TLDR 10% minoxidil improves frontal hair count more than 5% but has more side effects.
This study compared the efficacy and safety of 10% topical minoxidil versus 5% topical minoxidil in treating male pattern hair loss (MPHL) over 6 months with 51 patients. The results showed that the 10% minoxidil group had a significantly higher improvement in frontal total hair count compared to the 5% group. However, other parameters of hair growth were similar between the two groups. Despite the higher efficacy in frontal hair count, the 10% concentration was associated with more side effects, which could affect patient compliance and tolerance.
February 2024 in “Cosmoderma” Low-dose oral minoxidil can help treat male and female pattern hair loss, especially in those who can't use topical treatments or have heart health issues.
59 citations,
July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Oral minoxidil promotes hair growth but may cause side effects; needs monitoring.
February 2020 in “The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan” 8 citations,
March 2015 in “PubMed” 5% minoxidil foam effectively treats female hair loss.
January 2007 in “Strait Pharmaceutical Journal” 
1 citations,
September 2002 in “PubMed” Minoxidil helps stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss in women with androgenic alopecia.
370 citations,
September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.
127 citations,
July 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Minoxidil shortens baldness from chemotherapy by 50.2 days without significant side effects.
