What is Minoxidil at all and how does it work?
Minoxidil is a drug originally developed to treat high blood pressure, but today it is primarily used to treat hair loss and promote hair growth.
How it works:
• Vasodilation: It improves blood flow to the scalp by dilating blood vessels.
• Nutrient delivery: Improved blood flow allows more nutrients and oxygen to reach the hair follicles.
• Growth cycle: It extends the growth phase of hair and can enlarge shrunken follicles, resulting in thicker hair regrowth.
Oral vs Topical Minoxidil
When choosing between topical and oral minoxidil, there are advantages to both. The classic (topical) solution or foam scores points for its targeted application directly to the hair follicle which means that side effects are almost exclusively limited to the application site (such as itching or dandruff). However, many users dislike having to apply something to their body every day or complain about greasy residue in their hair.
In contrast, oral administration offers significantly greater convenience and is often more effective for people who, for example, lack the necessary enzyme on their skin to utilize topical minoxidil. However, since the tablet acts throughout the body via the bloodstream, the risk of systemic side effects such as rapid heartbeat, fluid retention, or unwanted hair growth in certain areas increases. While the topical version is usually available without a prescription, oral therapy, due to the strain on the cardiovascular system, generally requires a doctor's prescription and monitoring. In my opinion, both are viable options, but I opted for the topical form of minoxidil and have achieved very good results with it.
Taking topical minoxidil
I would recommend using it twice a day with a minimum of 8 hours in between. If you like, you can also use a derma roller on some days, but I've had good results without it. You can simply apply it to your fingers and then, for example, apply it to the desired areas on your face where you want hair to grow. Afterwards, just wash your hands and that's it. The minoxidil takes about 4 hours to be completely absorbed, but most of it is absorbed after 2 hours. I would avoid exercise for the first 2 hours after application. Caution: If you have pets
be especially careful, as minoxidil is toxic to them.
Taking oral minoxidil
Oral minoxidil is taken once daily as a tablet, usually regardless of meals. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience with this.
What else you should know
Patience is key. Nothing happens overnight. Progress will come, but very slowly. It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. If you don't see much of a difference after 2 months, that's perfectly normal. I noticed significantly more hair growth after 3 months. At the beginning, when you start using Minoxidil, you might experience some hair loss, but don't worry, it's only temporary. This is simply a sign that old hairs are falling out and new ones are growing in. I made the same mistake in 2023, I started, saw nothing after 2 months, and then stopped.
My own results
In the attached pictures you can see my results after 3 months; I started last year.
Minoxidil is a drug originally developed to treat high blood pressure, but today it is primarily used to treat hair loss and promote hair growth.
How it works:
• Vasodilation: It improves blood flow to the scalp by dilating blood vessels.
• Nutrient delivery: Improved blood flow allows more nutrients and oxygen to reach the hair follicles.
• Growth cycle: It extends the growth phase of hair and can enlarge shrunken follicles, resulting in thicker hair regrowth.
Oral vs Topical Minoxidil
When choosing between topical and oral minoxidil, there are advantages to both. The classic (topical) solution or foam scores points for its targeted application directly to the hair follicle which means that side effects are almost exclusively limited to the application site (such as itching or dandruff). However, many users dislike having to apply something to their body every day or complain about greasy residue in their hair.
In contrast, oral administration offers significantly greater convenience and is often more effective for people who, for example, lack the necessary enzyme on their skin to utilize topical minoxidil. However, since the tablet acts throughout the body via the bloodstream, the risk of systemic side effects such as rapid heartbeat, fluid retention, or unwanted hair growth in certain areas increases. While the topical version is usually available without a prescription, oral therapy, due to the strain on the cardiovascular system, generally requires a doctor's prescription and monitoring. In my opinion, both are viable options, but I opted for the topical form of minoxidil and have achieved very good results with it.
Taking topical minoxidil
I would recommend using it twice a day with a minimum of 8 hours in between. If you like, you can also use a derma roller on some days, but I've had good results without it. You can simply apply it to your fingers and then, for example, apply it to the desired areas on your face where you want hair to grow. Afterwards, just wash your hands and that's it. The minoxidil takes about 4 hours to be completely absorbed, but most of it is absorbed after 2 hours. I would avoid exercise for the first 2 hours after application. Caution: If you have pets
be especially careful, as minoxidil is toxic to them.Taking oral minoxidil
Oral minoxidil is taken once daily as a tablet, usually regardless of meals. Unfortunately, I have no personal experience with this.
What else you should know
Patience is key. Nothing happens overnight. Progress will come, but very slowly. It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. If you don't see much of a difference after 2 months, that's perfectly normal. I noticed significantly more hair growth after 3 months. At the beginning, when you start using Minoxidil, you might experience some hair loss, but don't worry, it's only temporary. This is simply a sign that old hairs are falling out and new ones are growing in. I made the same mistake in 2023, I started, saw nothing after 2 months, and then stopped.
My own results
In the attached pictures you can see my results after 3 months; I started last year.
