Minoxidil Alternatives: What Can I Take to Boost Hair Growth and Density?
If you suffer from hair loss, you may have heard of minoxidil or Rogaine®. It is one of the best-known topical treatments for hair loss and can be a great solution for some people.
However, it is not the only option. Minoxidil can cause a variety of side effects, and for some people, over-the-counter and gentler products or even oral options are more appropriate. Here, we will review some Rogaine/minoxidil alternatives, including vitamins and minerals, other topical serums, other medications, and lifestyle changes.
First, let’s take a look at what minoxidil actually is.
What is minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a prescription medication that is applied directly to the scalp to stimulate hair growth in men and women suffering from certain types of baldness. In the United States, it is also known as Rogaine. According to the Cleveland Clinic, experts are not entirely sure why the drug works, but we seem to know that hair only grows when you take the drug and stops growing when you stop taking it. 1
Other possible side effects of minoxidil include itching or rash, burning sensation on the scalp, facial hair growth, facial swelling, or possible increased hair loss. Less common but more serious side effects may occur if too much of the drug is absorbed through the skin, such as blurred vision, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, flushing, irregular heartbeat, or rapid weight gain. 1
Vitamins and Minerals
Given the potential for side effects, it is important to note that minoxidil is a strong prescription drug that should only be taken under medical supervision. If you are looking for a less risky Rogaine/Minoxidil alternative, we recommend starting with vitamins and minerals that have been shown to work.
According to Harvard Health, the following vitamins and minerals have been shown to improve hair2:
Vitamin A
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B9 (folate)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Iron
Selenium
Zinc
Other studies show that ingredients like saw palmetto powder, horsetail powder, collagen, pantothenic acid, and essential amino acids like L-arginine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, and L-tyrosine can also help promote hair growth. 2, 3,4,5,6
You can get many vitamins and minerals through food. For example, vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits, and certain vegetables; B vitamins are found in meat, dairy products, grains, and various vegetables. 7 However, it’s difficult to get all the vitamins you need in optimal doses through diet alone—and it’s nearly impossible to get things like saw palmetto and horsetail powders.
That’s where nutritional supplements can help. Carefully formulated with precise doses of each ingredient, Foundation Skincare’s UnTangled dietary supplement has been shown to promote hair growth in a dose of two capsules per day. Unlike medications such as minoxidil, it does not cause initial hair loss and has no serious side effects.
Topical Treatments and Serums
As mentioned earlier, minoxidil is a prescription topical medication for hair loss, and when it comes to hair loss serums, the first thing that comes to mind is often Rogaine/Minoxidil. However, some people prefer over-the-counter medications.
Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum is a topical product that nourishes hair follicles and contains ingredients such as apple stem cells, olive leaf extract, Stimucap, and more that are proven to promote hair growth. Patients who used the hair serum saw reduced hair loss, more hair growth, and improved hair density after just three months of use.
For best results, we recommend combining the UnTangled dietary supplement with a hair serum. This should address the problem directly from within the hair follicle.
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are only a few major types of hair loss medications available in the United States. 8 These include:
Minoxidil (Rogaine): Rogaine/Minoxidil is a prescription medication. It is usually applied twice daily in foam or shampoo form while the hair is still damp. At least six months of treatment are needed to prevent further hair loss and promote hair growth. If it helps, you must continue taking the medication indefinitely to maintain the effects. 8
Finasteride (Propecia): This prescription medication for men is taken daily. After ingestion, hair loss may slow and new hair may begin to grow. As with minoxidil, you must continue taking it indefinitely to maintain the effects. Side effects may include decreased libido, decreased sexual function, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. 8
Spironolactone (Carospir/Aldactone): This medication was originally developed to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. However, studies have shown that it may also be effective in treating female pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia in women. 9
Oral dutasteride (Avodart): This prescription medication prevents the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that causes hair loss in both men and women. This medication is only used “off-label” to treat hair loss, meaning it’s not officially indicated for that purpose. 11
Lifestyle Adjustments
To truly address your hair loss in a comprehensive, long-term way, you’ll need to reconsider any lifestyle choices that are negatively impacting your hair. Some of the things we know can negatively impact your hair health (not to mention your overall health) include:
Smoking
Amount of alcohol consumed
Unhealthy diet
Too little movement
Nutritional deficiencies
Stress
Lack of sleep
Extreme weather conditions
Exposure to toxic chemicals
If you suffer from these issues on a regular basis, you need to address them first to get to the root of your hair loss problem. Additionally, your hair care routine should be gentle, especially if you suffer from hair loss.
When to see a professional
If your hair loss is sudden, patchy, or more severe than usual, you should see a doctor. Sudden hair loss can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment.
Minoxidil or Rogaine® may be a good solution for some people, but it’s not the only solution. Whichever option you choose, we recommend talking to your doctor first to make sure you’re not at risk for side effects or drug interactions.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
