Choose Plantur 39 or minoxidil if your hair is thinning

If you want thinning hair to become fuller again, then minoxidil is the better informed choice of the two. Plantur 39 is a caffeine shampoo and tonic from Dr. Wolff for women from about 40 years. It nourishes the hair and scalp, but we found no published study with Plantur 39 itself, and the study on caffeine against hair loss only included 30 women in total^[1]. Minoxidil has been studied in women in 8 studies involving 1,242 participants, with an average small but measurable effect on hair density^[2]. Plantur 39 is cheaper and has no package leaflet with contraindications; Minoxidil requires more discipline and is not suitable for everyone. Below you can read per point what the difference is and when to choose which one.

Contents

• What is Plantur 39 and how would it work?
• What does the research say about Plantur 39 and minoxidil?
• How do Plantur 39 and minoxidil differ at a glance?
• When do you choose Plantur 39 and when minoxidil?
• What can you expect from minoxidil and when?
• Which minoxidil for women is right for you?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What is Plantur 39 and how would it work?

Plantur 39 is a line of the German Dr. Wolff, the same company that makes Alpecin. The line includes Phyto-Caffeine shampoos for fine or colored hair, a conditioner and a tonic. You can find the products at regular drugstores. At Etos, a 250 ml shampoo costs €11.95^[6] and the 200 ml tonic has a recommended retail price of €11.95 (online sometimes around €9.50)^[7].

The idea behind the brand: around the age of 40, estrogen decreases, making hair follicles more sensitive to the influence of testosterone. Caffeine is said to counteract the depletion of hair production. According to a British seller of the brand, caffeine penetrates the hair follicle within 2 minutes during washing^[8]. Apply the tonic once a day to wet or dry hair and massage into the scalp; In addition to caffeine, it contains niacinamide, panthenol, glycerine, alcohol and perfume^[5].

Important to know: Plantur 39 is a cosmetic. A dermatologist from Erasmus MC pointed out in the consumer program Radar that there is insufficient scientific evidence that caffeine works in hair follicles that are still in the scalp, and that cosmetics fall under the NVWA, so extensive preliminary research is not mandatory^[3]. In the same item she mentioned minoxidil lotion as a remedy that works against hereditary hair loss in women.

What does the research say about Plantur 39 and minoxidil?

Caffeine. A systematic review from 2025 listed all clinical studies of caffeine against hair loss: 9 studies with a total of 684 participants. Of these, there were only 30 women, all in one open study without a control group for temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium), so not for hereditary hair loss. The quality of evidence was very low in 5 studies, low in 1 and moderate in 3. The authors do conclude that caffeine preparations appear safe and may have an effect, but with these limitations^[1]. Plantur 39 itself does not appear in the review. You can read more about the study in men, in which a caffeine lotion was compared with minoxidil 5%, in our blog Alpecin or minoxidil.

Minoxidil. The Cochrane overview of treatments for hereditary hair loss in women found 8 studies with 1,242 participants in which minoxidil was compared with a placebo. On average, 13 hairs per cm² were added compared to placebo. Of women on minoxidil, about 26% reported moderate to marked regrowth, compared with about 14% on placebo. The researchers call minoxidil effective and safe, with evidence of moderate to low quality^[2]. To be honest: even with minoxidil, not everyone gets a noticeably fuller head of hair. The difference is that the effect here has been measured in controlled research in women.

How do Plantur 39 and minoxidil differ at a glance?

In the table we place Plantur 39 next to the minoxidil that women most often choose. Prices of Plantur 39 were looked up on November 7, 2026 and may differ per store.

Plantur 39 wins on price and convenience: no package leaflet with warnings like with minoxidil and you pick it up at the drugstore. Minoxidil wins on substantiation. That is why we recommend minoxidil if your hair is really thinning, and not just feels finer or drier.

Our recommendation for women

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% for women

1 foam on the scalp once a day, 1 bottle lasts about 2 months.

from €39.99View the foam →

When to choose Plantur 39 and when minoxidil?

• Plantur 39 fits if your hair feels finer, drier or more lifeless, you do not see clear bald spots or wider separation and you are looking for a nourishing shampoo. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, minoxidil is not an option; In case of hair loss during that period, consult your midwife or GP.
• Minoxidil is suitable if your parting becomes wider or you slowly see more scalp on top of the head. That is the typical picture of hereditary hair loss in women. Do you recognize this? Also read the signs of hereditary hair loss in women.
• Go to the doctor first in case of sudden, patchy or rapidly increasing hair loss, or if your hair falls out after childbirth, due to a thyroid problem or a deficiency. According to the package leaflet, minoxidil is not intended for hair loss with an unknown or hormonal cause or after childbirth^[4]. Plantur 39 does not solve such causes either.

What can you expect from minoxidil and when?

Minoxidil only works as long as you use it and requires patience. The package leaflet for a 5% foam describes this progression in women^[4]:

Stop immediately and contact your doctor if you experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, sudden weight gain, swollen hands or feet or persistent redness or irritation of the scalp^[4]. Always read the package leaflet first.

Which minoxidil for women suits you?

At Minodeals you have three routes for women. You use the 5% foam once a day; the 2% lotion is the classic women's dosage of 2 times a day. Foam is useful if you have little time or your hair quickly becomes greasy from lotion.

Classic 2% lotion

Foligain Minoxidil Lotion 2% for women

The well-known women's dosage of 1 ml, 2 times a day, for 3 months.

from €64.99View the lotion →

The original brand

Regaine Minoxidil Foam 5% for women

1 foam per day, 4 month packaging.

from €99.99View Regaine →

Frequently asked questions

Can you use Plantur 39 and minoxidil together?

You can simply use the Plantur 39 shampoo as a shampoo in addition to minoxidil; wash your hair at a different time than when you apply minoxidil. If you want to leave the tonic and minoxidil both on the scalp, ask your pharmacist first. No research has been done into that combination, and two products with alcohol can irritate a sensitive scalp more quickly.

Does Plantur 39 help with hair loss during menopause?

The brand focuses on women around and after menopause, but we found no published study that shows that Plantur 39 ensures regrowth. If your hair falls out significantly more during menopause, first have the cause checked by your doctor.

Is minoxidil 5% foam suitable for women?

Yes, there is 5% foam specifically for women, which you apply once a day with approximately 1 gram of foam^[4]. It is not suitable for pregnancy, breastfeeding, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or blood pressure lowering and under the age of 18.

How long should you try it before you judge?

Give minoxidil for at least 3 to 6 months; If you see no effect after 6 months, the advice is to stop.^[4]. For Plantur 39, the distributor mentioned 4 to 6 months for the best results^[3].

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of November 2026.

Sources

1. Szendzielorz E, Spiewak R. Caffeine as an Active Ingredient in Cosmetic Preparations Against Hair Loss: A Systematic Review of Available Clinical Evidence. Healthcare, 2025 (English)
2. Van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Schoones J. Interventions for female pattern hair loss. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016 (English)
3. Radar, AVROTROS. 'Hair loss is caused by diseases, radiation and stress', September 2017
4. Medicine Information Bank (CBG). Package leaflet Minoxidil Bipharma 50 mg/g foam for cutaneous use
5. Boots. Plantur 39 Phyto Caffeine Tonic 200ml, instructions for use and ingredients, accessed November 7, 2026 (English)
6. Etos. Plantur 39 shampoo, accessed November 7, 2026
7. The Online Drugstore. Plantur 39 products and prices, accessed November 7, 2026
8. Chemist Direct. How does Plantur 39 work?, accessed November 7, 2026 (English)