It happens to all of us, one way or another.
There will come a time when you notice your hair is thinning out in certain areas, or worse, large patches of bald spots on your head. Hair loss will manifest in different forms and severity in all men.
Hair loss does affect confidence and self-esteem negatively. Fortunately, there are already available medications for hair loss.
One of the most recommended medications for hair loss in men is minoxidil. This topical medication has shown to be effective in slowing down hair loss and could even stimulate its regrowth. Rogaine is a famous brand of minoxidil. Minoxidil is FDA-approved as a hair loss treatment. Hence, you are assured that this product very safe for use.
To use minoxidil, apply it to your scalp twice daily. It would be best if you continue using this product constantly for a few months to get its full benefits. With this, you can definitely regain your confidence as your hair will stop thinning and could get back to its healthy volume.
How does minoxidil work? Experts say that this medication increases blood circulation in the scalp area. Therefore, nutrients are better delivered to the site, which helps address the hair loss concern.
TWO FORMS OF MINOXIDIL: FOAM AND LIQUID
Minoxidil is a promising hair loss medication, and it comes in two forms. It is sold either in liquid form or foam form. Each formulation is available in two concentrations: 2% and 5%.
2% minoxidil is considered the standard strength form, while 5% is the more potent form. Research suggests that 5% minoxidil is more effective due to a higher minoxidil concentration. Moreover, men had 45% more hair regrowth using the 5% minoxidil concentration.
Between the two forms, a notable difference is the propylene glycol content. This alcohol content is only present in the liquid form of minoxidil. This serves as a vehicle for the minoxidil concentrate. However, there are reports of hypersensitivity and allergy to this substance.
Now that you know the background on minoxidil as a hair loss treatment, let us now compare the two based on some parameters so that we can assess which of them is the better formulation.
FOAM OR LIQUID: WHICH IS BETTER?
Price
The first parameter for assessing which is a better formulation is the price. As mentioned earlier, minoxidil needs religious applications which need to be sustained up to months. If this is not adhered to, your hair loss will not get better. Therefore, you need a formulation that you can afford in the long run.
Between liquid and foam, liquid minoxidil is the cheaper choice. In addition to the price, a downside of foams is that it needs to cover the whole scalp for it to work. Therefore, you need to dispense more products and consume more. Since foams do not have dropper packaging, estimating the dispensed amount is tricky. All these contribute on top of the already higher cost of the foam minoxidil.
Ease of Use
Each formulation has its pros and cons on this parameter. The foam is denser, while the liquid formulation is more precise to apply. It now depends on the case of hair loss that you have. For large spots, foam is more straightforward to use due to its density. However, if you have long hair around the thin or bald areas, the liquid would be better for you.
Overall, the foam formulation of minoxidil is easier to use since it is less messy to apply.
Convenience and Aesthetics
In terms of convenience, foam is generally better than the liquid form. Comfort is crucial because you need to do this every day! You would want to avoid unnecessary hassle, which can hinder you from using the product efficiently.
Foam has a thicker consistency. So, it will not drip everywhere and will save your clothes from minoxidil stains.
Users of minoxidil liquid complain of greasiness and oiliness after application. This is a problem, especially if you have errands to work on and you need to go out.
On this parameter, the foam formulation is better since the skin quickly absorbs it. The oiliness and greasiness are significantly less with the foam minoxidil. Moreover, if you like styling your hair, the foam will be highly recommended to you.
Hypersensitivity and Side Effects
This parameter is significant for men with sensitive skin. Some men exhibit allergic reactions to liquid minoxidil due to its propylene glycol content. For liquids, propylene glycol acts as the vehicle for the minoxidil components. Side effects of propylene glycol include redness and contact dermatitis.
On the contrary, the foam formulation does not have this alcohol content. However, be aware that hypersensitivity cannot be ruled out. You may be allergic to other ingredients or maybe minoxidil itself!
Make sure to have your doctor guide you, especially if you experience some allergic reaction to using minoxidil.
Conclusion: Foam or Liquid? The Verdict
As you have seen, it is clear how the foam formulation dominated these parameters. In short, foam formulation of minoxidil is superior to liquid. This conclusion is based on effectivity and cosmetic perspectives. Foam is also a better choice for men with very sensitive skin. Moreover, it is easier to use and overall more comfortable.
Liquid minoxidil is also effective as a hair loss treatment. However, we need more medical data to support the claim that liquid is better than foam minoxidil. Theories are stating that the liquid form is more potent than the foam. This may be because liquid stimulates more hair to grow since it increases more blood flow to the area. But, this is only a theory and needs more evidence.
The bottom line for choosing either foam or liquid minoxidil would be personal preference and medical opinion. Some doctors would prescribe liquid first since they are cheaper. Then, as you use the product, you can observe if it already works for you or if you need to move to another minoxidil product.
