Regaine Minoxidil Lotion 5% for men: dosage, results after 48 weeks and who makes Regaine

Regaine Lotion 5% for men is a liquid minoxidil solution (50 mg minoxidil per ml) for hereditary hair loss in men aged 18 to 65 years. You apply 1 ml to a dry scalp twice a day, with a maximum of 2 ml per day. According to the official product information, it can take 2 months or longer before you see the first hair growth, and in the registration study, men with the 5% lotion gained an average of 18.6 extra hairs per cm² after 48 weeks, compared to 3.9 with a placebo.^[1] Regaine is made by Kenvue, which sells the brand in America as Rogaine.^[3] In this blog you can read how to use the lotion, what it does per month costs, for whom it is not suitable and who is behind the brand.

In this article

• What is Regaine Lotion 5% for men?
• How do you use Regaine Lotion 5%?
• When do you see results with Regaine Lotion 5%?
• How much does Regaine Lotion 5% cost per month?
• Regaine lotion or foam: which is right for you?
• Who makes Regaine and Rogaine?
• Who is Regaine Lotion 5% not suitable for?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What is Regaine Lotion 5% for men?

Regaine Lotion 5% (in English "Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution") is the liquid version of Regaine for men. The lotion is intended for androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss in men: a receding hairline or a thinning crown.^[1]

What's in it? Per ml the lotion contains:^[1]

• 50 mg minoxidil, the active substance (5%).
• Approximately 281 mg alcohol (ethanol), which helps the lotion dry quickly.
• 500 mg propylene glycol, which helps dissolve the minoxidil. This excipient may irritate the skin of some people.
• Purified water.

One bottle contains 60 ml. If you use the lotion as directed (2 ml per day), 1 bottle will last you about a month.

How do you use Regaine Lotion 5%?

The product information gives a fixed dosage for men:^[1]

1. Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry.
2. Apply 1 ml to the entire area where your hair is thinning becomes. Start in the center of the thin area and spread the lotion.
3. Do this twice a day, for example in the morning and in the evening.
4. Do not use more than 2 ml per day. Applying more does not give better results, but it does increase the risk of irritation.
5. Wash hands after rubbing the lotion with your fingertips.

Let the lotion absorb before going to sleep or putting on a cap. Do you want to know how exactly to distribute minoxidil, even with longer hair? Then read our explanation about applying minoxidil in 6 steps.

The A-brand lotion

Regaine Lotion 5% for Men (3 months)

Three bottles of 60 ml minoxidil 5% with applicator, enough for about 3 months when used twice a day.

€109,99View Regaine lotion →

When will you see results with Regaine Lotion 5%?

Rely on patience. The product information says it may take 2 months or more before you see signs of hair growth, when used twice a day.^[1] In the study on which the 5% lotion is registered, researchers counted hairs in a fixed 1cm² area on the scalp. This is what the research showed:^[1]

That also means: not everyone responds equally well, and about 4 in 10 men saw no clear improvement in the photos in that study. Results vary per person and are not guaranteed.

How much does Regaine Lotion 5% cost per month?

Because 1 bottle lasts approximately a month, the price per month is the fairest point of comparison. These are the prices at Minodeals (November 2026):

Kirkland Lotion 5% contains the same active ingredient in the same concentration, but is approximately half the price per month. If you choose Regaine, you mainly pay for the original brand, the well-known applicator and the official product information. You can read the full difference in Rogaine or Regaine: what is the difference?

Lowest price per month

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% (6 months)

Also minoxidil 5% with pipette, for about €18 per month.

€109,99View Kirkland lotion →

Regaine lotion or foam: which is right for you?

Both contain 5% minoxidil for men. The main difference is the propylene glycol in the lotion. This excipient can cause skin irritation, and anyone who is sensitive to propylene glycol should not use the lotion.^[1] The Regaine foam does not contain propylene glycol.

• Choose the lotion if you want to dose precisely in small areas, such as inlets, or if you have short hair.
• Choose the foam if your scalp is itchy or flaky from lotion, or if you want the product to dry quickly in the morning.

Without propylene glycol

Regaine Foam 5% for Men (3 months)

Same brand and strength, as quick-drying foam.

€109,99View Regaine Foam →

Who makes Regaine and Rogaine?

Regaine and Rogaine are the same brand with a different name per region. On Kenvue's brand page they are listed together as "Rogaine / Regaine".^[3] In the American database of the FDA, Kenvue Brands is listed as the registration holder of Rogaine 2%.^[4] In Europe, the Regaine 5% lotion is registered to McNeil, part of the same group: McNeil Products Limited in the United Kingdom^[1] and McNeil Healthcare (Ireland) in Ireland.^[2]

A brief history according to the Rogaine brand site:^[5]

• 1988: the 2% solution for men comes onto the market, then still with a prescription.
• 1996: Rogaine becomes freely available in America.
• 1997: the 5% solution for men is launched.
• 2006: Johnson & Johnson takes over the brand about.

There is another change in the pipeline. In November 2025, Kenvue entered into an agreement under which Kimberly-Clark will acquire the company. The shareholders agreed in January 2026, but according to the quarterly report for the period up to the end of September 2026, the takeover had not yet been completed.^[6] For you as a user, nothing will change about the lotion itself for the time being.

For whom is Regaine Lotion 5% not suitable?

According to the product information, you use Regaine Lotion 5% not:^[1]

• if you under 18 or over 65 ;
• if you are a female : This lotion is for men only. There are separate products for women, such as Regaine Foam 5% for women (1 time per day) and Regaine Lotion 2% for women;
• for high blood pressure, even if it is being treated;
• for a hypersensitivity to minoxidil, alcohol or propylene glycol;
• on a irritated, burned, shaved or diseased scalp, for example with psoriasis;
• during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you have a heart condition or heart rhythm disorder, consult your doctor first. Stop immediately and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, fast heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, sudden weight gain, or swollen hands or feet.^[1]

The most commonly reported side effect is headache (affecting more than 1 in 10 users). Also common are itching, rash, inflammation of the skin and unwanted hair growth outside the scalp.^[1] Keep the bottle out of the reach of children: swallowing it can cause serious heart problems.^[1]

Are you losing hair suddenly, in spots or for no apparent reason? Then go to the doctor first. Minoxidil is intended for hereditary hair loss, not for hair loss due to, for example, the thyroid or alopecia areata.

Frequently asked questions

Is Regaine Lotion 5% the same as Rogaine Extra Strength?

Yes, it is the same brand with a different name. Both contain 5% minoxidil with alcohol, propylene glycol and water as a base, and the dosage is 1 ml 2 times a day.

How long does 1 bottle of Regaine Lotion 5% last?

One bottle contains 60 ml. At 2 ml per day it lasts about 30 days.

Can I use Regaine Lotion 5% as a woman?

No, according to the product information this lotion is only for men. Women can choose Regaine Foam 5% for women (1 time per day) or Regaine Lotion 2% for women. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I switch from Regaine lotion to Kirkland lotion?

Yes, as long as you stay at 5% and maintain the same dosage (1 ml, 2 times a day). Be sure to read the leaflet of the new product.

What happens if I stop taking Regaine?

The effect only lasts as long as you continue to use the product. If you see no improvement after a year, the product information recommends stopping.

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. electronic medicines compendium (emc), Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v, product information (SmPC, revised December 17, 2024) (English)
2. medicines.ie, Regaine Extra Strength 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution, McNeil Healthcare (Ireland) (English, accessed November 2026)
3. Kenvue, Our brands: Rogaine / Regaine (English, accessed November 2026)
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drugs@FDA: NDA 019501, Rogaine (for men and for women) (English, accessed November 2026)
5. Rogaine, About Rogaine: brand timeline (English, consulted November 2026)
6. Kenvue Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 2026 (English)