Amazon Basic Care Minoxidil Topical Solution USP, 2% Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women, 3-Month Supply, Unscented, 2 fl oz (Pack of 3)

This is my review of effectiveness of Rogaine, and also discussion of 5% Foam vs Generic 2% solution. I’ve done some in-depth research in addition to using both myself.First, both products do work, and actually they work equally well. Don’t think that the 5% works better simply because it is stronger. Think about foamy mousse hair product — if you let it become a liquid, there is really very little liquid there. For the 2%, you’re using liquid so you get much more product per use, and you’re using it twice a day, so the actual amount of minoxidil you absorb is probably about the same.A downside for both, as others have said, is that you will have to use minoxidil forever if you want to keep the hair. Hair, like skin, is always turning over - even in young people, hair constantly falls out and grows back. Expecting new hair growth to stay forever without help would be like expecting your self-tanner to keep your skin dark without reapplying. It’s just not going to happen. I figure I will use Rogaine for about 10 years and then switch to wearing wigs, which is what my bald mom does. Both are cheaper than hair transplants.OK so now for the other pros and cons of each formula. Keep in mind I have fairly fine, straight hair, so if you have course or curly hair you may not have the same experience.APPLICATION: Both products have a little learning curve in figuring out how to apply. Personally I think the 2% liquid is easier, as you can use the application dropper to part hair and apply at the same time. The liquid is also easier to measure. However, it is easy for it to run into your face or ears, and then you have to wash it off quickly. The foam is much more controllable and there is probably less waste.ROUTINE: I only wash my hair every other day, and I still do. Both of these products leave a bit of “product buildup” at the roots of the hair, so I can’t really go longer than every two days. However, in a pinch, I have used dry shampoo after the Rogaine had time to dry, just to fluff up any areas that were feeling a little greasy. Also, you need time after a shower to dry your scalp (I blow dry my hair, so no problem there), then apply the Rogaine, THEN let that dry before you apply more styling product. I have quit using product during the blow dry process. I dry, use the Rogaine, blow dry a little more, put on makeup and get dressed, then finish styling my hair last.STYLING: The foam wins hands down in the styling area. You’re putting it where your hair is thinner, so it gives a little volume. If you have fine hair, though, you know that any mousse or liquid styling product tends to flatten or weigh it down. My advice is NOT to put foam directly on your part first as the package directs. Pick up a little line of hair on either side of your part and put it UNDER, fan or blow it dry, and let it back down. If you are thin on the sides, like me, start at the thin spot closest to your ears and work up to the part last. Be very sparing with each finger full of foam, as you want it mostly on your scalp, not in your hair. It’s not a great styling product, but I generally use it, let it dry, then try to keep my other styling products about an inch out from the scalp, on the hair itself. On the “non-wash” days, I apply Rogaine foam, fluff the hair by blow drying the wrong direction, wait a few, then use a spray volumizer and dry or curl again.However, if I’m using the 2% liquid, I can apply, then use a blow dryer to blow the hair in the wrong direction and fluff it up, so kind of the same difference.SIDE EFFECTS: In studies, the 5% foam is about half as likely to cause itching than the 2% liquid. Only 1 in 20 women report increased dandruff with the foam, compared to about 1 in 5 for the liquid. I do feel some “tingles” with both, but nothing unpleasant. I have not noticed any dandruff but my scalp definitely feels a little more oily.TRAVELING: Technically, over the counter medications are exempt from TSA rules, so the 2.11 oz foam aerosol can should be OK. However, I really don’t want to argue in public about TSA rules concerning my hair regrowth product. And, if I lose the argument, I don’t want to take the chance of losing a $20+ item. So, I only take 2% liquid in a 2 oz bottle when I travel.Overall, I like the foam better for daily ease of styling and the look of my hair after using it. However, I do use the liquid when I’m in a hurry or when traveling for reasons listed above.

I’ve been using this Minoxidil 2% for women for about 3 months, and I’m honestly impressed. My hair shedding slowed down, and I started seeing baby hairs around my hairline and part. It’s lightweight, doesn’t smell, and absorbs quickly. I did notice a bit of dryness on my scalp, but applying a light moisturizer in the evening helped a lot. Just make sure to use it twice a day — it really makes a difference.

Don’t think it’s as good as Rogaine

Got great results using this product. The key is to remain consistent and patient. Follow the directions and use twice a day to expect to see results probably by the 4th month. The only surprise was that the directions say discontinuing use could result in loss of regrowth. I had not expected to use this product for the rest of my life! I've been using it for about 9 monthsand haven't decided if I will stop anytime soon.

I started losing hair during menopause. I definitely have new growth since using this. I just use it once a day and it is still effective. It does feel slightly oily like others mentioned buy not that noticeable. My hair still holds my style as usual. And it's worth it to have hair coming back.

My original 5-star review:When I turned 40 my hair began to slowly thin all over the top, including the hairline above my forehead and around my temples. The general all-over thinning worsened at full menopause, until by age 60 the part in my hair was almost 1/2 inch wide. I thought it was too late for me to reverse the damage, but tried this product anyway.NOW I HAVE MY HAIR BACK. ALL OF IT!! After 3 months of using this 2% Minoxidil I could see new 1/2-inch long hairs everywhere I applied it. After 6 months of use all that new hair is now about 3 inches long. Now my hair is as thick as it ever was in my youth, and my part is a nice, thin line as it should be. I look 10 years younger than I did before trying this product.There is no "pattern baldness" among the women in my family. I'm very pleased that I tried this anyway, and that I ignored the directions to put this only on the crown of my head. Instead I applied it everywhere my hair was thinning, with thrilling results.Review updated May 26, 2020 due to defective or counterfeit shipment.I had been using this brand of Minoxidil for almost year with excellent results and I love the product. However, I believe that the new shipment I received on March 25, 2020 was either damaged (by freezing in transit?), defective or counterfeit. I began using the first bottle of this shipment at the end of April. Within a week my hair began to fall out in handfuls. I continued to use the Basic Care Minoxidil for several more weeks, assuming the cause of the hair loss was something else. But after 3 weeks I had lost most of the lovely new hair I gained during the previous year. I came to suspect that the Minoxidil was defective since I could find no other explanation. So I switched to another brand last week. The hair loss slowed within 48 hours, and after a week of using the new brand it has stopped. I believe this confirms there was something wrong with the shipment of Basic Care Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution I received in March.The Lot number and Expiration of the two 3-months-supply box I received are NOT shown on the outside of the boxes. But each bottle within the boxes is marked as Lot 0AV2041, Expiration 10/2021. Has anyone else had this problem? I loved this brand and would like to return to it, but now I'm scared to get another bad or counterfeit batch.The product is non-returnable, but since I had purchased from Amazon (rather than a third-party seller), Amazon has said they will refund me the purchase price. Way to go, Amazon!!