Sons Minoxidil 5% Cutaneous Solution is a scalp treatment for men aged 18 to 65 with male-pattern hair loss, meaning a receding hairline or thinning on the crown with a family history of hair loss. The 60ml bottle comes with two applicators, a spray pump for larger areas and an extended-tip applicator for smaller areas, so you can match the application to the area being treated.

Key Features

• 5% minoxidil: Each 1ml of solution contains 50mg of minoxidil.
• Two application options: A pre-assembled spray pump covers larger areas and a separate extended-tip applicator suits smaller areas or application under the hair.
• Twice-daily dose: Apply 1ml in the morning and 1ml in the evening, with at least 12 hours between applications.
• For men only: It is for men aged 18 to 65 and must not be used by women.
• Treatment is long term: Twice-daily use for 2 to 4 months is generally needed before an effect is seen, and continued use is needed to maintain it.

How long does minoxidil take to work?

The onset and extent of hair growth differ from person to person. In general, twice-daily treatment for 2 to 4 months is needed before an effect is seen. If there is no effect after 12 months, treatment should be stopped. You should talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 4 months.

Why might hair loss seem worse at first?

Minoxidil shortens the resting phase of the hair cycle, so new hair growth pushes out old hairs. Some people notice this 2 to 6 weeks after starting, and it wears off within a few weeks. If hair loss continues for more than 2 weeks, stop using it and speak to your doctor.

What happens if I stop using it?

Hair loss will return. Within 3 to 4 months of stopping, the treated area will look as it did before treatment began.

Can women or people under 18 use it?

No. This product is for men aged 18 to 65 only. It must not be used by women, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Active ingredient: Minoxidil 50mg per 1ml of solution (5% w/v).

Other ingredients: Propylene glycol (350mg per ml) and ethanol 96 per cent (510mg per ml).

For external use on a dry, healthy scalp only. Apply 1ml twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, to the affected areas in the crown region of the scalp. Leave at least 12 hours between each use. Do not exceed 2ml a day, regardless of the size of the affected area.

Using the spray pump:

1. Remove the outer cap of the bottle.
2. Press the spray pump 6 times to apply 1ml of solution, spreading the liquid over the affected area with your fingertips after each pump. Avoid breathing in the spray mist.

Using the extended-tip applicator, for smaller areas:

1. Remove the outer cap, then pull up the top part of the spray head (the piece with the orifice).
2. Insert the applicator and press it 6 times to apply 1ml of solution, spreading the liquid over the affected area with your fingertips after each pump.

After use:

• Wash your hands carefully after applying.
• You can style your hair as normal, but do not wet the scalp for about 4 hours.
• Rinse the spray head or applicator with isopropyl alcohol (70 per cent) after each use to avoid clogging.
• Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• Do not store in the fridge or freeze. Use within 1 year of first opening.

Please note the following before use:

• For use by men aged 18 to 65 only. Do not use if you are a woman, or under 18 or over 65.
• Do not use if you have any sign of cardiovascular disease or heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, or if you are using medicines for high blood pressure.
• Do not use if you are allergic to minoxidil or any other ingredient.
• Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not use if you do not know why you are losing hair, if your hair loss is sudden or patchy, if you are not sure it is hereditary, or if you have total baldness.
• Apply to a normal, healthy scalp only. Do not use on a red, inflamed, painful, sunburnt, shaved or damaged scalp, on a scalp with psoriasis, or under a dressing or bandage. Do not use with other products on the scalp.
• Do not use with other dermatological products such as corticosteroids, retinoids, petrolatum or dithranol, or with agents that increase absorption through the skin.
• For external use on the scalp only. Do not apply to other parts of the body, as unwanted hair growth can occur if it is transferred elsewhere. Wash your hands before and after use.
• Accidental swallowing can cause serious cardiovascular effects. Keep out of the reach of children and seek medical help immediately if swallowed.
• Stop using it and see a doctor if you develop chest pain, a faster heartbeat, weakness or dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet, or persistent scalp redness or irritation.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use if you have abnormal hormone levels, a disease affecting the whole body or poor nutrition.
• Avoid contact with the eyes, as the ethanol can cause stinging and irritation, and with broken skin and mucous membranes. If contact occurs, rinse with plenty of water.
• Ensure children do not touch areas where you have applied it. Excessive body hair growth has been reported in infants after contact.
• Flammable. Do not use near an open flame, lit cigarettes or devices such as hairdryers.
• It may cause dizziness or low blood pressure. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
• Repeated application to the hair rather than the scalp may make hair dry or stiff.
• Very fair hair may change colour slightly when minoxidil is used with other hair products or after swimming in heavily chlorinated water.

Like all medicines, minoxidil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Contact a doctor straight away if you have:

• chest pain
• swelling of the face, lips or throat that makes it hard to swallow or breathe, which may be a severe allergic reaction
• generalised redness or itching of the skin, or tightness in the throat
• low blood pressure, a faster heartbeat, weakness or dizziness
• sudden and unexplained weight gain, or swollen hands or feet
• persistent redness or irritation of the scalp

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): headache.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): itching; increased hair growth beyond the scalp; inflammatory skin reaction including acne-like rash; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; swollen arms and legs; weight gain; high blood pressure; scalp irritation such as stinging, burning, dryness, scaling, or infected or inflamed hair follicles.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): dizziness, nausea.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): change in hair texture. If this happens, stop using minoxidil.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated): contact dermatitis, depressed mood, eye irritation, palpitations, vomiting, application-site reactions that may spread to the ears and face (itching, pain, redness, swelling, dry skin, rash, peeling, blistering, bleeding or ulceration), temporary hair loss and changes in hair colour.

You can report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.