Minoxidil for Men: How It Works and What to Expect

Ever noticed more hair in the shower drain than on your head, this must have felt very frustrating. But you don’t just have to sit back and watch your hairline retreat.

There are millions of men who are dealing with male pattern baldness due to constant hair fall. But you don't need to worry as science has your back. 

Out of all the treatments out there, Minoxidil is the heavyweight champion. It is heavily researched, completely over-the-counter, and actually works.

But before you buy a bottle, you must understand how this stuff actually works? And what will it do to my head?

Let's understand it!

What is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is an orally taken drug to cure male pattern baldness because of hereditary factors. 

This was initially developed to reduce high blood pressure but later became a good stimulator of lazy and unhealthy scalp hair follicles. 

Wider openings of those tiny capillaries in your scalp will help increase blood circulation of oxygen-filled blood in them.

Working of Minoxidil:

Minoxidil helps in stimulating these glands and reduces hair loss. It does not heal baldness but will change the condition of your head so that you can grow more hair.

1. Improves Blood Flow

Minoxidil helps to dilate blood vessels of your scalp. With increased blood flow, you will get oxygen and nutrients needed for hair growth.

2. Prolongs Hair Growth Stage

Hair has its growth cycle. Minoxidil increases the stage of anagen and decreases the telogen, which allows for thicker and longer hair.

3. Makes Miniature Hairs Thicker Again

The balding process causes hair follicles to shrink. Minoxidil will help to revive miniature hairs and make them thick once again.

2% vs. 5% Minoxidil: What’s the Difference?

Minoxidil exists in two concentrations: 2% and 5%. Minoxidil also comes in the form of a liquid solution or a convenient spray-on foam.

According to the results of clinical trials, the 5% concentration is much more efficient in the case of male patients. In particular, the 5% concentration demonstrated better results in a clinical trial compared to 2%.

Liquid vs. Foam Formulation

Selecting the best hair serum for men should take into account your daily routine and skin sensitivity. The following table provides details on the two choices.

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Minoxidil Routine

Consistency is key. Apply the Minoxidil treatment once in the morning and one more time in the evening.

Morning Routine:

1. Dose Measurement:

• In case of liquids, you need to fill the dropper up to 1 mL.
• In case of foam, you have to shake it well and provide me with a few caps-fulls on top of or on my hands.

2. Wash and Dry:

• Take a shower and afterwards, dry your hair properly.
• Minoxidil must be applied on dry scalps.
• Once your skin is wet, Minoxidil may be absorbed rapidly and end up on your face.

3. Parting and Application:

• Clip off any long parts of hair located near your scalp and back, for instance hairline and crown.
• Apply the Minoxidil on yourself either via liquid dropper or foam from the bottle.

4. Massage Carefully:

• Rub carefully on the thin parts of skin with fingers. Don't irritate them since you'll get pain in return.

5. The Clean-Up:

• It is recommended that one washes his/her hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after their application. 
• This helps you avoid getting the dirt onto your face while re-applying the same.

6. Air Drying and Styling:

• Allow the serum to air dry on its own for some time.
• A blow dryer should not be used as it causes evaporation of your product.
• Once dried, one can use other hair products like waxes and gels for styling; one should also put on hats when necessary.

Evening Routine:

1. Get the Timing Right:--Prepare for applying the medicine in the evening, at least 1 to 2 hours before going to bed.

2. Prepare Your Scalp:--Similar to morning application, you need to make sure that you dried out your scalp.

3. Apply and Wash:

• Follow the same procedure from the morning session.
• Apply 1 mL of liquid or half of a cup full of foam.
• Rub it into the skin.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

4. Lock In:

• Let the serum dry out completely before laying my head on top of it.
• Whenever you go to sleep with my head, this medicine passes through me to my face, which results in growing unwanted hair on my face.

Quick Tips for Daily Success:

1. Maintain a Gap of 12 Hours:--Ensure a gap of around 10-12 hours between both applications during the morning and evening so that you could stimulate your hair roots throughout the day.

2. The 4-Hour Rule:--After applying the serum to your scalp, do not wash your hair, swim, or venture outside in heavy rains for at least four hours so that your skin can properly absorb it.

What Results to Expect?

Patience becomes another wonderful resource in initiating the process of production of male hair serums. Growth of hair takes time and occurs in a natural way. And this is how my schedule will look.

1. Months 1-2 The Temporary Shedding:

• Don’t be afraid. Men usually experience hair loss at the beginning and this is good news.
• Minoxidil stimulates the process of removing old hair to have new ones of high quality.

2. Months 3-4 Early Growth:

Hair shedding comes to an end. Fine, soft and colorless hair begins to grow in the places which had experienced hair loss.

3. Months 6-9 Visible Results:

Now hair becomes thicker, darker and fits into my existing hair style. The hair density of my head becomes visible.

4. Month 12+ (Maintenance):

Achieve your record score. But being consistent can help you keep your new hair growth.

Boosting Your Results: Better Together

Despite the effectiveness of this product by itself, research has found out that the combination of this product with certain other methods is more productive than its use alone.

Research studies have also found that the combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride is more effective than their individual uses. Get the help of a professional in skincare for your skin care routine, which would suit your needs.

Who Should Avoid the Use of Minoxidil?

1. Premature and sporadic hair loss:--Avoid using minoxidil in case of sudden hair loss and unidentified causes of hair shedding. This product is designed only for hereditary pattern baldness in men.

2. Under 18 Years of Age:--Minoxidil is not prescribed for usage by children and teens who are under 18 years old.

3. No Genetic Disposition:--But in case of no genetic history of progressive hair loss, one should seek professional consultation.

Scalp Health & Care

1. Healthy Scalp Alone:--Do not use the lotion on an infected, irritated, sore, and swollen scalp.

2. Broken Skin Not Allowed:--Do not rub the lotion on areas of burned and injured skin because it might absorb too much into the body.

3. Never Mix Products:--Do not apply any other scalp medications together with the lotion unless instructed by a physician.

Application & Daily Routine

1. Keep It Dry:--It is necessary to use a spray on a fully dried head and hair. You must not wash or wet your hair for at least 4 hours after applying this solution on your head and hair.

2. Wash Your Hands:--You need to clean your hands before using them as you do not want to get this substance transferred onto you via touching.

3. No Hair Dryers:--You should let the serum dry out on its own. The use of a hair dryer right after applying this solution will lessen its effectiveness.

4. Mind the Pillowcases:--You should have a fully dried sleeping pad for you to use during the night time. This medicine can seep into your pillowcase when your head becomes wet, and cause some facial hair growth when you sleep.

Medical Warning while using minoxidil

Minoxidil is applied externally, but some of it does end up being absorbed into the body. Discontinue the use of this product at once if you suffer from any of the following side effects:

Safety and Side Effects

Generally speaking, the drug is not dangerous for most men, but there are some possible adverse effects that can occur from improper usage of minoxidil.

1. Scalp Irritation:

Dryness, redness, and irritation of the scalp are the result of the presence of some liquids that consist of propylene glycol. The foam form works perfectly in this case.

2. Facial Hair Growth:

Using serum in the facial area and forehead will cause hair growth there. You must wipe off the skin after the use of this product.

3. The Golden Rule:

You have to be consistent. But if you decide to stop using minoxidil, then the new hair growth will fall out, and the hair will become thin once again. 

Conclusion

Minoxidil is a very effective treatment for those suffering from baldness because of scientifically researched findings. It does not matter whether you choose an old-fashioned recipe mixed with some fancy thing like tinfal hair growth serum; what matters is your consistency.

The duration of treatment to do it is specified; you will be able to cope with the shedding phase without any difficulty if you observe all the required precautions to achieve the fuller appearance of your scalp.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. Is there anything that could be done to stop using minoxidil after my hair regrowth?

No. It's not possible as minoxidil is not a permanent remedy for hair loss problems. It's just constant medication. As soon as I stop using my hair serum for men, my newly grown hair would be lost in three or four months and then I would keep losing my hair further.

Q2. Why do I lose more hair from the moment of minoxidil use?

This process is named as minoxidil shedding and there is nothing to worry about. The thing is that it helps hair growth by removing old thin hairs for growing new ones. Usually, this stage lasts for two months.

Q3. Which version works better: foam or liquid solution?

They both work great in hair growth promotion. However, there are some ingredients that can cause some itching/irritation on a scalp for some males if they consume this drug. Foam is drying faster than any other foams because it does not drip off its surface and it is soft for sensitive skin.

Q4. How many times per day should I apply 5% Minoxidil?

When using this solution for males, you need to use it twice a day - morning and night, applying it to the balding areas on the scalp. Study all instructions in the packets of individual items.