Minoxidil with No Propylene Glycol?

Doctor,

What do you think of minoxidil products sold by doctors with little or no propylene glycol? Do you think they’re still effective as long as minoxidil is the main active ingredient? (Tried Rogaine foam, very hard to apply through hair to the scalp)

It appears on the internet a large number of people are only using minoxidil once a day. Usually at nite. Do you see that at your practice? Are they having results or developing dependency?

Also, it appears I can only handle .5mg of Propecia due to side effects. I think you’ve stated it’s about 80% effective at that dose. Have you seen that 80% result in your clinical practice?

Thanks for taking the time everyday to answer everyone’s questions. I’ve learned more than anywhere else on this blog.

I don’t see why the lack of propylene glycol would make minoxidil ineffective. The propylene glycol is supposed to help the minoxidil penetrate the scalp better, but it isn’t used in the Rogaine Foam or in the Women’s Rogaine liquid (which is good for those that may have allergies to propylene glycol), so I’d expect that other delivery mechanisms, such as alcohol, work relatively well. I really have no opinion on the various ways the doctors make their minoxidil formulas. The recommended use is twice a day, but many people do use it once a day. I can not tell if once a day works across the board.

My comments on the 80% effectiveness of 1/2 mg of finasteride came out of a conversation I had with Dr. David Whiting (and might’ve been in something I read), not my own clinical study.