In the first rogaine studies it was found that the vehicle-alone-treated group showed about 40% (or so) of the increase in hair numbers of the vehicle plus minoxidil group. At first, it was thought that this was merely an artifact of the experimenters getting better at counting hair with time. Follow-up studies showed that it was a real effect. That is, the Rogaine vehicle stimulates some hair growth.

The vehicle is a combination of propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, and water. Of the three agents, the most likely hair growth stimulator is propylene glycol.

Mechanism ? It has been known since ancient times that agents effective against seborrheic dermatitis ( "tars", ketoconazole, etc. ) have some activity against pattern hair loss. Propylene glycol has some activity against seborrheic dermatitis.

Peter H. Proctor, PhD,MD

I would sum this up to say if you can tolerate the liquid and the greasy type feeling then use the liquid. Otherwise use the Foam.

Also I think that since Rogaine's original formula PATENT came up, they needed to come up with a new product, and since many had reactions to the liquid and the greasy complaint, it works out for everyone. WIN WIN situation.

How about use the liquid in the AM then use the Foam in the PM! That is of course if you can tolerate the liquid formula

Good thread...

__________________
My Hair Loss Weblog - Hair Transplant with Dr. Siporin

Actually in the paper that compared Rogaine 5% liquid, 2% liquid, and placebo, the placebo grew only 20% as many hairs as 5% (18.6 for Rogaine 5% versus 3.9 for placebo at 48 weeks).

There is a really interesting, weird contradiction in the problems with the vehicle. According to the same paper, Rogaine 5% liquid caused contact dermatitis in 6% of patients, while placebo (vehicle) caused contact dermatitis in 0% of patients. So if it was the vehicle that was causing contact dermatitis, you'd expect that the placebo and the 5% Rogaine would have the exact same % of patients with contact dermatitis, but they didn't. Which says to me it's not the vehicle that is the problem.

The contradiction is that 3 patients in the 5% liquid Rogaine group were withdrawn from the study due to contact dermatitis, and they had patch allergy tests done for allergy to propylene glycol, and 2 of the 3 were positive, the third was equivocal. So this tells me it is the vehicle that's the problem.

Confusing.

"A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men"

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Volume 47, Issue 3 (September 2002)

is it ok to use both liquid and foam? as someone said earlier one am and one pm?

thanks

Hey Steve514,

I can't see the harm in it. There is also data to suggest one application per day is just, or almost as successful as a twice per day application (personally, I still use it twice per day).

Thanks maxxy,
which do u use? foam or liquid?

steve

I'm actually back on the foam now but I have used the liquid in the past.