Minoxidil is a highly effective hair loss treatment for many different types of alopecia, including the most common: male pattern baldness. But to get the best results, you need to know how to apply minoxidil the right way.
If you’ve been applying minoxidil for a while but aren’t getting the results you hoped for (or you haven’t used it before), learn how to maximise your regrowth results by applying minoxidil effectively. Here, you’ll find out:
- How to apply minoxidil spray and foam.
- How to effectively apply minoxidil to different scalp zones.
- Safety issues you need to consider when applying minoxidil.
- More ways to maximise results from minoxidil.
Table of Contents
- Quick tips for best minoxidil application results
- How to apply minoxidil spray
- How to apply minoxidil foam
- How to apply minoxidil to your hairline
- How to apply minoxidil to your crown
- How to apply minoxidil to your beard
- Safety tips when applying minoxidil
- How else can I maximise minoxidil results?
- Get minoxidil spray for the best price at DrHair
- FAQs
Quick tips for best minoxidil application results
- Apply minoxidil twice a day every day.
- Apply minoxidil to your scalp, not your hair.
- Part your hair around the areas affected by hair loss to allow maximum minoxidil exposure.
- Use your fingertips to massage minoxidil into your scalp.
- Keep your scalp dry for at least 4 hours after each minoxidil application (the longer you leave it, the better your results will be).
- Clean the spray nozzle regularly to avoid product buildup and ensure you’re applying the right amount of minoxidil each time.
How to apply minoxidil spray
DrHair provides 5% minoxidil as a spray for the easiest possible application. Here’s how to apply minoxidil spray for optimal regrowth:
- Make sure your hair and scalp are fully dry before applying minoxidil. Don’t be tempted to apply minoxidil when your hair’s still slightly wet, as this can dilute the solution and make it less effective.
- Part your hair to reveal as much skin as possible in the affected areas.
- Use the targeted nozzle (for small areas) or spray head (for large areas) to spray the solution on these areas.
- Use the minoxidil pump approximately 5-6 times in total to dispense 1 ml of the solution.
- Use your fingertips to rub the solution into your skin. Catch any drips and massage these in as well.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after applying minoxidil. It can be dangerous to pets, so this is especially important if you have cats or dogs.
How to apply minoxidil foam
Minoxidil foam may be preferable if you experience minoxidil side effects like skin irritation or a minoxidil-related rash. Here’s how to apply minoxidil foam for best results:
- As with minoxidil spray, make sure your scalp is completely dry before applying minoxidil foam.
- Dispense half a cap of minoxidil foam into your hand.
- Part your hair around your thinning areas for maximum product exposure.
- Use your fingertips to apply the foam to the thinning areas of your scalp. Massage the minoxidil foam into your skin.
- When finished, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Minoxidil foam can also be dangerous to pets, so it’s important to remove any traces of the product from your hands after application.
How to apply minoxidil to your hairline
For most men with male pattern baldness, hair loss begins along the frontal hairline. Minoxidil is also most effective if applied in the early stages of male pattern baldness. So this is one of the most common and important areas for effective minoxidil application.
Here’s how to apply minoxidil to your hairline and temples for the best chances of hair loss prevention:
- Make sure your hairline is fully dry.
- In front of a mirror, gently pull back the hair around your left temple.
- Using the targeted nozzle, apply 2-3 sprays of minoxidil to the exposed skin. Massage the solution into your skin with your fingertips. Alternatively, apply a quarter of a capful of minoxidil foam to the area.
- Release the hair and repeat the process for your right temple.
- If one temple is thinning more than the other, apply an extra spray (or slightly more foam) to this side.
- Wash your hands after minoxidil application.
How to apply minoxidil to your crown
If your hair loss has progressed to affect the top of your head, here’s how to apply minoxidil to your crown:
- Make sure your hair is dry across the top and back of your head.
- Angle two mirrors so you can clearly see the thinning patch on your crown. If necessary, part the hair around this area to reveal the skin underneath.
- Using the spray head, apply 5-6 sprays of minoxidil to the exposed skin. Alternatively, apply half a capful of minoxidil foam to the area.
- Massage the solution into your crown with your fingertips.
- Wash your hands after minoxidil application.
If your hair is thinning across the hairline and crown, adjust the amounts of minoxidil accordingly based on where your hair is thinning most. Don’t use more than the recommended amount in total (1 ml — approximately 5-6 sprays or half a capful of foam) as this can put you at greater risk of minoxidil side effects.
How to apply minoxidil to your beard
Minoxidil can also help improve beard growth (though it’s not currently licensed for this purpose) [1]. If you do want to use minoxidil for beard growth, here’s how to apply it:
- Make sure your face is clean and dry prior to application.
- Use the targeted spray nozzle to apply up to 5-6 sprays of minoxidil to thinning or patchy areas on your beard.
- Use your fingertips to massage minoxidil into these areas.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after application.
Safety tips when applying minoxidil
While minoxidil is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss, there are some potential safety considerations to note:
- Minoxidil can be harmful to cats and dogs [2]. So if you have pets, it’s really important to wash your hands after applying minoxidil and keep the bottle in a secure place.
- Women who are or may be pregnant shouldn’t use minoxidil, as it may cause problems with a developing foetus [3].
- Any minoxidil user who is in regular contact with a pregnant woman should take extra precautions to ensure she isn’t exposed to minoxidil. For example, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, and keep your scalp covered for several hours after applying minoxidil.
- Minoxidil may be excreted in breastmilk, so women who are breastfeeding should avoid using minoxidil [4].
How else can I maximise minoxidil results?
Proper minoxidil application is a good way to get the best hair growth possible. But there are a few other ways you can maximise your potential hair gains when using minoxidil:
1. Combine minoxidil with finasteride
Men with male pattern baldness can safely combine minoxidil with oral or topical finasteride to improve their hair loss symptoms [5]. Using combined topical finasteride + minoxidil or oral finasteride + minoxidil can give you better results than either treatment by itself [5].
Learn more about the finasteride and minoxidil results you can expect to achieve.
2. Use minoxidil fortified with azelaic acid
Unlike many other minoxidil products on the market, DrHair’s minoxidil formula contains 2% azelaic acid for hair. Azelaic acid can promote hair growth in its own right, so you could potentially boost the impact of minoxidil by using this formula [6].
3. Use a derma roller alongside minoxidil
Derma rolling (also known as microneedling) involves using a small instrument with several needles to create a series of tiny wounds in thinning areas. The wound healing process helps to promote hair growth.
Studies have shown that derma rolling can also improve minoxidil absorption in the scalp, generating better results [7]. Weekly microneedling treatment along with twice-daily minoxidil application can improve hair count and visible hair growth within just three months [7].
Get minoxidil spray for the best price at DrHair
As a supplier to major pharmacies, DrHair can provide you with the best prices and exceptional service. As well as 5% minoxidil spray, we offer topical finasteride + minoxidil spray, or oral finasteride + minoxidil spray for those seeking the best possible hair regrowth.
You’ll also get:
- Fast discreet delivery
- The best prices, guaranteed
- Subscription-free hair loss treatments
- More cost-effective options when you subscribe
- Doctor-led advice and support if needed
- Rapid assessment (our process takes less than a minute)
Take a look at all our hair loss products for more options and information.
FAQs
Learn more about minoxidil application in these frequently asked questions.
There are a few common mistakes some minoxidil users make when applying this product:
- Spraying minoxidil on the hair rather than the scalp. Minoxidil works by dilating your scalp blood vessels, so the product should be applied directly to your skin.
- Applying too much product. Using more than the recommended amount can put you at greater risk of side effects like skin irritation.
- Stopping minoxidil due to temporary hair shedding. Minoxidil can cause temporary hair loss in the short-term, but this is a normal side effect and actually means the treatment is working. It normally stops within a few weeks of use.
Avoiding these mistakes can help you get the best results from minoxidil.
Yes. Combing your hair won’t reduce the effectiveness of minoxidil.
It’s best to wait at least 4 hours after a minoxidil application before washing your hair. But ideally you should leave it as long as possible to minimise the risk of washing the minoxidil off your scalp.
You can shower immediately after applying minoxidil as long as the water doesn’t come into contact with your scalp. Wearing a shower cap can help.
