Minoxidil - Topical Hair Loss Treatment 100ml

Topical Minoxidil in the TrichoSol® Base (100ml)

Prescription topical minoxidil compounded in the TrichoSol® base by Fagron, a low-alcohol 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. At the standard 1ml daily dose, one bottle is roughly 100 days of use, a full three months per order. 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.

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 daily use. The higher concentration delivers more active per application and can help push past a plateau. 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. 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 ethanol for solubility. 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 low-alcohol, so it is much better tolerated on sensitive scalps. 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 1ml to affected areas of the scalp once daily. A dropper or spray applicator is included
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 nightly 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, low-alcohol 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: some people do this for a "belt and braces" approach. The extra benefit is usually modest and combining increases the risk of side effects. Discuss 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% or 0.025%) 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.