🔥 Use Code BLOG20 & Unlock 20% OFF on ALL Products. CLICK HERE!! 🔥

Minoxidil Side Effects for Hair, Beard & Right Way to Use It - Man Matters

Mohit Mittal -
Table of Contents +

Hair fall is one of the most common and misunderstood problems men face today. There are numerous claims to help men find their way around it. These include elaborate procedures such as a hair transplant, wearing patches, etc.

But minoxidil can work wonders and help you grow back lost hair or check the hair fall you might be experiencing.

Read on to know more about minoxidil, its side effects (and how to avoid them), recommended precautions, and the right way to use it.

What Is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil, or Minoxidil topical (applied to body surfaces such as the skin), is a medication that possesses the ability to stop or slow down hair loss. It helps hair loss conditions by promoting the growth of new hair.

Minoxidil hair growth effects are based on its working as a vasodilator (opening up blood vessels) medication. It generally comes as a topical solution or foam. You can also find it in the form of a generic prescription tablet for patients allergic to its topical solution or with hypertension. For men, a 5% solution is the standard.

Initially, doctors prescribed it as an oral drug for hypertension (high blood pressure). They discovered its hair growth properties through a chance occurrence. It happened when hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) became a commonly reported minoxidil side effect. This led to the development of minoxidil as a topical solution for hair loss treatment.

Studies shows that It is crucial to note that it can effectively promote hair regrowth in specific hair loss conditions. Today, it is most widely used as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA is commonly called male-pattern baldness). AGA is a hereditary condition, and minoxidil has been US-FDA approved since the late 1980s to help manage it.

It is also used as an off-label drug (unapproved use of an approved drug) to manage some other hair disorders. These can be:

  • Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss due to immune system’s attack on hair follicles)
  • Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
  • Eyebrow enhancement
  • Monilethrix (a hair shaft disorder)
  • Beard enhancement
  • Telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss because of stress)
  • Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (a form of scarring alopecia)

Minoxidil hair growth products come with some caveats. The medication is no magic wand to restore hair permanently. If you stop using it, most of the hair growth starts waning. The new hair starts to fall within months or even weeks. Thus, you must regularly use a minoxidil hair growth product to keep the effects of minoxidil hair regrowth intact.

How does it work? Scientists are yet to fully understand and ascertain the most accurate mechanism behind its efficacy in promoting hair growth. But a common speculatory belief is that it helps widen the blood vessels and opens potassium channels in the affected area. It is believed that this effect helps more blood, nutrients, and oxygen reach the hair follicles.

By stimulating hair follicles, it works right from the roots. It first acts on the follicles in the telogen (non-growing) phase and stimulates hair shedding. Next, it helps replace this fallen hair with thicker hair in the anagen (growing) phase.


Minoxidil Side Effects

Since minoxidil has been in the public domain for decades, it has undergone rigorous drug testing and research. As a result, most of its side effects have been identified. When we talk about topical minoxidil, the side effects can range from fairly common to very rare.

You need to understand that the adverse effects of minoxidil are relative and vary from person to person. For some, it works smoothly, without any sign of a negative impact. For others, it can pose some minor to severe problems.

It’s also important to note that the side effects may be due to the other substances used to create a minoxidil topical product. Some of these commonly used substances include alcohol and propylene glycol.

Firstly, let’s talk about the common side effects of topical minoxidil. These side effects are usually temporary. They last until your body finally adjusts to the new medication. In most cases, they subside with the regular use of a minoxidil product.

The conditions listed below are commonly reported side effects of minoxidil:

  • An itchy feeling at the application site
  • A stinging sensation in the area of application
  • Flaking or scaling of the application surface
  • Redness of skin where the minoxidil solution is applied

1. Less Common to Rare Side Effects of Minoxidil


Minoxidil may also lead to uncommon side effects in some users. There’s a very low chance of these side effects being reported. These rare side effects include:

  • Excessive hair loss
  • Unwanted facial hair growth
  • A swollen face
  • Soreness or inflammation at the hair roots
  • Acne at the application site
  • Burning of the scalp
Minoxidil 5% Solution With Procapil
Use our alcohol-free Minoxidil 5% Solution enriched with Procapil that controls hair fall and helps with hair regrowth to provide you with better, safer, and faster results..
Shop Now!

2. Side Effects of Minoxidil Due to Excessive Application

Another vital point to note is the quantity of the product used. Excessive use of a minoxidil solution may result in some serious adverse effects.

As long as the solution stays on the skin surface, the chances of such side effects are low. The problems might start if it reaches your bloodstream due to excessive application. In such a scenario, you should look out for these serious side effects:

  • Changes in vision, including blurred vision
  • Chest pain
  • Fainting
  • Irregular heartbeat (excessively fast in most cases)
  • Dizziness and numbness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Flushing (redness, warmth, or a tingly feeling)
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Swelling in hands, feet, or lower legs

We have listed all the researched and known side effects of minoxidil. But the list still might not be an exhaustive one for the serious side effects of minoxidil. We advise you immediately consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of the above or an unknown symptom.

3. Minoxidil Beard Side Effects

Even though the evidence of minoxidil’s effects as a facial hair growth promoter is scarce, a 3% solution may be used for the same. Minoxidil for beard may lead to some side effects such as if over used (always consult a doctor before use):

  • Irritation or redness of the facial skin at the application site
  • Change in beard hair texture or color
  • Unexpected hair growth in areas such as your neck

Is low libido one of the minoxidil side effects men experience? Well, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence at present that links the use of minoxidil to a decreased male libido. The research on the topic is ongoing, and until some proof emerges, it should be treated as a speculation or a myth at best.

Minoxidil for women side effects mostly overlaps with most of what we have seen in the case of minoxidil for men. It is noteworthy that a 2% minoxidil solution is recommended for women compared to a 5% solution for men.

A side effect unique to women is minoxidil entering the breast milk in lactating mothers. But it is very rare and might be caused due to excessive application.

BeardMax 5% Minoxidil Beard Growth Serum
Give your beard development process a boost with our Minoxidil Beard Growth Serum which promotes denser beard and moustache growth within 100 days & has no side effects!.
Click Here to Buy Now

Precautions You Need to Take While Using Minoxidil

As with other medications, it is crucial to take some standard precautions while using topical minoxidil:

  • You should inform your doctor about the progress of the medication’s effect at regular intervals.
  • You should monitor your initial hair loss once you start using the medication. The usual period of initial hair loss lasts for nearly two weeks (hair loss in the telogen phase). Contact your doctor if it continues further.
  • If the medication shows no improvement even after four months of regular use, inform your doctor.
  • You must immediately notify and seek help from your doctor if side effects like itching, scalp burning, or redness continue for long.
  • If the side effects fall in the serious and rare categories, don’t wait for continued occurrence. Reach out to your doctor.
  • Wash off the solution immediately if any severe side effects occur at the application site.

How to Avoid Minoxidil Side Effects?

The best way to avoid minoxidil side effects is to follow the usage directions given by your dermatologist. Some other things to keep in mind are:

  • Follow the instructions mentioned on the product. Don’t interchange the instructions for different products, as the formulas mostly vary.
  • You must avoid using excessive amounts of the product.
  • Double doses should be avoided. While it’s not advisable to miss a dose, you must ensure that you only make up for the missed dose if there’s a significant time left till the next dose.
  • Never use the product past its expiration date.
  • Keep the product at temperatures specified by the manufacturer.
  • If the telogen phase hair fall is prolonged beyond the normal duration, discontinue the product.

MINOXIFIN
Made with Minoxidil & Finasteride, Minoxifin is a prescription-based alcohol-free solution that will prevent hair loss and increase thicker hair growth.
Click Here to Buy Now

Proper Way to Use Minoxidil

You should follow the following steps to ensure that you are using topical minoxidil properly:

  • Ensure that your scalp, along with your hair, is completely dry
  • Take the prescribed amount of the product and start applying from the centre of the area under treatment. Use an applicator if provided with the product. (Tip: You can divide your hair into parts and apply the product between these parts)
  • You can rub the product using your fingers to help it reach the hair follicles
  • The product takes two to four hours to dry completely. Wait for four hours to wash off the product thoroughly. You may use shampoo to wash the product
  • Wash your hands right after applying the product
  • Do not use a hairdryer while the product is on, as it reduces the efficacy

Summing Up on Minoxidil Side Effects

Minoxidil is a very effective hair growth promoter. Like any other medication, it comes with some side effects.

The most common side effects are typically temporary. Some rare and serious side effects can present in some people if minoxidil comes in contact with the bloodstream. In either case, you should consult a healthcare professional.

If you use minoxidil with all recommended precautions and closely follow the directions of usage, you can avoid most of the side effects.

References