minoxidil +blowdrying

[dbaser]

Thanks to excellent family genes, I've got exceptionally fine, brittle and unmanageable hair. The best I can do in regards to styling is part it on the side and hope it doesn't resemble a combover. There are hardly any other options other than a full-on shave.

In any case, I use minoxidil 5% on my hair once a morning after I get out of the shower. I towel-dry my hair first, spray in the minoxidil, massage it and then comb and blow-dry my hair. (Without blowdrying, the minoxidil leaves my hair looking like a greasy bird's nest). With this regimen, the minoxidil actually works to give a little body to my pitiful hair.

In any case, I think I know the answer already but: does blowdrying dilute the effect of the minoxidil by evaporating it? I use a a 'cold' setting on my blowdryer if it makes any difference.

 

[-cj-]

1) It's not recommend to put minoxidil on while your scalp is wet. This could lead to over-absorbtion resulting in unwanted side effects (rapid heartbeat, dizzyness).

2) Any air will increase the rate of alcohol evaporation which helps to deliver the minoxidil down into the scalp.

My suggestion would be to use Dr. Lee's #500 Standard Minoxidil for the mornings. Once your hair is dry, put on the minoxidil and go about your morning routine, style your hair before leaving out the door.

 

[Bryan]

In any case, I think I know the answer already but: does blowdrying dilute the effect of the minoxidil by evaporating it? I use a a 'cold' setting on my blowdryer if it makes any difference.

Yes indeed, it _is_ very risky to blowdry your hair after applying minoxidil. I'm sure using a 'cold' setting is better than using a 'hot' setting, but it's still probably going to lessen the effect to some degree.

An old study attempted to determine how topical minoxidil is absorbed: "Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil in Man", Archives of Dermatology, Volume 121, February 1985, pages 203-206.

They went so far as to apply radioactive minoxidil to test subjects to trace the end products and see how the drug was absorbed and excreted. They collected urine and fecal samples, and 24 hours after every scalp application they did scalp washings to recover any un-absorbed drug; and they even collected the used pillowcases to try to account for every last bit of minoxidil! However, even with all these efforts, *most* of the drug went unaccounted for! And here is one particular thing they found:

"The low recovery rate, 43% to 47% of the dose, is not totally unexpected considering that the applied radioactive medication was left on the unprotected skin for 24 hours. It is presumed that the missing 53% to 57% was simply lost from the surface of the skin via one of several possible mechanisms including exfoliation; inadvertent contact with hands, clothing, or other objects; volatilization; or physical displacement by air currents. Evidence for the latter was unexpectedly obtained from subject 3. The Table shows that the total recovery of surface radioactivity for this subject following the application on day 9 was only 2.4%, the lowest for either application for any subject and clearly outside the range to be expected on the basis of the observed variability. This subject admitted that he had used a hair dryer several hours following the second application of the radioactive dose in an attempt to dry the nonvolatile propylene glycol that was still present on his scalp. It is presumed that this procedure blew a sizable portion of the radioactive minoxidil off the surface of the scalp."

Bryan

 

[dbaser]

I guess I'm in kind of a bind. Without a dryer, my hair is flat and straight as could be. But if I wait til my hair's totally dry to apply minoxidil, the result is messy and greasy looking. Argh. I wish I could just drink the stuff.

 

[Bryan]

Argh. I wish I could just drink the stuff.

Did you know that there's a documented case of a suicide attempt by a fellow who drank the entire contents of a 5% Rogaine bottle? He lived, but only because they managed to get him to an emergency room in time. He got some serious life-support which pulled him through.

Bryan

 

[-cj-]

I guess I'm in kind of a bind. Without a dryer, my hair is flat and straight as could be. But if I wait til my hair's totally dry to apply minoxidil, the result is messy and greasy looking. Argh. I wish I could just drink the stuff.

What brand are you using?

 

[dbaser]

I use Dr. Lee's Standard Minoxidil 5%, 65 mL.

Should I try something else? I've been on a pretty conventional program for years (finasteride/nizoral/minoxidil). I'm wondering what I'm missing out on: Folligen, Copper peptide products, etc.

 

[hairwegoagain]

Thanks to excellent family genes, I've got exceptionally fine, brittle and unmanageable hair. The best I can do in regards to styling is part it on the side and hope it doesn't resemble a combover. There are hardly any other options other than a full-on shave.

In any case, I use minoxidil 5% on my hair once a morning after I get out of the shower. I towel-dry my hair first, spray in the minoxidil, massage it and then comb and blow-dry my hair. (Without blowdrying, the minoxidil leaves my hair looking like a greasy bird's nest). With this regimen, the minoxidil actually works to give a little body to my pitiful hair.

In any case, I think I know the answer already but: does blowdrying dilute the effect of the minoxidil by evaporating it? I use a a 'cold' setting on my blowdryer if it makes any difference.

The act of blowdrying (and associated combing/brushing) before the solution absorbs may precipitate minoxidil crystals. This is the white stuff you may see in your hair.

I know what you're talking re: giving a bit of body to your hair. However, if it's in your hair it's not on your scalp. If it's not on your scalp, it isn't contributing to regrowth and you might as well be pouring it down the toilet. I suggest using the dropper to tactically place small drops in the affected area. Use your fingers only when it runs down your forehead.

 

[ShedMaster]

Argh. I wish I could just drink the stuff.

Did you know that there's a documented case of a suicide attempt by a fellow who drank the entire contents of a 5% Rogaine bottle? He lived, but only because they managed to get him to an emergency room in time. He got some serious life-support which pulled him through.

Bryan

I believe his name was branco.

 

[Thinning Sucks]

My routine: I apply the minoxidil entire scalp, then wait 10 minutes, apply Couvre over entire scalp with sponge, then blow dry hot untill all hair and scalp dry.

Wonder what % percentage iminox is left on scalp after this?

 

[wookster]

Argh. I wish I could just drink the stuff.

Did you know that there's a documented case of a suicide attempt by a fellow who drank the entire contents of a 5% Rogaine bottle? He lived, but only because they managed to get him to an emergency room in time. He got some serious life-support which pulled him through.

Bryan

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... i_13722854

A 52-year-old man ingested 60 ml of 2 percent topical minoxidil solution resulting in severe hypotension and tachycardia. He was resuscitated with intravenously administered crystalloid solution and treated with intravenously administered dopamine, resulting in a partial hemodynamic improvement. Further treatment with intravenously administered phenylephrine infusion resulted in resolution of hypotension. The patient suffered a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction as a result of the ingestion. The toxicity of this increasingly common preparation is profound.

:freaked: :freaked: :freaked: