Pros: May slow/stop hair loss with lifetime of use; supposedly easy
Cons: Easy to waste; greasier than original; expensive; hard to get to the right spots
The Bottom Line: I recommend you never try this product, and instead switch to a generic topical solution. It was incredibly frustrating and a waste of money.
jman1783's Full Review: Rogaine Foam Hair Regrowth Treatment 3 Month For M...
I'm a loyal user of Minoxidil-based products such as Pfizer's Rogaine for 5 years running. I finally came to terms with it - my hair is falling out. Actually, it's been falling out for about 5 years, that's why I started using the topical solution (the old liquid stuff) so long ago. Things were going well; my hair loss seemed to slow down, there was a coupon in each Rogaine box for $10 off the next box, life was glorious. Of course, I couldn't prove that the product was doing anything, but there are plenty of other fear-based purchases we all make, so for around $12 per month, I didn't really mind smearing this stuff on my head like some kind of mental patient.
And then, along comes Rogaine foam, designed to make it easier to apply than the old Rogaine solution. Well, it's easier to do one thing, that's for sure - to burn through your supply with little to show for it! The old topical stuff came with a medicine dropper marked at 1.0 mL, so you knew exactly how much to measure out with each application. You can also use it to get right down to the spots where you need it. However, the foam does not have an easy way to measure the amount you're applying. Not even on the clear lid! And what do you think you're going to do, in your state of pre-balding paranoia? Use too little? Nay, you're going to use probably double what you should each time. Also, you end up just patting it onto your head like an idiot, because your fingers aren't as precise as an eyedropper. Either way, you still have to get your hands on the stuff at least a little.
Now, here's another of my favorite features for this product - you can't hold onto it! At least 3 or 4 times during the 15-20 days I got out of this "one month" supply, I squirt this foam in my hand like it says, go to apply it to my scalp, and it slides right off my hand into the sink! There's $2 down the drain, literally. The foam breaks down very quickly (pretty much on contact with ANYTHING), so you can't handle it like you would shaving cream. It's more like holding onto a puddle of motor oil, because it's greasy, slippery, and you don't really want to touch it at all. I don't understand it, but it somehow felt more greasy than the topical solution, despite the claim that it is less greasy than its predecessor. The Minoxidil chemical needs to be suspended in alcohol, so that might be one reason this stuff is so weird. And yes, it's highly flammable. So don't go sticking your head near the broiler to see if that chicken is done.
My final complaint for this product is the change in coupon availability. As I said, the old solution came with a $10 off coupon in every box, without fail. All of a sudden, when this product came out they stopped putting the coupons in with the topical stuff, forcing you to consider this product. In the foam box, I found a coupon for a few dollars off, even though the foam is more expensive. So, Pfizer has decided that they're going to strong-arm you into moving over to the foam, which I believe is specifically designed to get you to use more with each application, waste more, and offer very little reward for your extra dollars.
To be fair, the foam may actually provide some benefit, though I'm not convinced it will be any more than the topical solution (if not less!) The Rogaine product contains Minoxidil, which is actually proven to work at slowing hair loss on the crown of the head, and is approved by the FDA. The foam contains the same amount of the chemical as the extra strength topical solution - 5% - so it's just as good there.
Upsides - I'm reaching here
May stop balding of the crown
Might be easier to apply than the topical stuff for those who are very careful
Somewhat unique, though perhaps not in a good way
Downsides - there are many
You need to keep using this product FOREVER if you want to keep your hair
Significantly easier to waste than the topical stuff
Needs to be applied to dry hair, same as topical
Only proven for balding of the vertex (crown)
Should be in your hair for 4 hours for maximum effect
Stains your clothes, bedding, etc., same as topical
Causes itchy scalp, best case scenario. There's a whole fleet of other potential side effects
Makes hair styling practically impossible
Very difficult to apply foam to hair follicle, where it needs to go, rather than just the hairs. Probably harder than the solution
More expensive than the topical solution, especially generics
Overall
I hated this foam. As a loyal user of Rogaine topical solution for 5 years to that point, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of this new product, and considered sending hate mail to Pfizer. However, I found a great solution to my problem - I stopped using Rogaine! Don't get me wrong, I use Minoxidil. But now I use the generic, extra-strength, topical solution from *insert mega-mart store name here* for about $6 per month, compared with $20 or so for this silly foam. And it's the same active ingredient! Nothing like Pfizer shooting themselves in the foot on this, causing them to actually lose customers with the new product.
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