Jesus Sisco Losing hair can be a distressing and embarrassing experience, which is why many of us are on the lookout for the quickest and most effective treatment available.
But with the vast array of hair loss treatments and solutions on the market, it can be somewhat confusing to make a choice.
To help you out, we’ll be comparing two popular hair loss solutions, namely minoxidil and Trioxidil, in this article.
In this article, we’ll explore what Trioxidil is, the differences between minoxidil and trioxidil, and which hair loss solution is more effective for promoting hair growth.
What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication used to treat hair loss in men and women. It is one of the most common therapies prescribed for treating androgenetic alopecia [1]. Androgenetic alopecia is commonly known as male pattern baldness in men or female pattern hair loss in women.
Minoxidil is a hair regrowth treatment for men and women that promotes hair growth and slows the balding process.
Currently, minoxidil is most commonly indicated for the treatment of hair loss affecting the scalp vertex, which is the area covering the crown of the head towards the back of the head.
On the other hand, the use of minoxidil for treating a receding hairline and baldness at the front of the scalp is a little more controversial.
Some recent research studies and anecdotal reports have noted that minoxidil may be effective for treating a receding hairline and frontal baldness [2]. However, more concrete evidence may be needed to confirm these claims.
How does minoxidil work?
According to research, minoxidil is believed to work by elongating the anagen phase (or hair growth phase) and increasing the size of your hair follicles [3].
By maintaining the anagen phase, minoxidil may help to promote continuous hair growth [3].
Additionally, minoxidil may help dilate the blood vessels that supply nutrients to your hair follicles, encouraging better hair growth.
What is Trioxidil?
Triodixil is a triple-action hair nutrient complex designed by FOLIGAIN®, a brand that develops and offers hair care products and formulas for thicker, healthier, and fuller hair.
According to the brand, FOLIGAIN Trioxidil was developed and designed by their team of experts to provide the scalp with key nutrients and botanicals and help support the growth of thicker and healthier-looking hair.
FOLIGAIN Trioxidil is available for both men and women as a shampoo, conditioner, and topical solution (in spray form).
The brand also offers a combination product (The FOLIGAIN Advanced Hair Regrowth Treatment) containing 5% minoxidil and Trioxidil.
What ingredients are in Trioxidil?
Trioxidil contains a propriety blend of a wide range of natural, bioactive ingredients thought to help improve hair growth and health while maintaining skin moisture.
These ingredients include:-
- Jojoba esters: This may help to improve skin moisture and scalp health, prevent breakage, and strengthen locks.
- Panax ginseng: Some research suggests that ginseng and its metabolites may help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss by prolonging the anagen phase and preventing the death of hair follicle cells [4].
- Arginine: A small study has delivered promising results that the combination of arginine and zinc may help reduce hair fall and increase the number of anagen hairs (which are hairs in the active growth phase) [5].
- Zinc gluconate: While a few studies suggest that topical zinc may help with hair growth, more research has been conducted on the benefits of oral zinc supplementation for hair health and growth in those with low zinc levels [6].
- Niacinamide: Niacinamide may enhance hair growth by preventing the premature end of the anagen phase [7].
- Biotin: There is a little evidence that biotin supplementation in people with a deficiency will effectively stimulate hair regrowth. Currently, conclusive research on the benefits of topical biotin for hair loss is even more scarce.
- Apigenin: Animal studies have suggested that apigenin can stimulate hair growth by reducing the expression of a gene called TGF-beta1. This gene slows down the rate at which your hair follicles lengthen and is closely associated with the progression of androgenetic alopecia [8].
- Pea sprout extract: Some research has shown that topical solutions containing pea sprout extract may help to combat hair loss and stimulate hair growth in individuals who experience shedding or thinning hair [9].
- Vitamin E: Topical vitamin E may help to improve scalp health and circulation and increase hair strength. Nonetheless, more studies are warranted to confirm these benefits.
- Vitamin B5: Vitamin B5 may help support hair regrowth by elongating the anagen phase of hair [10].
How does Trioxidil work?
According to the brand, this nutrient-rich complex has been designed to increase the density, youthfulness, and vitality of hair. Essentially, the botanicals and nutrients contained within the formulation are aimed at nourishing the hair and supporting hair growth.
FOLIGAIN’s products also utilize liposphere micro-emulsion technology to help infuse the hair and scalp with the Trioxidil® triple action complex, which may support better absorption into the targetted regions.
Trioxidil vs Minoxidil for Hair Loss
Despite their similar-sounding names, the Trioxidil complex contains no minoxidil and is a different formulation altogether.
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved solution for treating androgenetic alopecia. On the other hand, Trioxidil is a proprietary blend containing no medication or drugs but various vitamins, nutrients, and botanicals to help nourish hair and promote hair growth.
Trioxidil vs. Minoxidil: Which Is More Effective?
You may be wondering whether Trioxidil is more effective than minoxidil for managing hair loss. Let’s explore what research has discovered about these two formulations.
Research on Minoxidil
To date, a vast amount of research has been conducted to investigate the benefits of minoxidil for treating hair loss. Numerous research studies have found that oral and topical minoxidil was superior to placebo (no medication) in treating hair loss in most male and female participants with androgenetic alopecia [11, 12].
Furthermore, minoxidil has been FDA-approved as a hair loss medication for both men and women. In other words, evidence supporting the use of minoxidil for male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness is concrete.
Research on Trioxidil
On the other hand, research about the efficacy of Trioxidil is limited.
Of course, research has investigated the efficacy of some of the individual ingredients in their formulation and found that they may be effective in strengthening hair and supporting growth.
Plus, a few ingredients inside the formulation, such as the Panax ginseng, may have DHT-blocking effects, though studies confirming this is limited (even more so for topically-applied ingredients) [13].
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a sex hormone that interferes with the hair growth cycle, making it easier for hair to fall and harder for them to grow back.
Since Trioxidil is a proprietary blend, we do not know the exact quantity of each ingredient included in the formulation. Hence, we cannot gauge if the quantity of each ingredient included is sufficient to make a significant difference.
FOLIGAIN® Trioxidil® Clinical Study
FOLIGAIN’S website includes some data on the results of one clinical study conducted in 2019.
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FOLIGAIN’s Trioxidil regimen, which includes the FOLIGAIN Trioxidil shampoo, conditioner, and topical solution. Both male and female participants were included.
During the course of the study, participants utilized the Trioxidil regimen at least 3-5 times per week according to the instructions given.
After a 4-month period, researchers found that hair strength and hair count significantly increased. Additionally, there was a reduction in the number of broken hair strands.
Other than this clinical study, no further studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of Trioxdil as a topical product for hair loss.
So in terms of scientific proof and evidence, minoxidil is the clear winner.
Trioxidil Reviews
User reviews are positive, with many reporting that they have noticed improvements in the growth, health, and thickness of their hair after using one or more of their products.
As with any hair loss treatment, patience is key, and many users have mentioned seeing significant improvements after a month or more of regular use.
Nonetheless, a couple of users have noted that the Trioxidil topical spray formula has a greasy feel and texture when applied to the scalp. Plus, a few reviewers mentioned that they noticed increased shedding of hair at the start of their treatment.
Trioxidil vs. Minoxidil: Risks and Side Effects
Let’s compare the risks and side effects associated with the use of trioxidil and minoxidil for hair loss.
Minoxidil side effects and risks
The side effects of minoxidil are more widely studied. Some users may notice side effects such as:-
- Itching and scaling of the application site
- Skin irritation or redness
- Temporary hair shedding at the start of treatment
- Abnormal hair growth (on the face or the body)
Not everyone who uses topical minoxidil for hair loss will experience side effects. And in most cases, these side effects are considered mild and typically resolve upon discontinuing the product [14].
Minoxidil is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Trioxidil side effects
Due to the limited number of research studies performed on Trioxidil, there has yet to be any conclusive research on its side effects. But this doesn’t mean that Trioxidil is completely free from side effects.
Based on a handful of user reviews, side effects from Trioxidil may include skin dryness and a burning sensation upon application.
And as with any other treatment applied to the skin, Trioxidil may also cause an allergic reaction, which includes symptoms such as skin irritation and redness.
Overall, reports of side effects from Trioxidil are limited based on user reviews, so the formulation seems generally well-tolerated.
Minoxidil vs. Trioxidil Pricing
A two-month supply of 5% minoxidil costs about $30 in Australia, though this varies depending on the brand and company you purchase from.
The pricing of Trioxidil products in Australia is as follows:-
- FOLIGAIN® Triple Action Complete Formula For Thinning Hair for Men (Topical spray) – ~$54 per 59mL bottle
- FOLIGAIN® Triple Action Shampoo For Thinning Hair For Men – ~$86 per 473 mL bottle
- FOLIGAIN® Triple Action Conditioner For Thinning Hair For Men – ~$86 per 473 mL bottle
The brand also recommends using all three of these products together for the best outcomes. If you use the complete regimen, this will be pricier than using minoxidil alone.
FOLIGAIN also offers a complete range of hair loss solutions for women, including the Trioxidil topical spray, shampoo, and conditioner, at around the same price bracket as the men’s range.
There isn’t enough research investigating the effects or safety of mixing Trioxidil and minoxidil for hair loss treatment.
However, FOLIGAIN offers a combination product containing minoxidil and Trioxidil as a topical spray.
According to the brand, this revolutionary topical blend serves as a unique hair-loss solution for men with very fine or thinning hair. Even so, more research needs to be conducted to study the efficacy of this multi-ingredient complex.
No, Trioxidil and minoxidil are entirely different treatments for hair loss. Trioxidil does not contain any medication but instead consists of a holistic blend of nutrients, supplements, and botanicals thought to promote hair growth. Meanwhile, minoxidil is a type of hair loss medication widely sold under the brand name Rogaine.
No, Trioxidil is not FDA-approved. Trioxidil is not a medication, which is why all claims and statements made about the benefits of the product have not been assessed by the FDA. On the other hand, minoxidil is approved by the FDA as a treatment for male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness.
According to the clinical trial data on the brand’s website and current user reviews, Trioxidil seems to be a promising remedy for thinning hair. But the results may take at least a couple of weeks to show, even with daily use. Some reviews note that significant improvements were only observed after a few months of use.
On this note, patience is key when utilizing hair loss treatments, as their benefits and outcomes are unlikely to be instant.
Also, note that the effects of hair loss treatment vary from one person to another. That means that a certain remedy may work wonders for someone and do nothing for you, or vice versa. The same concept applies to Trioxidil (and minoxidil).
In terms of research evidence, minoxidil is the clear winner due to its long-standing record in successfully improving hair loss in numerous research studies.
But if you prefer something that does not contain medication, Trioxidil may be the better option.
Final Takeaway: Minoxidil vs. Trioxidil
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication with a long-standing record for treating hair loss in men and women. Meanwhile, trioxidil is a non-medicated, complex blend of hair supplements and nutrients that may help combat thinning hair in men and women.
Research studies conducted over decades have shown minoxidil to be an effective treatment in most cases of male or female pattern baldness. While not much research has been done on trioxidil, user reviews on its efficacy and benefits are promising.
If you’re unsure whether these hair loss solutions are safe and suitable for you, consulting your healthcare professional will be the best route to take.