Minoxidil is the first FDA approved medication for hair thinning and hair loss. It is available in a topical solution as 2 %, 5% and 10% formulation. 2% is recommended for women who have hair thinning and hair loss. It can be used on the hair thinning areas on the front, middle and crown areas. It is shown you be more effective on the crown areas. Mionoxidil is ineffective when applied on bald areas of the scalp. The maximum benefit of minoxidil is appreciated when used from 5 months to 2 years. Thereafter the efficacy of minoxidil slightly reduces when people apply minoxidil people tend to loose hair at a slower rate. The exact mechanism of minoxidil is not known. But it tends to improve the hair fall cycle. That is the anagen cycle. 5% formulation of minoxidil is more beneficial than 2 %. And twice application of minoxidil is even better.5% has an ingredient called propylene glycol which could tend to irritate your scalp and also reduce some amount of sticky hair. If you notice such effects it is advisable to use 5% minoxidil at bed time and 2% minoxidil in the morning after a hair wash. There is a method to use minoxidil. You can spread the hair on the scalp. Later apply with drops or a spray. Later gently massage to make sure, minoxidil penetrates the scalp and gives the best effect. Applying minoxidil after hair combing will not give the best effect as it will just stick on to the hair strands. Maximum benefit is seen when you apply minoxidil atleast for a period of 5 -6 months. Thereafter you wish to discontinue minoxidil, the result of which would be hair thinning and hair loss within period of 3 months from the time you stop using minoxidil. If you decide to use minoxidil once again, it will not regain the hair which you have lost. Therefore it is best recommended to use minoxidil on a regular basis.