For Minoxidil Topical Solution to work best, you should allow Minoxidil Topical Solution to remain on the scalp for about 4 hours before washing.
Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil. Immediately after using this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. Do not use a hairdryer to dry the scalp after you apply minoxidil solution. Blowing with a hairdryer on the scalp may make the treatment less effective.
Ideally it is left on for 8 hours but the 'minimum' time I advise is 4-6 hours. After 4 hours, 75 % of the minoxidil is absorbed. This advice comes from a 1990 study.
Without regular shampooing, this residue may build up and irritate the scalp or affect the absorption of subsequent minoxidil applications. Shampooing every second day is often ideal to ensure your scalp remains clean although if you have an Afro hair type, perhaps try washing your hair once per week.
Can I brush my hair after applying minoxidil? Before brushing your hair, allow around 30 minutes for the minoxidil to absorb sufficiently into your scalp. This will ensure no product is removed by the hair brush, or brushed into the hair. What happens if some minoxidil liquid drips down my head?
Applying minoxidil at least two hours before bedtime allows the scalp to dry fully, which can help prevent minoxidil from being spread to another part of your body as you sleep.
While you are taking minoxidil, weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds (about 1 kg) in an adult is normal and should be lost with continued treatment.
Minoxidil liquid may be more irritating than the foam, but it can allow for more targeted application. The foam dries faster and doesn't drip as much. You can save money on topical minoxidil by using a free GoodRx coupon with a prescription.
Early stages of treatment
Within 2-4 months, hair shedding starts to decrease as the medication begins working to grow new hair. Some people may also experience minor scalp irritation like flaking, redness or itching when beginning Minoxidil treatment. Using the foam version instead of the liquid solution can help.
Problems may arise if you over-use on your minoxidil, particularly if you do not wash your hair very often. This can cause a build-up of residue on the scalp which may lead to irritation and dryness.
Topical Minoxidil starts to work after one application, but it takes longer than this to see a visible impact on your hair. You won't see initial results until approximately two months after you start using it [1]. You're likely to see the best results after four to six months of treatment.
This medication must be used on a regular basis for your hair to regrow. It may take 2 to 4 months of regular use before you notice any improvement. It is important to continue to use this product to maintain regrowth of hair. Once you stop using it, the regrown hair will usually fall out within 3 months.
Minoxidil is a potent directly acting vasodilator previously used in treatment-resistant hypertension. It possesses several serious side effects including fluid retention, worsening of heart failure, reflex tachycardia, angina, myocardial infarction, pericardial effusion, and hypotension.
Can I comb my hair after applying Minoxidil? Yes. Minoxidil should be applied to the scalp and not to the hair shaft. Therefore, combing the hair after the application of minoxidil is not a problem.
To date, there is no good evidence in the medical literature that minoxidil promotes aging of the face. As for affecting collagen synthesis - minoxidil probably DOES affect collagen synthesis in the scalp.
Rogaine in both the 2% & 5% minoxidil formulations can eventually result in thicker, denser hair—but it will take up to 6 to 7 months to achieve. You will have to keep up with the treatment in order to maintain. This solution works best on the vertex & crown areas, less so for the front & temple pattern hair loss.
Does Minoxidil make you gain weight? Minoxidil has some side effects like other medications. It may cause weight gain due to water retention in the body. Doctors prescribe other medicines along with oral Minoxidil (for hypertension) to prevent water retention.
2% minoxidil is recommended for people with minor hair loss or who are sensitive to the medication. It has a decreased chance of negative effects and is frequently advised for women due to its milder nature. 5% minoxidil improves outcomes for more severe hair loss and may work faster or more efficiently.
In addition, discontinuing minoxidil use may cause hair loss to resume. Minoxidil only works while it is being used, and it is not a treatment for hair loss. Any hair growth you experienced while taking minoxidil may be lost if you stop taking it, and hair loss may resume.
Minoxidil 5% is thought to yield superior results compared to both minoxidil 2% and minoxidil 10%. While minoxidil 10% produces similar results to minoxidil 2% and 5%, it causes a marked increase in side effects without increasing any benefits.
Applying tretinoin can enhance this conversion and improve minoxidil absorption. Enter: Retinol, but specifically Tretinoin, which is only offered as a prescription. This form of retinol can used topically on the scalp (before minoxidil) and helps raise sulfotransferase levels to boost the efficacy of minoxidil.
Ketoconazole has antifungal and anti-androgen properties and can also reverse baldness. Some treatments for male pattern baldness include a combination of minoxidil and ketoconazole. Ketoconazole shampoo is among the best shampoos to use with minoxidil.