Is Minoxidil 12.5% an Effective Hair Loss Treatment?

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

I’m interested in trying a minoxidil based therapy to treat my progressive hair loss, and I’m wondering if I should investigate a higher solution product. Is a 12.5% minoxidil solution better, or should I stick with the proven 5% minoxidil solution?

Minoxidil is a “tried and true” hair loss medication that’s been proven quite effective for preventing and reversing progressive balding.

However, the level of minoxidil approved by the FDA is the 5% concentration found in solutions like Rogaine. While the key ingredient in the 12.5% solution is valid, I’m not certain whether or not the extra concentration of minoxidil is useful or should be tried above the tested 5% products.

Frankly, I simply haven’t reviewed any evidence suggesting higher minoxidil concentrations lead to better results, and the tested, proven solution (5%) is likely the most effective option.
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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