It is a proven fact that minoxidil is one of the best medications available for treating male pattern baldness, a condition that affects 85% of men at some point in life [1]. But that doesn’t mean this medication is only effective against scalp hair loss. Many men wonder if they can also use minoxidil for beard growth.
While more research is needed to prove this, studies conducted so far show promising results [2]. Preliminary findings show that patients treated with this medication do indeed tend to grow fuller, healthier beards in a matter of months [3]. Keep reading this article to learn all about minoxidil beard growth, such as:
- What minoxidil is and how it can help your beard grow
- Evidence regarding minoxidil beard growth effectiveness
- The risks of using minoxidil for beard growth
- Tips and tricks for achieving optimal minoxidil beard growth
Table of Contents
- What is minoxidil and how does it work?
- How effective is minoxidil for beard growth?
- Before and after using minoxidil for beard growth
- How long before you can see minoxidil beard growth results?
- What are the risks of using minoxidil for your beard?
- How to apply minoxidil for beard growth
- Tips for improved minoxidil beard growth
- What kind of minoxidil is best for beard growth?
- Is minoxidil beard growth permanent?
- Alternatives to minoxidil for beard growth
- Are you searching for the best minoxidil for beard growth?
- Frequently asked questions
What is minoxidil and how does it work?
Minoxidil is one of the most frequently prescribed hair growth treatments in the world. Minoxidil works by dilating the small blood vessels in your scalp to allow more blood flow to your hair follicles [4]. The blood contains the oxygen and nutrients needed to produce stronger, healthier hair shafts and to prevent hair miniaturisation.
Both men and women can safely use minoxidil and it is recommended for many types of alopecia. While it is most commonly used to curb or reverse earlier stages of male pattern baldness, it can also help improve the symptoms of other hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata, chronic telogen effluvium or chemotherapy-induced alopecia [5].
Minoxidil has not yet been FDA or MHRA-approved for beard loss (due to insufficient research), but it is frequently used off-label. Most men use it topically for beard growth in different forms: solution, foam, gel or spray. However, some prefer oral minoxidil tablets (especially if they’re also experiencing scalp hair loss). While they are more comfortable to use [12], they may carry an additional risk of systemic side effects.
How effective is minoxidil for beard growth?
So far, there haven’t been many studies to show the effectiveness of minoxidil on beard growth. But those that have taken place showed promising results.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in 2016 on 48 men with sparse beard hair [6]. After 16 weeks of applying a 3% minoxidil topical solution twice a day, patients in the test group showed significant improvement in facial hair density compared to the placebo group. However, there was no improvement in hair thickness.
Another small study, published in 2024 [7], was conducted on 16 female-to-male trans people undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy. They were treated with topical minoxidil 2% for 6 months and showed substantial facial hair growth (however, this effect may have been boosted by the testosterone treatment they were receiving).
Finally, a case report published in 2024 [8] describes the results obtained by treating one identical twin in a pair with 5% topical minoxidil. In the beginning, both brothers had very similar facial hair. After 16 months of treatment, the twin treated with minoxidil showed a visibly improved beard hair count and density compared to both his brother and his own baseline.
Twin (a) was treated with Minoxidil for beard growth for 16 weeks, while twin (b) did not undergo any treatment (Shokravi & Zargham, 2024). Source & image credit: [8]
Before and after using minoxidil for beard growth
Many men have tried applying minoxidil to improve their beard density and help obtain better coverage on their sparser areas. Some of them have shared their minoxidil beard growth journey online. Here are some photographs of their treatment progress:
Before using minoxidil, the young man above only had good facial hair growth on his lower jawline and his moustache. However, after having used the treatment for a year, his cheeks and chin have significantly better coverage.
Minoxidil does not only help improve beard growth, it can also help you get a fuller moustache or even thicker eyebrows if you’d like them [9]. How long before you can see minoxidil beard growth results?
It normally doesn’t take very long for minoxidil to work. You may be able to see the first signs of improved facial hair density after 1-2 months of consistent minoxidil treatment. That means you may see new, fine, lighter-coloured strands appearing in previously sparse areas of your beard [8].
However, it will often take as long as 3-4 months (in some people, even longer) before you see your full results, which involve a greater density of thicker, terminal (full-sized) facial hair [2][7][10].
What are the risks of using minoxidil for your beard?
Minoxidil is a very safe medication and if you use it as per your prescription, you shouldn’t be too worried about adverse reactions [2]. While patients do experience certain side effects, minoxidil side effects are usually mild, such as [3][7][8]:- Beard area itching or irritation
- Beard area dryness and flaking
- Excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis) around the beard area (often due to accidentally getting minoxidil on other parts of your face)
- Rare allergic reactions (watch out for a minoxidil rash)
How to apply minoxidil for beard growth
Different types of minoxidil formulations require different approaches for a correct application that ensures optimal effects. The first thing you need to do before application is to make sure your beard area is clean and dry, and wash your hands thoroughly. Then apply the minoxidil as follows:
| Minoxidil formulation | How to apply it |
|---|---|
| Minoxidil Solution | Fill the dropper with the required amount of solution. Tilt your face in a way that limits dripping. Use your free hand to expose the skin in your sparse beard area. Then pour the solution on your skin and gently rub it in. |
| Minoxidil Foam | Shake the can of foam before use. Then remove the cap, hold one hand below the nozzle and press it gently with the other. Release the foam slowly, as it can expand. Get half a cap of foam on your fingers and work it lightly, with circular motions, into your patchy beard areas. |
| Minoxidil Gel | Squeeze a pea-sized amount of gel onto your fingers and spread it evenly in a thin layer on the sparse areas of your beard. Gently massage the area to help it absorb the gel. |
| Minoxidil Spray | Shake the spray bottle well, remove the cap and hold it 5-10 cm away from your beard area. Point it towards your thinning beard area and press the nozzle shortly and lightly 5-6 times. Then use your fingers to gently massage the solution in. |
After applying any form of topical minoxidil, give it at least 4 hours to absorb properly into your skin. Don’t wash or wipe your beard area during this time unless you are experiencing unpleasant side effects (such as an allergic reaction).
Tips for improved minoxidil beard growth
If you’d like to make the most out of your minoxidil beard growth treatment, here are some helpful tips you can use:
- Use the medication as recommended – topical minoxidil is normally recommended twice a day for men and consistency is key in achieving the best results. If you miss a dose, don’t use more product the next time to compensate, that will not work. Best to set a timer to remind you to apply your treatment.
- Avoid over-application – Using too much minoxidil will not make your beard grow faster, but it can increase your risk of side effects, such as itching, flaking or dryness.
- Always use minoxidil on a dry face – wet skin can dilute the minoxidil solution or prevent it from adhering well to the skin. Be sure to wipe off any sweat or water before applying the medication.
- Make sure the solution reaches your skin – if you have a long, thick beard with some sparser areas, use your hand to properly expose the skin before applying the minoxidil solution. This ensures it doesn’t get caught in the nearby strands.
- Store your minoxidil properly – always put the cap back on the container and store it in a cool, dry location (as opposed to a warm and steamy bathroom).
- Make sure your minoxidil hasn’t expired – medications are at their most effective before their expiration date. Minoxidil normally has a 3-year shelf life, so check the date on the packaging.
- Try using minoxidil together with a derma roller – research shows that microneedling before applying minoxidil increases topical solution absorption [11] and may also help regenerate your hair follicles. While research has only been performed on scalp hair, the principle is likely similar for your beard area. The microneedling should be done weekly for good results, just make sure to wait 24 hours after using a derma roller on your scalp to apply the minoxidil.
What kind of minoxidil is best for beard growth?
While all minoxidil is used off-label for beard growth, topical forms allow you to apply the medication exactly where it is needed. They also have very low chances of systemic side effects, so they are safer than the oral variety.
Men often apply topical minoxidil 5% for beard growth, but if you only need a small boost, are experiencing side effects from this dose or are undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy, minoxidil 2-3% may also suffice [7].
Is minoxidil beard growth permanent?
Unfortunately, the beard growth improvements you have achieved by using minoxidil are likely not permanent. While no specific studies have been conducted for facial hair, scalp hair has been known to regress and return to a pre-treatment state after stopping minoxidil.
Some theories say that once new terminal hair has grown, it might survive the end of treatment (due to differences between scalp and beard hair follicles). However, there is no evidence at this time to support this.
This means that if you discontinue your treatment, you will likely start seeing poor beard hair growth again within a few weeks. The only permanent solution for improved facial hair density is a beard transplant.
Alternatives to minoxidil for beard growth
If you have tried minoxidil and it did nothing to make your beard fuller, don’t lose hope. There are still other options you can try:
- A beard transplant – surgical beard restoration involves harvesting hair from your head, body or a less visible part of your beard (such as under your chin) and implanting it in the patchy areas of your facial hair. This surgery is generally safe and successful and the results are permanent.
- Steroid creams – if you are experiencing beard alopecia areata (round, smooth patches of facial hair loss) or beard psoriasis, corticosteroids may help reduce inflammation and stimulate facial hair regrowth.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy – there is some evidence that growth factors in PRP may help repair your beard follicles and create new small blood vessels to nourish them. This can help improve your facial hair density and thickness.
- Low-level laser therapy – red light therapy has been shown to optimise mitochondrial cell function and improve blood flow to your scalp and beard follicles alike. With consistent use, this therapy can improve your facial hair density.
- Microneedling – while no studies have yet been conducted to show that microneedling can improve facial hair growth, this procedure works well for scalp hair, as it stimulates your body’s healing response to repair hair follicles and promote hair growth. This means it may also work similarly on beards.
Are you searching for the best minoxidil for beard growth?
If you need help growing a full, luxurious beard, Dr. Hair is here to help. Our DrHair Minoxidil 5% Formula is safe, effective and highly affordable, especially if you choose our user-friendly monthly subscription service.
Our prompt delivery service can get the minoxidil to your front door in the shortest time, so you can start your beard growth journey as soon as possible. And if you have questions or require expert assistance, feel free to book an online consultation with our friendly, doctor-led support team. We are excited to have you join the satisfied customers our hair loss products have helped look and feel great over the past 30 years.
Frequently asked questions
If you would like to know more about the relationship between minoxidil and beard growth, find the information you need among the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Yes, minoxidil is far better than finasteride for improving beard growth because finasteride can actually hinder this process rather than help it. That medication works by reducing the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your blood (or, if it is topical finasteride, in your skin). However, the hair follicles in your scalp and those in your beard react differently to this hormone.
While DHT makes the follicles in your scalp shrink and produce miniaturised hair, those in your beard are actually activated by it, leading to better facial hair growth. So, unlike your hair, your beard needs DHT to stay full and healthy. Reducing this androgen’s levels with finasteride may actually make it grow sparser. This is why the good finasteride and minoxidil combination results you get for your hair may not translate to your beard.
Minoxidil is known to cause temporarily increased hair shedding on your scalp starting about 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. That is because it starts a new hair growth cycle in hair follicles that were in the resting phase, making the old hair shafts fall out before a new growth phase can begin.
This minoxidil hair loss is normal, temporary and followed by new and improved hair growth. While no studies have been conducted to see if the same thing happens to facial hair, some researchers have observed it in their patients [8].
Minoxidil itself should not cause acne. This skin condition is caused by excessive sebum production, hormonal imbalances or bacteria that get into your pores or hair follicles [12]. However, applying topical minoxidil to your face with dirty hands can cause or worsen your acne symptoms.
If you already have acne in your beard area, it is a good idea to treat it before applying minoxidil. Massaging the solution into the skin can break the pimples and spread the bacteria inside to other parts of your skin, making the acne spread.
Unfortunately, minoxidil does not work for everyone. Sometimes a patchy beard is genetic and does not always respond to this kind of treatment. In other cases, it is autoimmune and may require additional medication to go into remission. If your facial hair is still patchy after 6 months or more of minoxidil use, it is time to see your trichologist about getting a different treatment.
