How Much Does Rogaine Cost?
Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is a common form of hair loss that affects an estimated 50 million men in the United States alone.
Thankfully, there are a number of treatments for this type of hereditary hair loss that can either slow down, prevent or reverse hair thinning, giving you reduced shedding, a fuller head of hair and a stronger hairline.
One of the most popular treatments for hair loss is Rogaine®, an over-the-counter medication that contains the active ingredient minoxidil.
So, how much does Rogaine cost? The price of Rogaine can vary based on whether you use the brand name medication or a generic alternative, as well as the specific place you select to buy your medication.
Below, we’ve talked about what Rogaine is, as well as how it works as a hair growth treatment and what you can expect to pay to add it to your hair loss prevention toolkit.
How Rogaine (and Minoxidil) Works for Thinning Hair
Before we get into the financial side of Rogaine as a hair loss medication, let’s quickly go over how it works to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
Hair loss can occur for a wide range of reasons, but the most common type of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia. This type of permanent hair loss occurs when a hormone referred to as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes your hair follicles to miniaturize, or shrink.
Over time, these miniaturized hair follicles spend less time in the growth phase of the hair cycle and more time in a dormant phase, resulting in weaker hairs and slowed growth.
Rogaine contains the active ingredient minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical medication that is believed to work by moving your hair follicles into the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle (a phase in which your hair grows to its full length) and increasing the amount of time each hair spends in this state.
It also appears to increase blood flow to your scalp, which may stimulate hair growth and give your hair follicles the nutrients required for optimal function.
Both brand name Rogaine and generic minoxidil come in two forms, including a liquid solution and a foam. They’re also available in two strengths — as a 2% version, which is often used for female pattern hair loss, and as a stronger 5% version, which is typically used by men.
Neither version of minoxidil requires a prescription, meaning you can easily purchase this hair loss treatment over the counter to use as part of your hair care routine.
Most importantly, minoxidil works. A review of minoxidil products published in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy affirmed that minoxidil can improve hair growth in men and women with a history of hair loss.
A separate study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that when used over a period of 48 weeks, minoxidil 2 percent and 5 percent solutions both caused improvements in hair count and overall hair regrowth in balding men.
Most research on minoxidil focuses on its benefits as a treatment for hair loss around the crown of your scalp. However, minoxidil can also be used on a receding hairline, as the hair follicles at the front of your scalp function in the same way as those around the crown.
Is Minoxidil Available Over the Counter?
Topical minoxidil solution and minoxidil foam — the forms of minoxidil you’ll want to use for most types of hair loss — are both available over the counter, meaning there’s no need to talk to your healthcare provider and receive a prescription to purchase them.
Minoxidil is also available as an oral hair loss medication. Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that it’s also effective at stimulating hair growth, with the authors noting that oral minoxidil is a “well-tolerated” alternative to topical minoxidil.
You may benefit from using oral minoxidil if you get side effects from minoxidil solution or foam, such as scalp irritation, flaky skin or an allergic reaction.
Currently, oral minoxidil requires a prescription, meaning you’ll need to talk to your primary care provider or schedule a consultation with a dermatologist if you’d like to use this form of minoxidil to improve your hair thickness.
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The Cost of Minoxidil & Brand Name Rogaine
How much does Rogaine cost? The cost of using minoxidil can vary greatly depending on your choice of minoxidil product and where you purchase your medication.
Brand name Rogaine is advertised for as much as $45 by some vendors. On the official website for Rogaine you can purchase the 5% solution for just under $30.
Pricing for generic minoxidil can also vary from vendor to vendor. We offer generic minoxidil at a cost of $15 per month, which is significantly less than typical brand name Rogaine prices. You can also look into the differences and similarities between Regenix vs Rogaine.
Is Minoxidil Covered by Insurance?
Minoxidil typically isn’t covered by insurance, at least when it’s in topical form as a treatment for hair loss. However, coverage for specific medication and other factors that affect drug costs can vary between health insurance plans, making it best to check with your provider.
The good news is that minoxidil is a very affordable medication, making it easy to use as part of your hair loss prevention routine even if it isn’t covered as part of your insurance plan.
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The Bottom Line on Minoxidil Prices
If you’re dealing with male pattern baldness and want to prevent it from getting worse, minoxidil can be a powerful addition to your toolkit.
Minoxidil is an affordable hair loss medication, with brand name Rogaine priced from just under $30 to around $45 and generic minoxidil available for $15 per month via our online platform.
We also offer other hair loss treatments, including medications like finasteride that can be used alongside minoxidil to stimulate the regrowth of hair and stop you from having to deal with male pattern baldness or patchy hair loss.
You can learn more about your options for treating hair loss in our guide to the best treatments for thinning hair.
You can also get started by taking part in a hair loss consultation to discuss your symptoms and access proven hair loss treatments online.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.