The Ultimate Guide to using Minoxidil for Beard Growth and Thicker Facial Hair

[ilyess]

What you're about to read is a detailed guide on the use of minoxidil for beard growth and facial hair thickening, including the eyebrows. The use of minoxidil for this purpose is experimental and minoxidil is currently not approved for such use. However, it has been through reported anecdotes on our own forum and the little experimental scientific evidence backing such use that we have been discovering how minoxidil may help those with patchy facial hair wanting fuller beards or thicker eyebrows.

Ergo, if you're interested in using minoxidil for a thicker denser beard or hipster-level fuller eyebrows, then this is your guide. It is a long guide, so we recommend that you take a couple of minutes to read it fully as we go through the nitpicks of using minoxidil for facial hair enhancement.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the sections to our guide on using minoxidil for facial hair enhancement.

• What is minoxidil?
• Why your facial hair, including eyebrows and beard, is what it is?
• How minoxidil works for facial hair, eyebrows and beard growth
• How to use minoxidil for beard growth and fullness (including eyebrows)
• How long to notice effects of minoxidil on my beard, eyebrows or overall facial hair?
• Is minoxidil a patchy beard solution?
• Is the use of minoxidil on facial hair safe?
• Should I take supplements to enhance the minoxidil on my facial hair?
• Are there any prescribed medications that could make my beard thicker or fuller?
• Any other treatments that may augment my response to minoxidil for a thicker beard?
• Can I shave while using minoxidil for beard thickening?
• Can I use DHT-blocking agents like finasteride (Rogaine) to augment my use of minoxidil for thicker facial hair?
• What are the best products containing minoxidil and where to buy them?
• Before and After photos of males using minoxidil to thicken their beard, facial hair and eyebrows

What is minoxidil?​

Minoxidil is a chemical compound that is believed to act as a local vasodilator specific to hair follicles (i.e. their capillary network), among other tissues. Minoxidil has been proven to delay male pattern baldness (hair follicles in the scalp miniaturizing irreversibly) and may even cause some additional hair regrowth and hair thickening on the affected hair follicles being subjected to miniaturizing through androgenetic alopecia (i.e. male pattern baldness).

The use of minoxidil to treat male pattern baldness has been increasing for years and years; simply put, it works, albeit to different degrees depending on the individual. Minoxidil as a first-line treatment for male pattern baldness is backed by solid science, and minoxidil is a very-safe compound when used correctly and as intended. Essentially, minoxidil is approved as a hair-loss treatment by drug-enforcing agencies across the world and minoxidil-based products are sold over the countries in most countries.

Minoxidil is used as a topical agent via two carrier forms: foam and liquid. Typically, the concentration of minoxidil in said products is 3% to 5%. You will find a plethora of minoxidil-containing products being sold over the counter and on Amazon; the most common ones include Rogaine (aka Regaine in the UK) and Kirkland. For a list of minoxidil-based products that we recommend, see our recommended list of hair-loss products.

Unfortunately, minoxidil has not been demonstrated scientifically and conclusively to positively impact facial hair, including beard hair and eyebrow hair. However, more and more anecdotal evidence is accumulating in our forum and elsewhere of minoxidil having a positive effect on beard growth, density and/or thickness in those with scarce facial hair. Very-minor scientific research of dubious quality has been presented to hint that minoxidil is, at least, doing "something" for facial hair, beard hair and eyebrow hair. But, really, use of minoxidil for enhanced beard growth or eyebrow growth is experimental to say the least.

Please note: as safe as minoxidil has been scientifically demonstrated to be, we still urge you to consult a qualified health-care provider (especially a dermatologist) prior to using minoxidil on your facial hair.

Why your facial hair, including eyebrows and beard, is what it is?​

To date, there are no scientifically proven compounds that enhance, accelerate or promote the thickening of facial hair or which encourage faster growth rates for beard hair. The only time when you can expect your facial hair to thicken, become denser or grow faster is if you happen to be malnourished and you're severely lacking several key micronutrients involved in the production of hair (this is extremely rare). Furthermore, illness or below-the-range (of normal) levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a sex hormone) or triiodothyronine (T3, a thyroid hormone) can lead to decreased beard fullness (in the case of DHT) or decreased hair numbers in the outer third section of the eyebrows (in the case of T3). Lack of other hormones coupled with malaise/illness can also lead to scare beard density or growth.

Ultimately, how dense, thick or exuberant your beard will be is down to your own genetic make-up. Most of the time, dudes with scarce facial hair have such because, well, their genes dictate so. Last but not least, a male's beard continues to thicken well into his 30s as the hair follicles in the face are exposed over the long term to endogenous DHT. If you currently cannot fill your beard and you're in your early 20s, for example, then do expect better beard fullness occurring within the next decade.

How minoxidil works for facial hair, eyebrows and beard growth​

The exact mechanism of action of minoxidil is not fully understood. It is believed that minoxidil acts primarily as a local vasodilator which thus purportedly enhances nutrient uptake by hair follicles (in the scalp or face); this leads to the slowing down of a follicle's miniaturizing (i.e. dying) and, in some cases, hair regrowth. Hence, minoxidil is one of the very-few compounds that has been established to work as a go-to treatment for male pattern baldness (i.e. the most-common form of irreversible baldness in males).

Minoxidil is able to do what it does via its sulfation through the sulfotransferase enzyme that is present in not just the scalp's follicles but also in hair follicles elsewhere in the body. Thus, minoxidil's vasodilating properties are just as effective in beard-hair follicles and eyebrow-hair follicles; what this means is that minoxidil will work in these areas just as it successfully works in the scalp-hair follicles of balding males.

The skin on the face is also thinner than the skin on the scalp, which means that minoxidil (regardless of carrier) is more easily absorbed by the hair follicles located across the face. Hair-follicle density throughout the face (e.g. beard area) is also lower than hair-follicle density on the scalp.

All in all, minoxidil certainly does what it has to do when it is applied topically on the face, but whether it will lead to a fuller beard or eyebrows needs further scientific research. The little scientific evidence around is from low-recruitment low-controlled studies and not from serious independent research. However, growing anecdotal evidence does seem to point to minoxidil yielding a positive effect on beard growth, fullness and density (ditto for eyebrow enhancement).

Here's a good before-and-after photograph of topical minoxidil use to fill up a beard. The "after" photo is just one month after daily application of 5% minoxidil as we recommend in this guide (more on products later in this guide):

Manufacturers of minoxidil-based products cannot claim that their products can grow and thicken facial hair since, to do so, conclusive scientific research must first be conducted. Hopefully (and likely), we will have this in the near future.

Must we stress that using minoxidil for beard thickening or eyebrow growth is experimental and at your own expense and discretion. This guide is simply a resource (without the wild snake-oil claims some people make) for you to consider if you want to go ahead with your desire to grow thicker, denser facial hair with minoxidil.

How to use minoxidil for beard growth and fullness (including eyebrows)​

Minoxidil should be applied daily to the desired section of the face (where you want to grow thicker hair) and it should be done so twice per day (for best results) with at least 4 hours in-between said two-per-day applications. If twice-per-day application of minoxidil is not possible, then once per day shall suffice.

The best concentration of minoxidil when used for facial hair enhancement seems to be 5%, so avoid 3% concentration of minoxidil on minoxidil-based products. A 5% concentration of minoxidil is what's preferred by balding folks too as such a concentration does the job better. From reports that we have received, 5% concentration of minoxidil is indeed the way to go forward with. A 3% concentration still works, but fuller results are achieved with a 5% minoxidil concentration.

We recommend that you use the foam form of minoxidil instead of the liquid form as the foam form is absorbed faster and is easier to apply to the sections where you want the minoxidil to have an effect. However, the foam form is more expensive, but its convenience and prompt absorption when applied to the skin more than makes up for the increased cost.

Follow the applying directions on your minoxidil-based product and cover all the areas of the face in which you want to benefit from the minoxidil. If you're aiming for a thicker beard, then coat the sides and lower front of your face as well as the neck's front and sides. For eyebrow growth, coat the entire eyebrows.

It is imperative that you do not touch your face within a 4-hour period post minoxidil application, much less clean your face! Furthermore, avoid activities that will make you sweat in this 4-hour period (e.g. gym or being exposed to sweat-inducing temperatures).

Before applying the minoxidil foam or liquid to your face (beard or eyebrows), clean the face thoroughly with mild soap, the less ingredients in the soap the better. Do not use harsh soap to clean your face nor should you use an aftershave or moisturizer after applying the minoxidil. If you must, wait 4 hours after you've applied the minoxidil.

How long to notice effects of minoxidil on my beard, eyebrows or overall facial hair?​

As with male pattern baldness, minoxidil takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months to truly show its positive effect on facial hair thickness, growth and density. From all the feedback in our forum, those who have benefited from minoxidil for beard thickness have had to use minoxidil daily for at least 6 months. Some individuals can be very-good responders and thicken their beard immensely by the 5-month mark as depicted below:

Do not look daily in the mirror for signs of a thicker beard or eyebrows. You will only see a noticeable effect after 4 weeks of daily use. At 3 months, you should notice significant thickness; if you don't yet, then do not give up and continue with your daily application of minoxidil until the 6th month. Try to get two applications per day if you've only been doing one per day.

Facial-hair enhancement from minoxidil such as a thicker beard or fuller eyebrows is most prominent after 12 months of use. After that, gains are slower to come by or the gains simply halt. The good news is that stopping the use of minoxidil for facial hair enhancement doesn't make you lose all your gains from the previous 12 months of daily minoxidil use. A good percentage of the anecdotes that we have received prove this, which is in stark contrast to the massive losses of any new hair regrowth experienced by balding males using minoxidil on their scalps. In their case (i.e. balding folks), they lose any gains as soon as they stop using minoxidil on their scalp.

Is minoxidil a patchy beard solution?​

Yes, minoxidil will work best for patchy beards that have yet to fill up but which otherwise have a good amount of facial hair strands. A patchy beard solution? Well, if you respond well to minoxidil, then you have a good chance of getting your beard connecting on the sides to the lips and mustache, which is the epitome of a manly beard to some. Those who inherently lack any facial beard hair to begin with will not experience as impressive results as those with patchy beards.

Is the use of minoxidil on facial hair safe?​

Minoxidil is a safe compound when used as approved (i.e. on the scalp so as to treat male pattern baldness). Side effects are minimal and they're mostly limited to skin irritation and photo-sensitivity.

Extrapolating from the safe use of minoxidil as applied topically on the scalp, it is hence reasonable (albeit not definitive or conclusive) to believe that the topical use of minoxidil on facial skin to promote the thickening and enhancement of facial hair would too be safe. The main side effects experienced by those who have reported to us their use of minoxidil for enhanced facial-hair growth and thickness happen to be the same side effects as experienced by balding folks: irritated skin and photo-sensitivity (the latter probably related to the former too).

To avoid skin irritation, use the foam version of minoxidil in minoxidil-based products and not the liquid form. Likewise, avoid intense sun exposure as this is a compounding factor in skin irritation. If you cannot avoid intense sun exposure, then use sunscreen at least four hours apart from your last minoxidil application.

One anecdotal side effect that we've had reported seldom is the mild growth of new body hair (formerly vellus hair) in areas like the chest and buttocks. We believe that this is due to the faster and enhanced absorption of minoxidil when used on the face since the skin of the face is thinner and rammed with capillaries. This would lead to some of the minoxidil being distributed systematically, which may encourage new hair growth in areas with plenty of vellus hair strands like the chest, belly and buttocks. This reported side effect is very mild and we've received very few reports of this as compared to the other two main reported side effects.

You will not turn into a sasquatch; don't worry.

Should I take supplements to enhance the minoxidil on my facial hair?​

Minerals and vitamins will only make a difference if you're deficient in any to begin with. Scalp hair responds to micronutrients just as facial hair does, so you may want to lightly supplement on the following (see the list below) if you're looking for an edge in your minoxidil use as some people don't get enough of this through their diet alone. Please bear in mind that scientific evidence behind all these supplements for enhanced hair (faster growing, denser or thicker) vary depending on which:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Fish oil or cod liver oil
• Vitamin A (do not use if using cod liver oil)
• Zinc
• Methylsulfonylmethane
• Biotin
• L-Carnitine (L-)Tartrate
• Capsaicin
• Curcumin

We have a very-useful thread on men's hair nutrition with all the affordable supplements that can help with growing thicker and faster hair, so check it out in the link as the thread is loaded with great hair-nutrition advice. Moreover, we also strongly recommend that you get The Men's Hair Book by Rogelio Samson for plenty of hair-nutrition advice and information if you're interested in making the most of your facial hair or even of your scalp hair.

Are there any prescribed medications that could make my beard thicker or fuller?​

We do not recommend nor support the use of prescription medication in your quest to a thicker beard. It can be way too dangerous. Testosterone, DHT, T3, cortisol and even human growth hormone are all involved directly or indirectly in the synthesis and maintenance of facial hair and beard growth; they are hormones and they will affect your body in undesired manners if used wrongly. No doctor will prescribe exogenous forms of these hormones to a healthy male for the purpose of enhancing facial hair and we certainly do not recommend their use. However, certain exogenous hormones have been used in transgender males (female to male) so as to aid in growing facial hair and a beard.

Any other treatments that may augment my response to minoxidil for a thicker beard?​

Some people have reported of dermarolling helping so as to increase collage synthesis. Tretinoin can also be used, but this may be prescription-only in some countries.

Both dermarolling and tretinoin use increase your sensitivity to sunlight, so watch out.

Can I shave while using minoxidil for beard thickening?​

Yes! The shorter your beard (e.g. clean shaven) the better the chances of minoxidil being absorbed to its maximum extent. Try to shave before applying the minoxidil or four hours post application. Try not to shave so sharp that you ultimately irritate the skin; a good beard trimmer or electric razor is a better option.

Can I use DHT-blocking agents like finasteride (Rogaine) to augment my use of minoxidil for thicker facial hair?​

No! The hair follicles making up your beard rely on DHT; blocking DHT only makes sense for men afflicted with male pattern baldness as scalp hair is lost mainly via the action of DHT on scalp-hair follicles.

Heck, do not even come close to any DHT-blocking agent if what you intend is to maximize your beard's fullness and thickness.

What are the best products containing minoxidil and where to buy them?​

Due to their reputation and popularity, we recommend the following (on each link):

• THIS one here (see it in the link): you need at least a 6-month supply, so get two packs as per the link (since each pack is for 3 months); very affordable even when buying two packs for 6 months. One of the best minoxidil-based product that you could buy. Or you could get THIS pack for six months. Rogaine is the most popular brand of minoxidil-containing products. These two have been used by many of our forum members.
• THIS one here (see it in the link): the maximum amount that you could get (12 months). Highly recommend it due to the price and our forum members have had great results with it.

Before and After photos of males using minoxidil to thicken their beard, facial hair and eyebrows​

Here are some very-illustrative examples including before and after photos of minoxidil use for beard growth and thickness. While the science may be lagging, the anecdotal reports are truly showcasing how minoxidil is a noble experimental treatment that can yield outstanding results for those seeking fuller facial hair such as thicker beards or eyebrows.

If you would like to submit or post your progress photos, then feel free to do so too so as to help others in their quest for fuller facial hair!

Before and after photos of 2 months of minoxidil use for beard thickness:​

Before and after photos of 3 months of minoxidil use to fill up a patchy beard:​

Before and after photos of 2 years of continuous application of minoxidil for a fuller beard​

Two photos showing results of topical minoxidil for beard growth after 2 weeks (left) and 4 months (right):​

Before and after photos of minoxidil use during span of 4 months to grow facial hair on an almost-hair-free face (first photo is the first day of using minoxidil; second photo is after 4 months of daily minoxidil application):​

 

[gamma]

Many of the guys posted have still patchy beard in the after photo

 

[ilyess]

Many of the guys posted have still patchy beard in the after photo

Maby

 

[LastHopeForNorman]

For non responders

People who have low sulfotransferase enzyme won't respond well to minoxidil. The effective form of minoxidil is minoxidil sulfate. Minoxidil is converted to minoxidil sulfate by the sulfotransferase enzyme. So minoxidil is a prodrug meaning it needs to metabolized in order it to work. People in the general population have varying amounts of this enzyme that's why people get varying results. Rogaine is the company that had the patent and concluded only 43% of people are good responders in their initial study. Like any drug you need a certain amount of dose or threshold to work. Any underdosed drug won't be as effective as a properly dosed drug. This is why slow gainers need way more time to get results because they are getting low dose of minoxidil sulfate. Here are some articles:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30974011/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12915#:~:text=Minoxidil sulfate is the active,the hair follicle sulfonate minoxidil.&text=A method to increase minoxidil response would be of significant clinical utility

.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30043580/

Minoxidil is the most well researched chemical regarding androgenic alopecia and the only FDA approved topical for androgenic alopecia. This is why you'll find so many articles regarding this.

 

[Preoximerianas]

Unironically coom when people post unfathomably high IQ threads.

 

[Deleted member 15698]

Great thread, please tell us what you know about minoxidil and collagen

 

[Deleted member 14323]

Great thread, please tell us what you know about minoxidil and collagen

 

[ilyess]

Great thread, please tell us what you know about minoxidil and collagen

Thx its bookmarked and i will read it later, Not a single thing

 

[siliconvalleycel]

For non responders

People who have low sulfotransferase enzyme won't respond well to minoxidil. The effective form of minoxidil is minoxidil sulfate. Minoxidil is converted to minoxidil sulfate by the sulfotransferase enzyme. So minoxidil is a prodrug meaning it needs to metabolized in order it to work. People in the general population have varying amounts of this enzyme that's why people get varying results. Rogaine is the company that had the patent and concluded only 43% of people are good responders in their initial study. Like any drug you need a certain amount of dose or threshold to work. Any underdosed drug won't be as effective as a properly dosed drug. This is why slow gainers need way more time to get results because they are getting low dose of minoxidil sulfate. Here are some articles:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30974011/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12915#:~:text=Minoxidil sulfate is the active,the hair follicle sulfonate minoxidil.&text=A method to increase minoxidil response would be of significant clinical utility

.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30043580/

Minoxidil is the most well researched chemical regarding androgenic alopecia and the only FDA approved topical for androgenic alopecia. This is why you'll find so many articles regarding this.

PSA

If you're a non-responder, try compounding minoxidil with tretinoin. [source]
I know it's prescription-only for you burgers but if you're really serious about looksmaxxing you should already have this sorted out from alldaypajeet or something, tretinoin is foundational for good skin.

 

[Kroker]

Minoxdil can cause Tinnitus. It happened to me when I've used it for my beard.
Take care.

 

[Deleted member 15817]

Bump for an underrated thread

 

[AscendingHero]

Bump for an underrated thread

Minox can have some nasty sides.....


Also OP isn't this thread a @Grimba copypasta....

 

[ilyess]

Minox can have some nasty sides.....


Also OP isn't this thread a @Grimba copypasta....

Not grimbos thread

 

[Deleted member 14543]

nice thread tbh. u forgot to emphasise the importance of dermarolling/microneedling tho. ive achieved 0% cheek beard growth to about 70% in 8 months from purely derma rolling. cos im allergic to minoxidil. the combination of the 2 gives an insanely bigger effect than both of them by theirselves

 

[Cardiologyscribe]

rapes collagen

 

[KDA Player]

You have to take care of your skin and collagen when taking it, otherwise it's really good

 

[Umbra]

"
I'm not balding. I want to use it so my stubble fills in the cheek areas, for thicker eyebrows (theyre dark but not dense in the ends ) maybe even apply on the ends so i can get longer eyebrows and eyelash growth (not applying directly to the eyes)

Can it fuck my hormones? (i'm currently having hormonal imbalances , idk why) . Will i go blind permanently if it spills in my eyes from my eyebrows? Can anyone help me with it? Idc if you say its cope for eyebrows etc, ive seen people get results and i do have the genetics to have a beard but i dont want to wait until my 20s for my patchy beard to disappear.

I've heard about hair shedding from using minoxidil for the 1st time, how tf will my scalp hair fall if i dont use it at all on my head? How many times per day should i apply it and do i wash it off or something?""

What do you think about this? What do i do after quitting minox? How do i keep the gains? What about hair shedding from minox?

 

[noodlelover]

"
I'm not balding. I want to use it so my stubble fills in the cheek areas, for thicker eyebrows (theyre dark but not dense in the ends ) maybe even apply on the ends so i can get longer eyebrows and eyelash growth (not applying directly to the eyes)

Can it fuck my hormones? (i'm currently having hormonal imbalances , idk why) . Will i go blind permanently if it spills in my eyes from my eyebrows? Can anyone help me with it? Idc if you say its cope for eyebrows etc, ive seen people get results and i do have the genetics to have a beard but i dont want to wait until my 20s for my patchy beard to disappear.

I've heard about hair shedding from using minoxidil for the 1st time, how tf will my scalp hair fall if i dont use it at all on my head? How many times per day should i apply it and do i wash it off or something?""

What do you think about this? What do i do after quitting minox? How do i keep the gains? What about hair shedding from minox?

This guy tried it. He says that it's his understanding that once the baby hairs have become full grown hairs they won't fall out. He was able to wean off of it, and keep his beard hairs.

 

[Slasher]

@ilyess You're Female, You Don't Need A Beard.

 

[musclemaxxer]

I use it and it seems to work, I could already grow a beard in the first place so do not to what extent, only using it to enhance my growth as id like to grow out a fairly long beard.
Saying this, it has definitely thickened it.
I do derma roll alongside though.