How to Use Minoxidil (Rogaine)

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Has your hair seemed thinner in back, and you want to take care of that? Minoxidil may be a possible solution but with several, potentially severe side effects. Rogaine is one of the brand names for the drug minoxidil , which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with several post launch warnings to regrow hair in men with hereditary male pattern baldness and to help hair growth in women with thinning hair with certain health warnings. Application is quick and easy, and we'll show you what's involved. Read on!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Applying Minoxidil

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  1. Towel or blow-dry your hair as desired. Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry before applying the minoxidil. [1]
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  3. Minoxidil comes in two forms: liquid and foam. Both formulations can be used by men and women. [2]
    • Liquid: Load the applicator. Fill the applicator with 1 milliliter (0.034  fl oz) of minoxidil solution, or use 20 drops.
    • Foam: Invert the can and dispense about 1/2 a cap full of foam onto your fingers.
  4. Part your hair where it's thinning, and evenly apply the minoxidil to the affected area, rubbing it in with your fingers. Wash any residue off your hands. [3]
    • Focus on applying the product to the crown of your head. According to Matt King, professional hair stylist, "Rogaine is meant to be applied to the crown of the head. There are other options, such as minoxidil pills, that will help for other areas of the head, but Rogaine is generally meant to be applied on the crown of the head." [4]
  5. Allow the applied minoxidil to dry completely—about 20 to 25 minutes—before adding other hair-styling products such as gels, mousses. Wait 2-4 hours before going to bed. [5]
  6. Generally, this is twice a day—in the morning, and in the evening—or as often as your doctor recommends. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Minoxidil Effectively

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  1. Minoxidil is not a permanent cure for baldness, and will only be effective as long as you use it at least twice a day, every day. [7]
    • Use your phone to set a twice-a-day reminder, until it becomes an automatic habit.
  2. Additional amounts or more frequent applications will not improve your results; you'll only waste product. [8]
  3. If you skip an application, don't double up the next day. Simply pick back up where you left off. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

What to Expect

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  1. While it seems counter-intuitive, shedding hair means that new growth has begun. This may last a few weeks, but it is just temporary: the shedding hair is older hair that would have fallen out, making room for the newer, healthier hair. [10]
  2. New hair growth usually takes about 4 months, though some have results as early as 8 weeks. [11] New hair growth may be soft and downy, like peach fuzz.
    • Eventually, new hairs growing in will be the same color and thickness as your normal hair. To maintain this growth, you will need to continue using minoxidil.
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Expert Q&A

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      Tips

      • Minoxidil is safe to use on color-treated hair, but you might want to skip your evening application of minoxidil on the day that the color is applied to avoid causing minor irritation of the scalp.
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      • Avoid swimming or getting your hair wet for about a half an hour after applying minoxidil.
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      • If you do not see results after four months, consult with your doctor. Minoxidil may not be effective for you.
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      Warnings

      • Never apply minoxidil more than twice a day, even if you miss an application. Using minoxidil more often won't cause your hair to regrow sooner.
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      • If you stop using minoxidil, any new hair growth will fall out after several months. You must continue to use minoxidil indefinitely to prevent hair loss.
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      • Stop using minoxidil if your scalp becomes irritated, you develop unwanted hair growth on the face or other bothersome side effects.
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      • Don't use minoxidil on any part of the body other than the scalp.
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      • Rogaine isn't guaranteed to work for everyone and has several potential side effects.
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      • Children should not use minoxidil, and women should not use the products for men.
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      • Side effects of topical minoxidil include itching, redness, and dermatitis. [12] Potential side effects of oral minoxidil include pericardial effusion, pericarditis, tamponade, tachycardia, and angina. Patients with underlying heart disease may be at increased risk for these or other cardiovascular adverse effects. [13]
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about hair care, check out our in-depth interview with Matt King .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20068750
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20068750
      4. ↑ Matt King. Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group. Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20068750
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
      7. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689003.html
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20068750
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689003.html
      1. ↑ http://www.rogaine.com/category/products/what+to+expect.do?nType=2
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/side-effects/drg-20068750?p=1
      4. ↑ https://www.journalmc.org/index.php/JMC/article/view/1928/1422

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To use Minoxidil, which is often found under the brand name Rogaine, start by thoroughly washing your hair and scalp and drying it with a towel or hairdryer. If your Minoxidil is in liquid form, fill the applicator with 1 milliliter or 20 drops of solution. If it comes as a foam, spray about half a cap full into your fingers. Then, apply the solution evenly to your affected area and rub it in with your fingers. If you want to apply other hair products, like gel or mouse, wait 20-25 minutes to let the Minoxidil dry first. Repeat the process twice a day or as directed by your doctor. For more tips, including how to manage your expectations when using Minoxidil, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Nov 9, 2017

        "Everything in this article helped me, as I have just started using Minoxidil and was extremely confused about it. ..." more
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