Minoxidil is the main pharmacy treatment for hereditary hair loss in Ireland, for men and for women. You will see it on our shelves as Regaine foam and as Sons 5% solution. It is a pharmacy medicine, so our pharmacists ask a few questions before selling it. Expect 2 to 4 months of regular use before you see a change, and a short burst of extra shedding early on.
First, is it pattern hair loss?
It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. Male pattern hair loss usually starts at the temples or crown and runs in families. Female pattern hair loss is a gradual thinning over the top of the head, and it can run in families too. These are the types minoxidil is licensed for.
Other kinds need a different approach. Shedding after an illness, a stressful period, weight loss, having a baby or iron deficiency usually stops on its own and grows back within months once you are well. The Regaine leaflets are clear that minoxidil is not for hair loss that is sudden or patchy, that follows childbirth, that has no family history, or where the cause is unknown.
How minoxidil works and what to expect
Minoxidil is applied to the scalp, not swallowed. It shifts hairs from the resting phase into the growing phase. The Regaine leaflets say it can take 2 to 4 months of twice-daily use before you see evidence of new growth.
The NHS notes that minoxidil does not work for everyone, and it only works for as long as you use it. If you stop, the leaflet says hair loss starts again and people return to how they looked before within about 3 to 4 months.
The shedding phase
About 2 to 6 weeks after starting, expect more hair in the shower or on the pillow. Old hairs in the resting phase fall out as new hairs push through in their place. The leaflets describe it as the first sign that minoxidil is acting, and it usually settles within a couple of weeks. If heavy shedding carries on for more than 2 weeks, stop and talk to your doctor.
Regaine foam, Regaine solution or Sons: which is which
| Product | Who it is licensed for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Regaine for Men Extra Strength 5% foam | Men aged 18 and over. Not for women. | 1g (half a capful) on the affected scalp twice a day. No more than 2g a day. |
| Regaine Extra Strength 5% solution | Men and women aged 18 to 65. | 1ml on the affected scalp twice a day. No more than 2ml a day. |
| Sons Minoxidil 5% solution | Men aged 18 to 65 with moderate male pattern hair loss. | 1ml to the affected area, measured with the pump as directed on the pack, twice a day about 12 hours apart. |
| Regaine for Women Extra Strength 5% foam | Women aged 18 and over with female pattern thinning. | 1g once a day on the top of the scalp. Keep the scalp dry for about 4 hours after. |
Minoxidil also comes as a 2% solution, but Irish pharmacies mostly stock the 5% strengths above. We stock Regaine for Women foam, Regaine for Men foam and the Regaine 5% solution in one and three month packs, listed below. The solution is flammable, so keep it away from naked flames.
How to apply it properly
- Start with a completely dry scalp and hair. On wet hair it dilutes and runs off.
- Apply the measured dose to the thinning area only and spread it with your fingertips.
- Wash your hands straight after. Minoxidil on other skin can cause unwanted hair growth there.
- Keep it away from children. Infants have grown extra hair after skin contact with a parent’s treated scalp, and swallowing minoxidil can cause serious heart problems.
Side effects and who should not use it
Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people) are headache, itching, dermatitis, an acne-like rash and unwanted hair growth, including facial hair in women. Uncommon ones include dizziness, eye irritation, palpitations, low blood pressure, nausea and swelling.
Stop using minoxidil and see a doctor if you get chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet, or persistent redness and irritation of the scalp.
- Do not use it if you are under 18, or if your scalp is red, inflamed, infected, sunburnt, irritated or painful. The solution is also not for a shaved scalp or scalp psoriasis.
- High blood pressure: the 5% solution is not to be used if you have treated or untreated high blood pressure. For the foam, talk to your doctor first.
- Heart disease or an irregular heartbeat: check with your doctor before starting any minoxidil product.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: minoxidil is not recommended. The men’s foam is not for women at all.
Finasteride and the other options
The NHS lists finasteride and minoxidil as the two main treatments for male pattern hair loss. Finasteride is a tablet and it is prescription only, so it needs a GP consultation. Women should not use finasteride. We dispense it on prescription but, as with all prescription medicines, we do not discuss prices here.
What about the rest of the shelf? The HSE is direct: no shampoo will help your hair regrow, and there is not enough evidence that vitamins and supplements work for hair loss. If a GP finds you are low in iron, treating that is what matters.
Minoxidil products at Laois Pharmacy
All minoxidil products are pharmacy medicines. Delivery is €6 anywhere in the Republic of Ireland, Monday to Saturday by DPD, or collect in Portlaoise.
5% solution, men 18 to 65
Sons Minoxidil 5% Cutaneous Solution 60ml
One month of 5% minoxidil solution with a pump applicator, for moderate male pattern hair loss. Apply 1ml to a dry scalp as directed on the pack.
1 month €31.50 or 3 months €54.95
Pharmacy medicine. Always read the leaflet.
5% foam, men 18 and over
Regaine for Men Extra Strength Foam, 3 Month Supply
Three cans of 5% minoxidil foam, enough for the 2 to 4 months it takes to judge results. Half a capful twice a day on a dry scalp.
€59.95
Pharmacy medicine. Not for women. Always read the leaflet.
Also in stock: Regaine for Women Extra Strength 5% Foam, 2 x 60g (€49.95), Regaine for Men Extra Strength Foam 73ml, one month (€39.95), Regaine Extra Strength 5% Solution 60ml (€37.95) and the 3 x 60ml three month pack (€64.95).
See the Regaine range, the Sons range and all hair care.
Not sure which type of hair loss you have?
Send us a photo on WhatsApp or call in. Our pharmacists will tell you whether minoxidil fits your pattern of loss, which product suits, and when a GP visit should come first.
Minoxidil and Regaine FAQs
Do I need a prescription for minoxidil in Ireland?
No. Regaine and Sons minoxidil are pharmacy medicines, so you can buy them without a prescription, but only from a pharmacy and after the pharmacist checks the product suits you. You must be 18 or over. Finasteride, the tablet treatment, is prescription only.
How long does Regaine take to work?
The leaflets say it can take 2 to 4 months of regular use before you see evidence of hair growth. The men’s foam leaflet advises stopping if there is no improvement after 4 months. For the solution, stop after 12 months in men or 8 months in women if there is no clear response.
Is shedding normal when you start minoxidil?
Yes. A temporary increase in shedding 2 to 6 weeks after starting is expected and usually settles within a couple of weeks. Old resting hairs fall out as new hairs grow in. If heavy shedding lasts more than 2 weeks, stop and talk to your doctor.
Can I stop minoxidil once my hair grows back?
If you stop, the new growth is lost and hair loss starts again. The leaflet says people return to their pre-treatment appearance within about 3 to 4 months of stopping. Minoxidil only works for as long as you keep using it.
Does minoxidil work for women?
Yes, for female pattern hair loss, the gradual thinning over the top of the head. The 5% solution is licensed for women aged 18 to 65 twice a day, and Regaine for Women 5% foam is used once a day. It is not for hair loss after childbirth, and it is not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The men’s foam is not for women.
Sources
- HSE, Hair loss. www2.hse.ie/conditions/hair-loss/
- NHS, Hair loss. www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength 5% w/w Scalp Foam, SmPC. medicines.ie
- Regaine Extra Strength 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution, SmPC. medicines.ie
- Regaine for Women Extra Strength 5% w/w Scalp Foam, SmPC. medicines.ie
This article is general information for people in Ireland. It is not a substitute for the leaflet in your pack or for personal advice from a pharmacist or GP.
