Regaine vs Kirkland: Which Minoxidil is Better?

What is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is the only medically approved topical treatment for baldness. It is most commonly sold under the brand name Regaine, or Rogaine in the US, however, it is also sold under various other brand names.

Minoxidil was originally used as a medication for the treatment of high blood pressure, but it is was also found to be an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness).

It is an antihypertensive vasodilator, and it is available as a topical medication, prescribed in either foam, liquid, or even oral tablet form. Minoxidil is also available over the counter, both online and offline, at licensed pharmacies.

Is Minoxidil Effective for Hair Growth?

A study of 11,000 people who used minoxidil for at least 1 year found that 92% said Rogaine/Regaine achieved fair to excellent results for slowing or stopping hair loss. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved an over-the-counter formula that contained a 2% solution of minoxidil.

5% solution is now available, but it is only recommended that men use this. 2% is usually sufficient for female use. It it thought that up to 8 out of 10 male and female users of minoxidil notice a slowing down of hair loss, but as far as hair regrowth goes, that percentage is much less.

What are Minoxidil's Side-Effects?

Topically applied minoxidil is generally well tolerated, but common side effects include itching of the scalp, along with skin redness or irritation. In rare cases, an increase of hair loss has been reported.

Other side effects may include skin rash, difficulty breathing, swelling around the ankles, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, headache, or unexplained weight gain. Much rarer side-effects include erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety.

What is the Best Minoxidil Brand?

There appears to be a common misconception with regards to minoxidil brands. Despite what various brands say or claim, the truth of the matter is this: Minoxidil is minoxidil, therefore the difference in effectiveness between each brand is minute, if at all.

Minoxidil is an additive that is used in various branded hair loss treatments. A brand must have a medical license to sell minoxidil, but once that is attained, it can be sold under any brand name, with a maximum of 5% solution.

Regaine/Rogaine has long since been the most high-profile minoxidil brand, as it has been advertised across a wide range of mediums over a number of years. It is even available in most major supermarket stores, which shows just how established it is as a brand, and how accessible it is.

The only problem with Regaine/Rogaine is its price - at £29.99 per month, it is perhaps the most expensive minoxidil brand on the market, but because very few people are unaware of its competitors, it is widely seen as the superior brand on the market, and therefore seen as the only worthwhile option to take.

Is Kirkland Minoxidil as Effective as Regaine?

Some brands use minoxidil in conjunction with various other ingredients, but much like Regaine/Rogaine, Kirkland contains pure minoxidil.

So, as far as the formula goes, Kirkland is identical to Regaine. The only major difference is its price - At around £15 per month, Kirkland can be purchased for half the price of Regaine, which is a considerable difference.

So, if both products are the same, why does Regaine outsell Kirkland substantially? David Griffiths explains, "Regaine is the bigger brand of the two, with more money, more recognition, and therefore it gains more trust in the market. This, despite the formula of the products being exactly the same."

Conclusion

If you're want to try minoxidil, or are already using Regaine/Rogaine, but find it too expensive, then the Kirkland brand offers you exactly the same solution as Regaine/Rogaine, for around half the price.

These brands are more or less the same thing, therefore when it comes to deciding which brand to go for, there are two things to consider; the solution %, and the price. 2% solution is for women, and 5% for men, respectively. As a price guide for pure minoxidil, you shouldn't really have to pay more than £15 per month when you purchase in 3-6 bottle quantities.

Regaine and Kirkland, as well various other minoxidil brands, are available to purchase from pharmacy registered online stores.