Minoxidil - Topical Hair Loss Treatment 100ml

Topical Minoxidil in the TrichoSol® Base (100ml)

Prescription topical minoxidil compounded in the TrichoSol® base by Fagron, an alcohol free and propylene glycol free vehicle. Custom strengths from 2% up to 15%. Ideal for people who have had scalp irritation with standard alcohol-and-glycol solutions, and for anyone plateaued at 5% who wants a higher strength.

100ml UK supply, made fresh in the UK

Our topical minoxidil comes in a 100ml bottle. One 100ml bottle is about a three month supply per order. Your pharmacy label sets how much to use and how often, and it takes priority over any general guidance here. Reorders take 60 seconds from your profile.

Every bottle is compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy in the TrichoSol® base from Fagron. The formula is prepared to order at the strength your prescriber approves, so you get the right vehicle and the right concentration without settling for what happens to be sitting on a shelf.

How topical minoxidil works for hair loss

Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener. Applied to the scalp, it improves microcirculation around hair follicles and prolongs the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle. Miniaturising follicles get more time in growth, producing thicker, longer hairs and greater density over months.

Topical application delivers the drug locally to the scalp with minimal systemic absorption, so systemic side effects are rare compared with oral minoxidil. Response depends on daily discipline, individual skin absorption, and the sulphotransferase enzyme (which converts topical minoxidil to its active form in the scalp).

Choosing your topical minoxidil strength

Topical minoxidil comes in a range of strengths. The right one for you depends on your hair loss pattern, your response to previous minoxidil use, and your skin tolerance. Your prescriber will confirm which strength is appropriate on review.

The TrichoSol® base contains no alcohol, so the 2% and 5% strengths are alcohol free. From 6% upwards a small amount of ethanol is added to keep the minoxidil dissolved at the higher concentration.

Topical minoxidil 2%

The gentlest strength, traditionally the OTC women's dose. Suitable if you have sensitive skin, are new to minoxidil, or want the mildest option. Response is usually slower than at 5%.

Topical minoxidil 5%

The standard men's dose and the most researched concentration. This is the strength used in most published clinical trials on topical minoxidil for male pattern hair loss. If you are starting out and want to match what the evidence base uses, 5% is the standard choice.

Topical minoxidil 10%

A step up for men who have plateaued at 5% after six months or more of consistent use. The higher concentration delivers more active per application and can help push past a plateau. Contains a small amount of added ethanol to keep the minoxidil in solution. Slightly higher risk of scalp irritation than 5%.

Topical minoxidil 12.5%

A further escalation for confirmed non-responders after six months at 10%. Not a starting strength. If you have plateaued at 10% topical and are considering a step up, discuss with your prescriber whether 12.5% or 15% topical is the right next step, or whether switching to oral minoxidil (5mg or 2.5mg) is a better fit. Contains a small amount of added ethanol to keep the minoxidil in solution. We do not stack oral and topical minoxidil together: same drug, two delivery routes, no meaningful additional benefit.

Topical minoxidil 15%

The maximum practical topical strength. Contains a small amount of added ethanol to keep the minoxidil in solution. Reserved for confirmed non-responders after trying lower strengths, and should only be started under prescriber guidance.

Why the TrichoSol® base matters

Standard 5% minoxidil solutions use propylene glycol and high-alcohol vehicles that commonly cause scalp itching, redness, dryness and contact dermatitis. The TrichoSol® base by Fagron is a water-based compounding vehicle that is propylene glycol free and alcohol free, so it is much better tolerated on sensitive scalps. At 2% and 5% the finished solution is alcohol free as well. From 6% upwards a small amount of ethanol is added to keep the minoxidil in solution. This matters because minoxidil only works if you use it daily; if it makes your scalp itch or flake you will stop, and no dose works if you stop applying it.

How to apply

1. Wash and dry your scalp before application (or apply to dry scalp between washes)

2. Apply to the affected areas of the scalp. Your pharmacy label sets how much to use and how often, and it takes priority over any general guidance here. A 1ml pipette is supplied with your bottle

3. Massage gently into the scalp with clean fingertips

4. Wash your hands after application

5. Allow the solution to dry before styling or sleeping (10 to 20 minutes)

Consistency matters more than technique. Missing days slows progress, particularly in the early weeks.

What to expect

• 4 to 6 weeks: initial shedding is normal and a sign the treatment is working (follicles cycling into anagen)

• 2 to 3 months: reduced shedding stabilises

• 4 to 6 months: visible thickening and regrowth judged

• 12 months: full effect. Results plateau and are maintained with continued use

• On stopping: hair gained is gradually lost over several weeks as the growth stimulus is removed

Side effects

Topical minoxidil in the TrichoSol® base is well tolerated by most people because it avoids the propylene glycol and high-alcohol content that cause irritation with standard 5% solutions.

Common (roughly 1 in 10)

• Mild scalp irritation, redness or itching after application

• Initial hair shedding in the first 4 to 8 weeks. Temporary and a normal sign the treatment is working

Uncommon (roughly 1 in 100)

• Localised facial hair growth by contact transfer if solution reaches the forehead, temples or cheeks. Careful application avoids this

• Contact dermatitis, more common with propylene glycol-based products than with the TrichoSol® base

Rare (less than 1 in 1,000)

• Lightheadedness on standing (very unusual at topical doses)

• Palpitations or racing heart (very unusual at topical doses)

When to seek urgent medical advice

• Signs of allergic reaction: facial or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rash

• Persistent chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness

• Sudden significant ankle or leg swelling

Who should not use topical minoxidil

• Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding

• Do not apply to broken skin or an inflamed scalp; wait for the scalp to heal first

• Known allergy to minoxidil

• Under 18

Warnings and precautions

• TrichoSol® base: the propylene glycol free, alcohol free vehicle reduces the scalp irritation commonly reported with standard 5% solutions. Ideal for anyone who has stopped a standard minoxidil solution because of scalp reactions

• Contact transfer: do not touch your face after applying without washing your hands. Do not let the solution drip onto your forehead or temples

• Combining with oral minoxidil: we do not supply oral and topical minoxidil together. It is the same drug by two routes, so the combined dose is unquantified and there is no added benefit. Choose one route with your prescriber

• Sulphotransferase response: around 30 to 40% of people have low sulphotransferase enzyme activity, which converts topical minoxidil to its active form. Poor responders after 6 months at 5% often benefit from switching to oral minoxidil, adding tretinoin (which raises sulphotransferase activity), or moving to a higher topical strength

Combining topical minoxidil with other hair loss treatments

Topical Minoxidil is a compounded bottle. You can add tretinoin directly to it, or step up to a SOL bottle that includes a DHT blocker in the same 100ml.

• Add tretinoin to the bottle (0.01%) if you know you are a slow minoxidil responder. Tretinoin raises sulphotransferase activity in the scalp, which can improve minoxidil response. Available as an add on when you configure Topical Minoxidil.

• Add a topical DHT blocker in one bottle: rather than running two separate bottles, upgrade to FINASOL (finasteride + minoxidil + tretinoin) or DUTASOL (dutasteride + minoxidil + tretinoin). The DHT blocker addresses the cause of pattern hair loss, minoxidil the growth side.

• Want the widest active palette? Our Custom Topical Solution compounds finasteride or dutasteride with minoxidil, tretinoin, melatonin, spironolactone and other actives in one bottle. One DHT blocker per formula (finasteride or dutasteride, never both).

• Prefer an oral DHT blocker with your topical minoxidil? See Finasteride 1mg tablets or Dutasteride 0.5mg capsules. Oral DHT block plus topical minoxidil is the classic evidence backed regimen.

Prescription included

Complete the short online health questionnaire at checkout. A UK prescriber reviews your answers; most approvals are the same day. Your bottle is compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered UK partner pharmacy and delivered free.

Comparing branded minoxidil? Our Regaine alternatives guide explains why the £30 branded 3-month pack costs 4× the same active in Kirkland or a compounded topical.

Topical minoxidil vs Regaine, Rogaine and Kirkland

Branded 5% minoxidil solutions on the UK market (Regaine Extra Strength for Men, Rogaine, Kirkland Signature 5%) all deliver the same 5% minoxidil active. Where they differ is the vehicle the minoxidil is compounded in and the price per bottle.

• Regaine 5% (Perrigo, UK): pharmacy standard, 3 month pack around £30 to £38 depending on retailer. Vehicle is standard alcohol plus propylene glycol solution. Well tested but frequently causes scalp itching and flakes on sensitive skin.

• Kirkland Signature 5% (Costco / Amazon import): same 5% minoxidil in a similar alcohol and propylene glycol base. Cheapest per month by a wide margin (roughly £6 to £8/month at 6 or 12 month packs). See our Kirkland genuine vs fake guide for how to verify import bottles.

• Rogaine 5%: the US brand name for the same 5% minoxidil that sells as Regaine in the UK. Same manufacturer group in some regions. Only available to UK customers via import.

• Our topical minoxidil in TrichoSol®: 5% or higher minoxidil in Fagron's TrichoSol® base, which is free of alcohol and propylene glycol. Gentler on the scalp, and no visible white residue. Priced from £55 for 100ml (3 months), similar per month to Regaine but with much better scalp tolerance.

Bottom line: if standard 5% minoxidil works for you and you tolerate propylene glycol, Kirkland is the cheapest and Regaine is the pharmacy default. If your scalp itches, flakes or burns on standard minoxidil, or you have a confirmed propylene glycol allergy, our TrichoSol® base is the reason to switch. Comparing branded minoxidil more broadly? Our Regaine alternatives guide covers this in full.

Clinical evidence for topical minoxidil

Minoxidil has 40+ years of clinical evidence for treating androgenetic (pattern) hair loss. Key findings that inform how we prescribe:

• 5% is more effective than 2% in men. The 2004 Olsen trial in men found 5% produced 45% more visible regrowth than 2% at 48 weeks, with a modest increase in local irritation.

• 2% is the female standard. Historically 2% was the recommended female strength because of concerns about facial hair (hypertrichosis) at 5%. Modern practice increasingly uses 5% in women too under prescriber guidance.

• Response takes months. Meaningful shedding reduction typically at 8 to 12 weeks. Visible regrowth judged at 4 to 6 months. Full effect at 12 months of consistent use.

• Non responder rate. Roughly 30 to 40% of people have low scalp sulphotransferase enzyme activity, which is needed to convert topical minoxidil to its active form (minoxidil sulphate). This subgroup benefits from higher topical strengths (10% and above), switching to oral minoxidil, or adding tretinoin to raise sulphotransferase activity.

• Compounded higher strengths. 10% and 15% topical minoxidil have less randomised trial data than 5%, but observational studies and dermatology practice suggest useful additional response in confirmed 5% non responders.

• Effect stops when treatment stops. Any gained hair is lost over 6 to 12 months once minoxidil is discontinued. The follicle miniaturisation cycle resumes.

Regulatory status in the UK

Standard 5% minoxidil solutions and foams (Regaine, Rogaine, Kirkland) are sold in the UK as pharmacy (P) or general sale list (GSL) products, meaning no prescription is required.

Our topical minoxidil in TrichoSol® is different in one important way: because we compound it to prescription in custom strengths (2%, 5%, 10%, 12.5% or 15%) in a non-standard base, it is dispensed as a prescription only medicine (POM) rather than off the shelf. This is why the checkout includes a short medical questionnaire reviewed by a UK GPhC registered prescriber.

The active ingredient (minoxidil) is MHRA licensed as Regaine 5%. The compounded solution we dispense is a Special (a UK term for medicines prepared to prescriber order to meet the specific clinical needs of an individual patient), prepared for us by a GPhC registered UK compounding pharmacy.

Storage and shelf life

• Store at room temperature (below 25°C), away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets.

• Do not refrigerate. Cooling changes the solution properties and can affect the pipette.

• Shelf life: usually 6 months from the date of dispensing, though a shorter date occasionally applies. Always use by the date on your pharmacy label. A 100ml bottle is designed to be finished within about 3 months, well inside the expiry window.

• After first use: keep the cap tightly closed between applications. The TrichoSol® base contains no alcohol, so the 2% and 5% strengths have nothing to evaporate. Strengths above 5% carry a little added ethanol, so keep the cap closed; it also protects the minoxidil from oxidation.

• Do not use if the solution has changed colour (a slight yellow tint is normal, dark brown is not) or if there is visible sediment. Contact us for a replacement.

Excipients: what is in the TrichoSol® base

The active ingredient is minoxidil (at 2%, 5%, 10%, 12.5% or 15% depending on the strength you and your prescriber choose). The rest of the 100ml is the compounding vehicle.

TrichoSol® is a water based solution from Fagron. Their published ingredient list is: Aqua, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Lavandula Officinalis Water, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil.

• Contains a trace of fragrance (parfum). If you have a known fragrance allergy, tell your prescriber before ordering.

• Ethanol is not an ingredient of the TrichoSol® base, so the 2% and 5% strengths are alcohol free. From 6% upwards a small amount of ethanol is added to keep the minoxidil in solution. Low enough that most people who irritate on Regaine or Rogaine tolerate it fine.

• Preservative: phenoxyethanol. No parabens and no benzalkonium chloride.

• No propylene glycol. Standard minoxidil solutions use 50%+ propylene glycol as the vehicle, which is the single most common cause of scalp irritation. TrichoSol® is propylene glycol free.

• No artificial colour. Solution is faintly yellow to clear.

The full ingredient list is provided on the dispensing label. If you have a known allergy to any excipient, tell your prescriber before ordering and they will confirm suitability.