Men may use the 5% minoxidil foam twice a day while women should only apply once a day. 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.
Although the Minoxidil works best when used twice a day, using it once a day will also be effective (and better than not using it at all). Many patients find applying the medication once a day at bedtime to be the most convenient way to use it.
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.
It's most effective if you're under age 40 and have only recently started to lose your hair. How to use it: Twice a day, when your hair is dry, apply minoxidil on your scalp where the hair has started to thin. Then be patient. You may not notice changes for 4 months or more.
Be consistent with your application. As is the case with any type of medication, you need to be consistent and routine with your application of Minoxidil. You are required to apply 1ml of Minoxidil solution to the areas of your scalp affected by male pattern hair loss, and you need to do this twice a day.
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.
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.
Minoxidil has other effects that could be bothersome for some patients. These include increased hair growth, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain. Before you take this medicine, be sure that you have discussed the use of it with your doctor.
The best times to apply Minoxidil are in the morning and evening. You should use it twice per day, about 12 hours apart. Many people apply it after showering or before bed when their hair is dry. Using it at set times each day helps make it a consistent routine.
After 16 weeks of administration, minoxidil has been found to promote hair growth in approximately 35% of individuals in clinical trials [3,4]. While 30-40% of patients in physician-guided studies reported success, this percentage is dramatically lower in subjects who self-administer minoxidil.
Leaving overnight is not a problem. What happens if minoxidil touches the face? It can cause hair growth in these areas. Therefore, women should not touch their face after applying topical minoxidil.
The FDA has approved minoxidil (Rogaine), available over the counter, as a hair loss treatment for both men and women. It helps thicken hair follicles and promotes hair lengthening.
Avoid exposure to fire or flames, and do not smoke during and immediately after applying topical minoxidil. HEART PROBLEMS: Topical minoxidil is less likely to affect the heart than oral minoxidil. You should still check with your doctor before using topical minoxidil if you have a history of heart disease.
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.
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.
Contraindications include the following: Minoxidil should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its constituents, including propylene glycol. The utilization of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Rosemary oil is preferred by people who prefer a natural approach and have modest hair thinning, but minoxidil is preferred by users looking for a more potent, clinically confirmed therapy for advanced hair loss. Many consumers find success with one product over another, and some even combine them to maximize benefits.
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.
Use the same concentration of minoxidil, but use more of it... or use it more often. For some patients, using more minoxidil allows more to get into the scalp. This is especially true for males using minoxidil and may be true for some women as well.
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.
Oral finasteride is one of the most popular alternatives to minoxidil for male pattern baldness. Known by the brand-name Propecia, finasteride has DHT blocker effects and is FDA-approved as an effective medication to stop hair loss in men. It is also approved for an enlarged prostate under the brand-name Proscar.
Some studies indicate that while topical Minoxidil 10% may perform somewhat better in improving frontal hair density in men [2], the 5% formula is more effective in promoting overall hair growth [3]. Moreover, the stronger variety can produce more side effects.