How Men Should Apply Minoxidil for Hair Growth

While it’s probably not part of your daily group chat discussion, minoxidil is a popular topical medication for treating hair loss — in fact, we’d argue it might be the most popular, when you consider it’s sold under brand names like Rogaine®.

The reason it’s so popular? Research shows that minoxidil helps to improve hair growth, and can potentially fill in a bald spot (even in your beard) or receding hairline, usually over the course of several months of daily use. 

In other words, it actually works — and unlike a hair transplant, it won’t require any surgical work. After using minoxidil, you might notice that your hair loss stops, or that hair in some parts of your scalp becomes thicker and less affected by male pattern hair loss.

The thing is, you’ve got to use it correctly — like the voice control for the TV. And some guys just don’t get that not using minoxidil the right way will keep you from the best possible results. 

Below, we’ve explained how you should apply both minoxidil foam and minoxidil liquid to treat hair loss. We’ve also discussed the basics of how minoxidil works as a hair loss treatment, and what to do after using it to get the best and safest results.

How to Apply Minoxidil

Minoxidil comes in two main formulations: minoxidil topical solution and minoxidil foam. We’ll cover what you need to know about minoxidil application in both forms.

Minoxidil Solution Application

Using minoxidil liquid solution is pretty easy. The entire process only takes a few minutes, making it easy to work into your hair care routine. Here’s how to apply it:

1. Make sure your hair is completely dry before use. If you’ve taken a shower or bath, dry your hair before applying minoxidil solution.

2. Fill the dropper provided with your medication with 1 milliliter (ml) of minoxidil. You should see a black line on the dropper indicating the 1 ml mark.

3. Using the dropper, apply the minoxidil to the areas of the scalp that are affected by hair loss. It may help to part your hair in several places so that the minoxidil can easily come into contact with your scalp.

4. Using your fingers, rub the minoxidil solution into your scalp.

5. After you’ve applied the minoxidil, put the cap back on the bottle, and wash your fingers thoroughly using soap and warm water to remove any remaining minoxidil from your skin.

Minoxidil solution is intended for use twice a day. Most people who use minoxidil apply it once in the morning and once in the evening, typically a few hours before going to bed.

Minoxidil Foam Application

Here’s how to minoxidil foam to your scalp:

1. Make sure your hair is completely dry before applying minoxidil. Before applying the foam, gently part your hair so that your scalp is easy to reach.

2. Hold the can upside down and press the nozzle to dispense half a capful of foam onto your fingers.

3. Using your fingers, gently apply the foam to the areas of the scalp that are affected by hair loss. Massage it into your scalp using your fingers.

4. After you’ve finished applying the minoxidil foam, wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of any remaining minoxidil.

If you’re using minoxidil foam, you’ll also apply it twice a day. Typically, you’ll use half a capful of foam for each application (so a total of one capful of foam a day).

Tips for Applying Minoxidil

Although minoxidil application is pretty straightforward, we’ve got some tips for getting the most out of either the solution or the foam:

• After you’ve applied minoxidil, allow the medication to dry for four hours before you wear a hat, use a hair dryer, or wash your hair.

• Don’t exceed the recommended minoxidil dosage for hair loss. Applying minoxidil more often will not improve your results, but it may increase your risk of side effects.

• Rinse minoxidil off if it gets on other parts of the body. If it drips onto your forehead or face, for instance, use cool water to wash it away.

• Avoid getting it on your clothing. Unfortunately, minoxidil can stain, so try to prevent it from getting on clothing or bedding. Wait for it to dry before lying on your pillow.

Lastly, if you’re experiencing any concerning side effects — like extreme skin irritation – it’s a good idea to pause using it and consult a healthcare practitioner. We’ll cover the side effects of minoxidil later.

What Should You Do If You Forget to Use Minoxidil Daily?

If you forget to use minoxidil and remember shortly after the missed dose, try to apply it as soon as you can. On the other hand, if it’s already about time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and use the medication as normal.

Minoxidil works best when you use it consistently (ideally, every day). You should notice some new hair growth after about four months of consistent minoxidil use , so don’t give up if you aren’t noticing improvements after a few weeks.

If you often find you’ve forgotten to apply minoxidil, here are a couple suggestions for how to better remember:

• Keep your minoxidil  in an obvious, impossible-to-miss location. It’s helpful to store minoxidil in a place where it will be right in front of you when you use it — say, on your bedside table or near your toothbrush.

• Place a sticky note, or set a calendar reminder. A sticky note on your bathroom mirror can be a great way to remember. More of a digital person? Try setting an alarm on your phone for a few minutes after you wake up. Hit the snooze button a lot? Create a recurring event in your phone’s calendar app.

Rest assured, the longer and more consistently you use minoxidil, the easier it will become to remember to apply it. That’s because the more you do it, the more likely it is to become a habit (especially once you start seeing results).

How to Store Minoxidil

Excess heat and moisture could affect the product, so when you’re not using minoxidil, keep it stored in a convenient location away from spots like your radiator or shower.

And if you have young children or pets in your home, you don’t want them getting into your minoxidil. Try to store minoxidil (and other medications) in a location that’s out of their sight and reach.

Does Minoxidil Cause Side Effects?

For the most part, minoxidil is a safe and effective medication. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication, which means it has to meet specific criteria for safety and effectiveness.

That said, all medications have side effects, and minoxidil is no exception. The most common minoxidil side effects include:

• Skin irritation

• Dryness

• Scaling

• Burning

• Flaking

• Itching

Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any of these side effects while using this medication.

It’s also important to note that you might experience temporary hair shedding when you first start using minoxidil. So if you notice a little extra hair fall, don’t panic — your hair will grow back soon, as long as you’re using the treatment consistently.

Other Hair Loss Treatments

If minoxidil isn’t right for you, or if you’d like to pair it with another hair regrowth treatment for maximum effect, you’ve got other options:

• Finasteride: An FDA-approved, prescription hair loss treatment, finasteride is effective at slowing down androgenetic alopecia (aka male pattern baldness).

• Combining minoxidil and finasteride: Using a combination of finasteride and minoxidil can be super effective for treating male pattern hair loss. You can try our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray, or take finasteride pills along with topically applying minoxidil.

• Hair growth supplements: One possible cause of hair loss is nutritional deficiencies. Along with eating a varied, balanced diet, you can use supplements like our biotin gummies to support healthy hair growth.

• Hair care products: Some products actually promote hair regrowth, like our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto. A dermatologist or hair stylist can also point you in the right direction on your options.

In addition, it’s a good idea to stick to gentle hair care techniques when you’re trying to address hair loss. Styling your hair too roughly can cause breakage, which can make your hair appear thinner and less healthy.

The TL;DR on Minoxidil Application

Whatever has you investigating minoxidil — thinning hair, bald patches, or the realization that your hairline is starting to look like your dad’s — you’re in the right place.

Losing hair can be frustrating, but there are solutions.

Luckily, minoxidil is a science-backed medication that’s supported by decades of comprehensive, large-scale scientific research. Keep this key information in mind when it comes to how to use minoxidil:

• Using minoxidil is a simple process. Follow the instructions outlined above for how to apply minoxidil solution or foam to your scalp. Make sure to be consistent with minoxidil application to achieve the best results.

• Minoxidil works — but it doesn’t work overnight. It may take a few months before you notice any hair regrowth. So as long as you’ve read up on how to apply minoxidil properly, don’t sweat that you’re doing something wrong.

• Be aware of the side effects. While minoxidil is generally safe, it doesn’t agree with everyone. Mild side effects might go away after a few weeks of use, but if the side effects are bothering you, speak with a healthcare professional.

• Minoxidil can be paired with other hair regrowth treatments. You might benefit from using minoxidil alongside finasteride, hair growth supplements, and quality hair care products.

Got more questions? We can help you book a hair consultation with a healthcare professional. They can give you personalized medical advice and help you explore your hair loss treatment options.