How much better is 5 % minoxidil than 2 % minoxidil ?

Both 5 % and 2 % minoxidil are available for treating genetic hair loss. The 2 % minoxidil was initially FDA approved in 1988 for male balding and this was followed by approval of the 5 % minoxidil for male pattern hair loss in 1997.

For men, the initial clinical studies showed that 5 % minoxidil was more effective than the 2 % minoxidil. 60 % of men have some benefit from the 5 % compared to just 40 % with the 2 % minoxidil. 23 % of men using the placebo in these studies also had benefit.

For women, clinical studies suggest 5 % and 2 % minoxidil have similar efficacy. The 5 % formulation is now formally FDA approved for use by women.