It’s very easy to add minoxidil to your everyday grooming routine. Whether you spend a lot of time on personal styling or you’re out the door after a quick shower, it takes no more than a minute to apply 5% minoxidil to your scalp, to help stimulate hair growth.
So how often do you need to apply minoxidil to get results? The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recommends applying 1 ml of minoxidil to your scalp twice a day [1].
Here, you’ll see the results of twice-daily application of minoxidil 5% solution and whether you can — or should — apply minoxidil more or less frequently.
Table of Contents
- What is minoxidil and why should you apply it twice a day?
- Can you use minoxidil once a day?
- Can you use minoxidil every other day?
- Can you use minoxidil more than twice a day?
- How often should I apply minoxidil for beard growth?
- How often should I apply minoxidil for alopecia areata?
- What are the side effects of minoxidil?
- Is using minoxidil the right choice?
- FAQs
What is minoxidil and why should you apply it twice a day?
Minoxidil is a topical drug that dilates the blood vessels beneath the skin in the area it’s applied. Dilating the blood vessels improves blood flow, enabling more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the hair follicles. This is just one of the ways minoxidil works for hair growth.
It’s recommended that men with male pattern baldness apply minoxidil 5% to their balding areas twice a day. Research has shown this to be the most effective application schedule while also limiting the potential side effects [2]. So if you’re experiencing male pattern baldness, it’s probably best to use this treatment twice a day.
Learn how to apply minoxidil for best results, and how long minoxidil takes to work.
Can you use minoxidil once a day?
Yes — research shows that using minoxidil 5% once a day can also help reduce hair loss symptoms in men [3]. But you’re likely to see more ongoing hair loss than if you apply it twice a day, so it depends on how much hair you’re prepared to lose [2]. It’s also likely to take longer to see results.
For women, the advice is slightly different. Minoxidil 5% has a small risk of hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the face and body), so to minimise this risk, women are advised to use minoxidil 5% just once a day. Alternatively, 2% minoxidil is formulated specifically for female users, and can safely be used twice a day.
Can you use minoxidil every other day?
You can use minoxidil every other day, but this is likely to impede your results. You’re effectively using half the recommended dosage, so any regrowth will take longer to appear and may be less obvious than if you apply minoxidil every day.
For women, the advice is slightly different. Minoxidil 5% has a small risk of hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the face and body), so to minimise this risk, women are advised to use minoxidil 5% just once a day. Alternatively, 2% minoxidil is formulated specifically for female users, and can safely be used twice a day.
Can you use minoxidil more than twice a day?
You can use minoxidil more than twice a day if you wish to, but there’s no evidence that this will produce better or faster hair growth. You also increase the risk of experiencing minoxidil side effects — in particular, hypertrichosis.
Not only that, but you’ll use more product without seeing better results, which will cost more in the long run. So using more than the prescribed dose isn’t generally recommended.
How often should I apply minoxidil for beard growth?
Minoxidil for beard growth is an off-label use, so there’s no specific directive for how often to use minoxidil on your beard.
However, studies show that applying 1.5 ml of 5% minoxidil once a day or 1 ml of 5% minoxidil twice a day can promote beard growth [4-5].
If you’re interested in using minoxidil for beard growth, we recommend you book a consultation with our team to discuss your suitability, as this is an off-label use.
How often should I apply minoxidil for alopecia areata?
Using minoxidil as a treatment for alopecia areata is another off-label use. So it’s best to seek advice from a doctor to determine how often you should apply minoxidil for alopecia areata patches.
The US National Alopecia Areata Foundation suggests using minoxidil once or twice a day, though they don’t specify which concentration this applies to (5% or 2%) [6]. Studies suggest that applying 5% minoxidil twice a day generates better results for alopecia areata patients than applying a 2% concentration twice a day [7].
What are the side effects of minoxidil?
Minoxidil side effects tend to be mild. Not all users will experience them. Side effects of topical minoxidil include [1]:
- Skin redness, flaking and irritation
- Itchy scalp and ears
- Headaches
- Temporary minoxidil hair shedding
- Unwanted body hair growth
It’s rare, but some minoxidil users experienced other side effects including nausea, hair colour and texture changes, eye irritation, skin blistering and minoxidil rashes. Limiting your minoxidil application to twice a day may reduce the risk of more severe side effects.
If you’re worried about an adverse reaction, speak to your GP. While extremely rare, anaphylaxis can occur if you have a severe allergy to minoxidil. If you experience difficulty breathing, swelling, or severe dizziness, seek urgent treatment.
Is using minoxidil the right choice?
Minoxidil is one of several treatment approaches used in hair loss management. The most appropriate option depends on your individual circumstances and should be determined following a clinical assessment.
Complete an assessment to explore which treatment options may be considered appropriate for you, subject to clinical review. Any treatment is provided only where clinically appropriate and, where required, prescribed by a qualified clinician.
FAQs
Learn more about when and how to use minoxidil for best results in these FAQs.
Yes. For best results, you need to use minoxidil consistently. Missing a day here and there won’t hurt, but if you don’t apply it for several days your hair loss is likely to restart.
Yes. With the tips of your fingers, apply gentle pressure to massage the minoxidil solution into your scalp. This will minimise run-off and maximise hair growth, as massaging your scalp can help promote blood flow to the area.
Yes. Don’t worry if you accidentally skip one day of application; it probably won’t have a dramatic effect on your results. However, skipping minoxidil application regularly is likely to mean worse results, so it’s best to avoid this where possible.
If you do skip a day, there’s no need to use more minoxidil to make up for the missed application.
Using too much minoxidil (or applying it too frequently) can increase your risk of side effects. So it’s best avoided unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
