What is Regaine?

Table of Contents

• How Does Regaine Work?
• Can Men and Women Use Regaine?
• How Much Does Regaine Cost?
• What Are The Side Effects of Regaine?
• How Effective is Regaine?
• Is There an Alternative to Regaine?

How Does Regaine Work?

Regaine is the brand name for a scalp treatment used to treat hereditary hair loss. The active ingredient in Regaine is Minoxidil, the only over-the-counter ingredient scientifically proven to help stop and reverse hereditary hair loss. [2] Regaine and Minoxidil are also approved by the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) in the UK.

Minoxidil works by:

• Reversing the process of shrinking hair follicles
• Increasing blood flow around the affected hair follicles
• Stimulating the hair follicles to the growth phase
• Enhancing the growth phase - leading to longer and fuller hair

Minoxidil is available in four different types:

• Topical 2% or 5% solution
• Topical 5% foam
• Topical 6% solution
• Oral prescription tablets

Hair grows in three cycles: growth phase, transitional phase and resting phase. With hereditary hair loss, the affected hair follicles shrink and the growth phase is decreased, leading to hair thinning and shedding. As of yet, researchers don’t fully understand how Minoxidil works to stimulate hair follicles or enhance the growth phase. [3]

Can Men and Women Use Regaine?

Regaine can be used by both men and women with hereditary hair loss. Regaine products come in a men's range and a women’s range.  For men aged 18 to 49 years, Regaine is available as a 5% topical foam. For men aged between 18 and 65, it comes in a topical 5% solution. For women aged between 18 and 65, it comes in a 2% topical solution or 5% topical foam. Similar to other hair loss treatments and medications, Regaine is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The usage dosage for the topical solution is 1ml and half a capful for the topical foam which is applied and lightly massaged into the affected scalp area twice daily. It is recommended to leave at least 12 hours between applications. Dosages can vary depending on the product range. Before using Regaine, always follow the instructions on the product information leaflet.

Do not use Regaine if you: [4]

• Have hair loss caused by a drug treatment
• Are unsure if your hair loss is hereditary
• Have hair loss that is sudden and unexpected
• Have total baldness or complete loss of all body hair
• Have high blood pressure (even if untreated)
• Have a shaved scalp
• Have an irritated, inflamed or sunburnt scalp
• Have a scalp condition such as psoriasis or using any kind of cream, lotion or ointment to treat it
• Have any type of dressing or bandage on your scalp

How Much Does Regaine Cost?

Regaine is available to purchase over the counter without a private prescription. Leading UK pharmacies charge between £25 to £37 for a 60ml bottle of topical solution (1-month supply) or between £30 to £34 for a 73ml can of topical foam (2-month supply).

What Are The Side Effects of Regaine?

Regaine can potentially cause side effects such as:

• Headaches
• Contact dermatitis
• Unwanted non-scalp hair growth
• Nausea
• Change in hair texture or colour
• Skin dryness, itching or burning
• Rashes
• Temporary hair loss

Not all users will experience side effects. If side effects do occur, they often disappear with continued use. Some individuals may be allergic to Minoxidil or another ingredient found in Regaine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat
• Skin rash
• Hives (lumps under the skin)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 

If you or a loved one experiences an allergic reaction, stop using Regaine and get medical assistance immediately. 

How Effective is Regaine?

Regaine has been proven to show effective results in heredity hair loss. In a clinical study, 352 men aged between 18 and 49 years were randomly selected to apply Regaine topical 5% foam twice daily. After 16 weeks, 9 out of the 10 men reported hair growth improvement. In another clinical study, it was found that 8 out of 10 women reported hair regrowth after applying Regaine For Women Once A Day foam for the same period. [2]

Is There an Alternative to Regaine?

Aside from over-the-counter scalp treatments, prescription medications can also be taken to treat hereditary hair loss in men. Finasteride 1mg is typically the first-line medication prescribed by doctors for patients with male androgenetic alopecia. It comes in oral tablets and one tablet is taken daily. Some individuals may find it easier to take Finasteride orally than applying a Regaine topical solution or foam.

If you’re unsure about Regaine or Finasteride, speak with your healthcare provider to determine the right medication or treatment for your specific needs.

Sources

1. Ho CH, Sood T, Zito PM. (2024). Androgenetic Alopecia. Retrieved on 28th August 2024, from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28613674/
2. Regaine. (2019). How Regaine Works? Retrieved on 28th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-regaine-works
3. Regaine. (2019). How Minoxidil Works? Retrieved on 28th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-minoxidil-works
4. Regaine. (n.d.). Product Information Leaflet: Regaine For Women Once A Day Scalp Foam. Retrieved on 28th August 2024, from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5082.pdf

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.