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Introduction |
Requirements |
Instructions |
Storage |
Introduction
I honestly advise you to just buy the standard minoxidil product (Kirkland, Hims, Rogaine) and save yourself the effort, but if you prefer to tweak concentration, solvents, cost, add something like tretinoin or finasteride to the same solution, or even just care about that level of control, then this thread is definitely for you!
We would be trying to make a 5% solution (which would be like 5g of minoxidil powder dissolved per 100 mL of total solution). And, in the process of doing so, you would need more propylene glycol to hold the minoxidil in solution. As you may or may not know, the fraction of ethanol used and how deep it penetrates are positively correlated.
In fact, the absolute maximum penetration was observed at about 90% ethanol.
Minoxidil's solubility in different solvents (mg/mL):
Solvent | Solubility (mg/mL) |
|---|---|
Propylene glycol | 75 |
Ethanol | 29 |
Water | 2.2 |
So, as you can clearly see from the table I provided above, propylene glycol is what's actually doing the most in dissolving the powder.
I don't recommend going above the concentration of 5% because it just tends to be unstable + once the solvent evaporates, crystallization happens.
Stay at 5% and you'll be completely fine.
Requirements
Ingredients (for 100 mL batch) |
| Item | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
Picture of Minoxidil powder (USP grade) | 5g | Buy from a reputable API supplier |
Picture of Anhydrous ethanol (≥ 95%) | 60mL | Pharmaceutical or lab grade; do not buy rubbing alcohol |
Picture of Propylene glycol (USP) | 20mL | Human-grade only |
Picture of distilled / purified water brands | 20mL | Tap water = utter dogshit; DO NOT USE IT |
Equipment |
1. Graduated cylinder (100 mL)
Picture of a graduated cylinder
2. Small glass beaker or Pyrex measuring cup
Picture of a small glass beaker & Pyrex measuring cup
3. Magnetic stirrer OR a whisk
Picture of a magnetic stirrer & a whisk
4. Precision scale (0.01 g accuracy)
Picture of a precision scale
5. Amber glass dropper bottles (100 mL)
Picture of an ambler glass dropper bottle
6. Gloves and eye protection
Picture of gloves & eye protection
7. A funnel
Picture of a funnel
Instructions
Step 1 Weigh out 5.00 g of minoxidil powder |
Weigh out 5.00g of the minoxidil powder. PLEASE get it precise. You have a 0.01g scale for a fucking reason. 4.87g is NOT 5g. Weigh it into a clean, dry beaker.
Step 2 Add the propylene glycol first |
Pour 20mL of propylene glycol directly onto the minoxidil powder.
From what we currently know, solubility increases monotonically with a higher PG fraction
So this just means that you would want this in contact with the powder first before adding anything else. You're going to stir this until the powder is mostly wetted and starting to dissolve.
Duration might take about like 3–5 minutes of continuous stirring.
Step 3 Add the ethanol |
Pour in 60 mL of ethanol SLOWLY while stirring. The powder should start dissolving rapidly now. You're gonna keep stirring for another like 5–10 minutes. The solution should become clear. If you see any cloudiness or floating particulate, just keep going.
DO NOT RUSH THIS STEP
Step 4 Add the distilled water |
Add 20mL of purified water last. The total volume should now be approximately 100 mL.
If anything precipitates out (which is probably unlikely at 5% if your ratios are right), you've got a problem with your solvent ratios or the water was added too fast.
Step 5 Inspect |
You're going to basically hold the bottle up to a light source. The solution should be clear and colorless to very faintly yellow.
If there are ANY signs of haziness or suspended particles, it just means it hasn't fully dissolved.
Do NOT bottle a cloudy solution. Go back to stirring.
Step 6 Transfer to amber dropper bottles |
This is exactly when you'll be using a funnel.
It just keeps the ethanol from degrading over time.
You're going to fill the amber glass to about 95 mL to allow for dropper displacement. Make sure that you cap tightly.
Storage
Store this in a closed container at room temperature.
Keep away from:
HEAT | MOISTURE | DIRECT LIGHT | OPEN FLAMES | CANDLES | HAIR DRYERS |
Room temperature = 20–25°C (68–77°F).
Also, if I were you, I'd make sure to label my bottles with the date I made them. I swear you'll forget. Write it on there.
Anyways, that's about it.
