Women's Thinning Hair FAQ

Absolutely. The Canadian Dermatology Association estimates 40% of women experience signs of thinning hair by age 50. This can be caused by several factors including your genetics, hormone levels, and aging.

Back to top

The most common cause of thinning hair in women is a condition known as female pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It’s a condition that causes changes to your hair follicles due to genetics, hormones, and age. It can cause your hair follicles to shrink over time – so while your hair may still be growing, it will eventually become smaller, finer, and less visible, until new hair is no longer produced.

However, many natural factors can contribute to thinning hair, like pregnancy, stress, certain medications, conditions and diseases.

Back to top

While thinner hair becomes more common for women in their 30s or 40s, it can start as early as your 20s.

Back to top

A wider parting can be a telltale sign your hair is beginning to thin. You might also notice more hair on your pillow, or in the shower drain, and more roots in your hair brush.

If you are unsure whether you have these signs, talk to your pharmacist or physician to confirm that what you’re experiencing is female pattern hair loss and to find out if Women’s ROGAINE® is right for you.

Back to top

Although female pattern hair loss is the most common cause, there are several other possible causes:

* Temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, is associated with stress, diet, a hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, or a traumatic event that causes the hair follicles to remain in the resting state. This results in increased hair shedding and a temporary thinning of hair across the whole scalp.
* Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, is recognized by well-defined patches of hair loss. If you have no history of hair loss in your family and are experiencing this kind of hair loss, consult your doctor.

Back to top

Women’s ROGAINE® Foam 5% is the first topical treatment available in Canada that is clinically-proven to help regrow hair in women.

Back to top

Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Women’s ROGAINE® works, in part, by increasing the time that hair spends in its active growth phase – increasing the size of shrunken hair follicles so they can return to producing thicker, healthier hair. With more follicles in the growth phase at the same time, it’s possible to prevent and even reverse thinning hair.

Back to top

ROGAINE® Foam is used to treat hereditary hair loss and thinning in women over the age of 18. There are a few ways to tell whether Women’s ROGAINE® is right for you.

* You’ve noticed a gradual thinning of the hair on the top of your scalp, most noticeable around the part and toward the front of your hairline.
* Members of your immediate or extended family, both male and female, have experienced or are experiencing hair loss.

If you have no family history of thinning hair or hair loss, or your hair loss is patchy, we recommend you see your doctor.

Back to top

Results will vary from person to person, but the most important thing is to be patient. Clinical studies have shown that regrowth can occur as early as 4 months when using Women’s ROGAINE® Foam 5%. But it may take some people longer to start noticing results.

Your results and success will also depend on proper application and dosage – remember to apply ROGAINE® once every day, directly to the scalp. If you do not see any results after 6 months, speak with your doctor.

Note, those who are younger and have been losing hair for a short period of time, or have a small area of hair loss, are likely to experience the best results.

Back to top

This is totally normal, and actually a good sign. ROGAINE® products are designed to stimulate hair follicles to shift from the resting phase to the growth phase. It’s not uncommon to see a temporary increase in shedding during the first 2-6 weeks of using ROGAINE®. This occurs in some people as the new hair pushes out the older hairs. Think of it like baby teeth falling out to make room for adult teeth. This increase in shedding is only temporary and should subside with continued treatment.

Please note, however, if increased shedding continues for a duration of longer than 2 weeks, you should consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes.

Back to top

Women’s ROGAINE® Foam 5% is a once daily hair regrowth treatment specifically for women. Approval for use in Canada was based on the safety and effectiveness profile demonstrated in clinical studies of once daily use in women experiencing female pattern hair loss and thinning. In contrast, Men’s ROGAINE® Foam 5% is a twice daily hair regrowth treatment developed specifically for men’s hair. The product’s safety and effectiveness profile was demonstrated in clinical testing of twice daily use in men experiencing male pattern hair loss.

As always, we recommend following the indication and labeled dosage when using any ROGAINE® product.

Back to top

Some people have experienced a slight change in hair colour and/or texture, while others may experience a dry, itchy scalp and irritation of the treated area. Stop using the product and consult your doctor if irritation persists. 

See package insert for more information on side effects and what to do about them.

Back to top

No. Women’s ROGAINE® Foam is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.

Back to top

You can use Women’s ROGAINE® at any time of the day, but we recommend applying it as part of your evening routine. Allow the treatment to naturally and completely dry before going to bed. The next morning you can style your hair as normal.

Back to top

We recommend using a gentle shampoo. Otherwise you can follow your normal hair care routine while using Women’s ROGAINE® Foam 5%, as long as you wait for it to completely dry first.

Back to top

You can follow your normal haircare routine when using Women’s ROGAINE®. Just be sure to apply ROGAINE® Foam first and wait for it to dry completely before applying any products. Same goes for using hair dryers – however, we recommend using a lower setting.

Back to top

We recommend that you at least towel dry your hair before applying ROGAINE® Foam – ensuring your scalp is completely dry. Otherwise the treatment can become diluted.

Back to top

Sure. For ROGAINE® to work best,  be sure to wait at least 4 hours after application before swimming, showering, or physical activities involving excessive sweating. There’s no need to reapply ROGAINE® after getting your hair wet.

Back to top