Have you wondered how to apply minoxidil correctly? What is the correct dose of minoxidil? How to apply minoxidil? What are its side effects, and how can you avoid them? Many patients apply minoxidil improperly, so this article is for you if you plan to start using it or are already using it.
Researchers originally developed minoxidil in the 1970s to manage high blood pressure. However, users noticed increased hair growth in other areas of the body, leading to its development for treating hair loss, especially male and female pattern hair loss. The USFDA approved a 2% minoxidil solution in 1986 and a 5% solution in 1993 for the same purpose.
Minoxidil is a complex organic compound available on the market as solutions, foams, or gels.
What are the primary uses of minoxidil and how to apply it and how does it contribute to hair growth and decrease hair fall?
Researchers do not know exactly how minoxidil improves hair growth and reduces hair fall, but studies suggest it increases blood flow, alters the potassium permeability of cells, and enhances cell proliferation—essentially speeding up cell growth.
Doctors recommend minoxidil for male and female pattern hair loss caused by chemotherapy, beard growth, eyebrow growth, and conditions like alopecia areata, central centrifugal alopecia, and frontal fibrosing alopecia. However, most people use it for male and female pattern hair loss.
You can achieve the best results with minoxidil after one year of consistent use. Effects usually appear after 3 to 6 months of application. In one study tracking 31 patients over five years, researchers observed a 45% increase in hair growth with 5% minoxidil compared to the 2% solution. On average, users see new growth of about 15 hairs per cm² after one year of use.
What is minoxidil?
Many people say Minoxidil causes hair to fall out initially but helps it grow back afterward. Let’s explore what Minoxidil is and how it works.
Minoxidil belongs to the Vasodilator group of drugs, which reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. You can find Minoxidil as a lotion or foam in three concentrations: 2%, 5%, and 10%.
- 2% Minoxidil: Doctors typically recommend this concentration for women.
- 5% and 10% Minoxidil: These concentrations are generally recommended for men.
How to Use Minoxidil: You apply Minoxidil topically to the scalp, usually 1 milliliter or 20 drops at a time. Start at the center of the scalp and gradually spray or apply it outward. Use your fingers to spread the solution evenly across the scalp. Avoid letting it contact your eyes, as it can cause irritation.
How do I use minoxidil?
You can find it in bottles, foams, or gels, but here we focus on the solution. It typically includes a 60 ml pack with a dropper. Consult your doctor before starting. To apply, fill the dropper with 1 ml of the solution (about 12–20 drops). Tilt your head to keep it from trickling onto your face, and apply it directly to your scalp twice a day—once in the morning after drying your hair and once in the evening before bed. After applying, gently tap it into your scalp without aggressive massaging.
Story of Minoxidil
Minoxidil comes in different formulations. If you want it topically, you can usually find it over the counter without needing a prescription. You can get it as a liquid or a foam. However, if you want an oral pill of minoxidil, you’ll need a prescription. Sometimes, you can even find minoxidil as a gel.
Minoxidil was originally developed as a blood pressure medication in the 1960s. During clinical trials, researchers found that it caused excessive hair growth in random body areas, a side effect called hypertrichosis. This side effect benefited us because in 1986 the FDA approved the first topical form of minoxidil under the brand name Rogaine. We all know Rogaine as a treatment for men with androgenic alopecia. It received approval for women in 1991 as well.
Common Side Effect:
1. Irritation: Burning, itching, or redness, often due to the preservative propylene glycol. This is less common with minoxidil itself.
2. Hypertrichosis: Increased hair growth in unintended areas. This is more common in women and typically resolves within 1 to 5 months, starting from the face and arms.
3. Headaches: Pulsating or throbbing headaches can occur. 4. Skin Rashes: Rarely, some users experience skin rashes.
Minoxidil usually causes minimal side effects when applied topically. However, some people may experience:
- Skin irritation or rash
- Allergic reactions
- Rare systemic side effects, such as chest pain, heart problems, shortness of breath, or dizziness
If you notice any allergic reactions or side effects, stop using Minoxidil and consult a doctor immediately.
Warning: Using Minoxidil without medical supervision poses risks. If you have heart problems, breathing issues, or take medication for high blood pressure, consult a doctor before using Minoxidil.
Tips to minimize irritation:
If you are using 5% minoxidil, switch to a lower concentration like 2%. Lower the application frequency from two times daily to once daily. Switch from minoxidil solution to foam or gel formulations.
Oral Minoxidil:
If topical irritation persists and benefits are seen, oral minoxidil may be considered under a doctor’s guidance. Oral minoxidil, initially used for blood pressure, can cause serious side effects, including fluid accumulation around the heart (pericardial effusion), which can lead to congestive heart failure. If you experience breathlessness, swelling in your feet, or water retention, seek medical attention immediately.
Does hair fall increase if you stop using minoxidil?
Often, people wonder if stopping minoxidil increases hair fall. Is it true?
First of all, minoxidil improves blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring the hair follicles receive more nutrients. This process thickens miniature hair, strengthens weaker hair, and reduces overall thinning. Additionally, minoxidil helps retain hair in the anagen phase, also known as the growth cycle.
In cases of male or female pattern alopecia, which is androgenic, minoxidil keeps the hair in the anagen phase. However, when you stop using it, the hair starts falling out again, which leads to thinning.
On the other hand, when people use minoxidil to treat conditions like telogen effluvium (hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies, surgery, or illness), it promotes hair growth. In such cases, stopping minoxidil typically does not cause excessive shedding.
What Causes Minoxidil to Shed Hair?
Minoxidil reduces hair fall, prevents hair thinning, and promotes hair regrowth. When you start using minoxidil, you might notice your hair shedding during the initial days of application. However, this is normal, and not everyone experiences this shedding. Research shows that about 12% to 17% of users experience shedding early in the application process. Understanding the hair growth cycle explains why minoxidil causes shedding at first. Hair undergoes three main stages: Growth (Anagen) Phase: Lasts for about 1,000 days. Transition (Catagen) Phase: Lasts about 10 days. Resting (Telogen) Phase: Lasts up to 100 days. Hair in the telogen phase sheds at any time during those 100 days. Minoxidil speeds up hair shedding in the resting phase to make way for healthier hair growth in the anagen phase. Without minoxidil, this hair would naturally shed within 100 days of entering the resting phase.
What Does Minoxidil Do?
Minoxidil accelerates the transition process, pushing hair prematurely into the growth phase. This explains why minoxidil may initially increase shedding. Stay patient and continue using Minoxidil as instructed by your dermatologist. With consistent use, your hair will grow thicker and healthier. Most people notice improvement within three months; some see results in as few as six weeks.
How Long Does Minoxidil Shedding Last?
Shedding caused by minoxidil typically lasts only two to eight weeks. Avoid feeling disappointed or stopping treatment prematurely. Stay consistent and follow your dermatologist’s advice to improve hair thickness and regrowth.
Precautions Before Using Minoxidil
Consult a doctor before you start using Minoxidil. Since it is a medication, using it without proper guidance can cause adverse effects. Begin using Minoxidil only under a qualified medical professional’s supervision.
Effectiveness of Minoxidil: The FDA has approved Minoxidil as a drug that reduces hair loss and stimulates hair growth. It works by dilating blood vessels locally, activating hair follicles, and encouraging new hair growth. Many countries, including Canada and India, have used minoxidil widely for several years.
How to Quit Minoxidil?
Can you stop using minoxidil? If yes, what’s the best way to quit without losing significant hair?
Hi, I’m William Gonet, CEO and founder of Evolution Hair Loss Institute. As a fellow of the World Trichology Society, I’ve been helping people regrow hair for over 21 years.
Minoxidil works as a powerful blood pressure drug applied orally or topically. People worldwide commonly use it as the top hair loss treatment. Specifically, both men and women widely accept 5% minoxidil. Quitting “cold turkey” will almost certainly cause significant hair loss.
Your scalp essentially becomes dependent on minoxidil. As a vasodilator, minoxidil increases blood flow to individual hair follicles, which promotes new growth and encourages thicker, elongated hair strands. However, it doesn’t target the underlying causes of hair loss.
If you’ve decided to stop minoxidil, you must first address your hair loss’s root cause. Follow these steps:
Phase 1: Address the Underlying Cause
Begin by identifying and treating your hair loss’s root cause. For example:
- DHT-Related Hair Loss: If you’re male and experiencing hair loss due to DHT, start using finasteride or an herbal DHT blocker.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: If low iron or other deficiencies cause your hair loss, boost your ferritin, iron, and vitamin D3 levels. Modify your diet to fulfill your nutritional or blood type requirements. After stabilizing the underlying cause and achieving equilibrium, you can start weaning off minoxidil.
Phase 2: Gradual Reduction
If you’ve been using minoxidil twice daily, reduce the frequency to once daily for 90 days.
Important: Begin internal treatments (such as DHT blockers or addressing nutritional deficiencies) during this phase. If you don’t, you’ll likely experience shedding.
After 90 days, evaluate your progress:
- Do you notice more hair shedding?
- Do you see more hair on your hands, brush, pillow, or sink?
If everything appears stable, proceed to the next phase.
Phase 3: Further Reduction
After using minoxidil once daily for 90 days, reduce the frequency to every other day for another 90 days. Monitor your hair closely, as you did in Phase 2.
Phase 4: Final Tapering
By the end of this gradual process, you’ll have weaned off minoxidil over nine months. If your hair looks healthy and you’re not experiencing significant shedding, it indicates that minoxidil’s effects have diminished, and you’ve addressed your hair loss’s root cause. At this point, you can stop minoxidil entirely.
What Patients Need to Know & How to Apply Minoxidil?
Minoxidil encourages hair to grow back in cases of male and female pattern baldness. Today, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about this medication.
Researchers accidentally discovered minoxidil’s use as a hair regrowth treatment. In the 1960s, scientists initially developed the drug to control high blood pressure. During drug trials, they observed that minoxidil promoted excessive hair growth. As a result, researchers redeveloped it into a topical preparation to treat hair loss.
Minoxidil belongs to the vasodilator group of medications, which dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. Although experts do not fully understand how minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, they believe it reactivates inactive hair follicles. The medication seems to reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles, increase blood flow to these follicles, and stimulate and extend the growth phase of hair follicles.
How Effective Is Minoxidil?
Approximately 40% of people who apply minoxidil notice significant hair regrowth. Another 40% stop losing hair, while 20% see no benefit.
Who Shouldn’t Use Minoxidil?
Consult your doctor before using minoxidil if you suffer from scalp conditions, porphyria, or conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, or liver. Avoid applying minoxidil to skin that is wounded, inflamed, freshly shaved, or infected.
How to apply Minoxidil With My Current Medications?
Minoxidil can interact with blood pressure medications because it reduces blood pressure as a secondary effect. This interaction may increase the risk of hypotension, which causes lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, and fainting. For detailed guidance, refer to the drug information leaflet provided with your medication.
How to Apply Minoxidil Correctly?
You can buy minoxidil over the counter as a solution or foam preparation. Apply the medication to a clean and dry scalp. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before applying it.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended dosage. Typically, users apply minoxidil twice daily, which fits easily into morning and evening routines. This medication should not be used by those who are pregnant or nursing. Apply the product evenly to the problem areas of the scalp and gently rub it in. Let the solution fully dry before styling your hair or lying down.
How Long Until Minoxidil Shows Results?
Hair regrowth takes time, so regular application is essential. Most people notice improvements after four months of consistent use.
How Long Should I Use Minoxidil?
Minoxidil does not permanently regrow hair, so continued use is necessary to maintain its benefits. Hair loss will likely recur if you stop using the medication.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to use a dose, skip it and continue with your usual routine.Do not double the dose to compensate.
If I Take Too Much?
Taking too much minoxidil can be dangerous, especially if swallowed. Signs of an overdose may include faintness, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and drowsiness. In the event of a possible overdose, get medical help right away.
What Are the Side Effects?
Although most individuals do not experience adverse reactions, some side effects may arise.
During the first weeks of use, some individuals notice increased hair loss due to follicles shedding old hair and starting a new growth phase. Continued use usually leads to hair regrowth.
Common side effects include scalp irritation, such as redness, burning, stinging, or soreness. Rarely, individuals experience serious side effects like:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeats or chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Swelling of hands or feet
- Unintended hair growth in other areas
Allergic reactions, though rare, can be life-threatening. Get immediate medical assistance if you notice symptoms such as:
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Allergic skin rash
Does minoxidil work for hair loss?
Minoxidil works for hair loss. Here’s how: Minoxidil is a prodrug, an inactive form of medication. The body converts it into the active form called minoxidil sulfate. An enzyme called sulfotransferase carries out this conversion. The enzyme expresses in the outer root sheath of hair follicles.
What is Topical Minoxidil?
Let’s first discuss topical minoxidil. One benefit of topical minoxidil is that you apply it directly to the areas where you experience hair loss. There are two forms of topical minoxidil: liquid and foam. One downside of the liquid formulation is that it contains propylene glycol, which is an alcohol. Since you apply this frequently, it can irritate your scalp and cause contact dermatitis. The dermatologist’s recommendation is to use the foam form of minoxidil because it doesn’t contain propylene glycol and is less likely to cause contact dermatitis.
If you develop contact dermatitis from the liquid formulation, dermatologists recommend stopping it for at least a week before switching to the foam formulation. You may still develop contact dermatitis with the foam, in which case topical minoxidil will not be an option for you.
Unwanted Hair Growth—How does that happen?
Other potential side effects of minoxidil include unwanted hair growth. How does that happen? If you apply the liquid to your scalp, rub it in, and forget to wash your hands before touching your cheek, eyebrows, or other body areas, you might stimulate hair growth there. Another potential side effect doctors sometimes hear from patients is worsening migraines. This happens because minoxidil was originally used as a vasodilator, meaning it increases the size of blood vessels, which can worsen headaches.
Less Common Side Effect of Minoxidil
Less common side effects include palpitations and weight gain. A common question patients ask to doctor is whether they should expect shedding after starting minoxidil. The reality is, shedding is not a side effect. It can be scary to think you’re losing hair when hair falls out after starting a hair loss medication, but this is the exact reaction we want to see. The old hairs fall out as minoxidil works to push them out and stimulate new hair growth. This takes about 4 to 8 weeks. That’s the reaction you want to see when using minoxidil.
Is shedding normal when using topical or oral minoxidil?
When you start using topical or oral minoxidil, be patient. You won’t see results overnight, and that’s one of the biggest mistakes patients make with hair loss medications. They get frustrated, using it every night or taking the pill, but they don’t see results. It takes months to see these results. Yes, shedding is normal when using topical or oral minoxidil.
If you’re considering adding topical minoxidil to your routine, I recommend Rogaine foam, specifically 5%.I suggest applying it once a day. You can use it twice daily, but it too often may cause contact dermatitis.
Don’t use minoxidil in breastfeeding or pregnancy. When you have children, make sure to wash your hands. If you touch your newborn anywhere on their body, you could stimulate new hair growth. It’s not harmful to them, but be cautious. Always apply minoxidil to your scalp, not your hair, as it’s a scalp treatment.
What are the benefits and potential side effects of using oral minoxidil for hair loss?
Now, let’s talk about oral minoxidil. Using a pill daily has many benefits. You improve compliance because, instead of applying minoxidil to your scalp in the morning or evening, you only need to take one pill daily. However, keep in mind that it’s systemic. You’re taking a low dosage that doesn’t impact your blood pressure, but you might develop migraines, a slight risk of heart palpitations, or water retention.
The biggest complaint I get from women is hair growth in unwanted places, like the chin or above the lip. It’s usually peach fuzz, which you can remove by shaving. This shouldn’t stop you from using oral minoxidil. Millions of women use oral minoxidil to address hair loss.
If you experienced side effects from topical minoxidil, like contact dermatitis from propylene glycol, those side effects should disappear when you switch to oral minoxidil.
Also,
The only time I wouldn’t recommend oral minoxidil is if you are a female trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Otherwise, both oral and topical minoxidil are well-tolerated by millions of men and women worldwide. We’ve covered both forms of minoxidil. Minoxidil can also serve as a neurotherapy treatment. I made a separate video about this, and I encourage you to check it out. Overall, side effects from minoxidil are rare. Minoxidil has been a trusted hair loss medication for over 30 years.
If I haven’t answered all of your questions about the potential side effects of using this medication for hair loss, please leave them in the comments below. I’ll make sure to answer them, and as always, I’m here to help with your hair loss journey.
Minoxidil for Hair Loss: 2%, 5%, 10%, 12.5%, 25%
Minoxidil is one of the most effective drugs for treating hair loss. However, many patients hesitate how to apply minoxidil due to misinformation or confusion with the side effects of finasteride, another hormone-blocking medication. Let’s address these concerns.
Doctors introduced minoxidil about 50 years ago as an antihypertensive medication to lower blood pressure. However, it was not very effective on its own and required combination therapy with other drugs and diuretics. During its use, researchers discovered it caused excessive hair growth, which many women found bothersome. This side effect, along with potential cardiac risks, made it unpopular as a treatment for hypertension. Today, doctors primarily use minoxidil in lotion form to treat hair loss.
How Minoxidil Works
Patients apply minoxidil directly to the scalp once or twice daily, depending on the doctor’s recommendation. The lotion comes in different concentrations, including 2%, 5%, 10%, 12.5%, and 15%. Guidelines recommend 2% and 5%, though doctors may prescribe 10% off-label for patients who do not respond to lower concentrations.
Minoxidil works when an enzyme in the body converts it to minoxidil sulfate, its active form. Less than 0.1% of people lack this enzyme and do not respond to the drug. If you see no improvement after three months of use, you may belong to this group.
Minoxidil is safe for most people, but those with cardiac issues or hypertension should avoid it. In rare cases, it may absorb into the bloodstream and cause heart-related side effects. A qualified dermatologist will assess your condition before prescribing the medication.
Minoxidil vs. Finasteride
Do not confuse minoxidil with finasteride, another treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT, a hormone responsible for baldness.
Finasteride tablets can cause reduced libido or depression in some users, known as “finasteride syndrome.” If you experience these side effects, stop the medication and consult your doctor. Topical finasteride, available in lotion form, has fewer side effects and serves as an alternative.
Every patient responds differently to treatments. Discuss your concerns with a dermatologist to make an informed decision. Avoid unnecessary fears about side effects, and work with your doctor to choose the most suitable treatment for your hair loss.