Rogain is the only FDA approved hair loss treatment apart from Propecia that is available over the counter. It is a household name As the only FDA approved, over the counter hair loss treatment, Rogain has become a household name. It has also had many scientific studies done about it. Originally it was called Minoxidil and was applied to the skin as a treatment for high blood pressure. It was found during the usage that people where getting extra hair growth. After researchers found out about this unexpected side effect, a topical solution was created which was used to treat hair loss. Topical Minoxidil (Rogain) has been shown to stimulate hair growth on the crowns of men's heads, while with women, Rogain has been found to increase hairs in the forehead region.
Rogain themselves have shown that Rogain has shown to produce some hair growth in 33% of men. This was the result of a survey conducted by the makers of Rogain. Interestingly enough it was found that the placebo treatment where no Rogain was administered produced hair growth in one fifth or 20% of the people in the study. This may explain why so many herbal treatment proliferate and have people seeing results with them they have 1/5 chance of something working even if it is just water in the bottle. In other clinical trials it has been noted that over 55% of men had an improvements in the hair loss. Also it seems that Rogain works best on younger men whose hair loss has not gone on for more than 10 years. It is important to note that according to guidelines by the government, there is currently no treatment which is guaranteed to halt hair loss and to promote hair growth. The lower dosage 2% can be used by women, it is not advised to use the 5% version as it may result in increased facial hair.
On a monthly basis Rogain will cost about $30-$40, this adds up to $400-$500 a year. The manufacturers of Rogain explain that it can take up to two years for treatment before effects are properly seen, although most people should see results after six months.
Unfortunately the hair growth effects of Rogain will recede as soon as Rogain is no longer applied, this means that once stopped the thinning will return.