Starting Minoxidil - Some Questions

[Bklyn_23]

I'm considering starting minoxidil 5% for the first time. This would be my first attempt at any sort of regimen (aside from Nizoral 1%), so I have a few specific questions I was hoping someone could help me with:

1) If I want to apply it only to a limited area (temple point area and possibly just below my current hairline), does it get absorbed and spread across the scalp? I ask because I've heard there can be an initial shed, and by limiting it to certain areas I want to test its efficacy and limit the area of the shed. So if I were to apply it to only the specified areas, would any shed only be from around those areas or would it be everywhere (in which case I should just apply it everywhere)?

2) Is there any evidence - anecdotal or otherwise - about which brands (Rogaine, Kirkland etc.) or types (liquid vs. foam) are more effective? Or is the liquid/foam thing strictly about ease of application?

3) Has anyone here had regrowth in the temple and hairline area from minoxidil alone? Can you share your experiences?

Thanks for your help. I searched for a minoxidil FAQ on the forums before posting this, but didn't see one.

 

[Roberto_72]

I'm considering starting minoxidil 5% for the first time. This would be my first attempt at any sort of regimen (aside from Nizoral 1%), so I have a few specific questions I was hoping someone could help me with:

1) If I want to apply it only to a limited area (temple point area and possibly just below my current hairline), does it get absorbed and spread across the scalp? I ask because I've heard there can be an initial shed, and by limiting it to certain areas I want to test its efficacy and limit the area of the shed. So if I were to apply it to only the specified areas, would any shed only be from around those areas or would it be everywhere (in which case I should just apply it everywhere)?

2) Is there any evidence - anecdotal or otherwise - about which brands (Rogaine, Kirkland etc.) or types (liquid vs. foam) are more effective? Or is the liquid/foam thing strictly about ease of application?

3) Has anyone here had regrowth in the temple and hairline area from minoxidil alone? Can you share your experiences?

Thanks for your help. I searched for a minoxidil FAQ on the forums before posting this, but didn't see one.

1) I think gets spread across the scalp, but not very far from where you apply it. So your shedding would probably be limited to the areas you decide to treat.
2) many say liquid is more effective. Foam is easier to use and less greasy. Major brands are equivalent.
3) it is very difficult. I'll leave the floor to others.

 

[Bklyn_23]

1) I think gets spread across the scalp, but not very far from where you apply it. So your shedding would probably be limited to the areas you decide to treat.
2) many say liquid is more effective. Foam is easier to use and less greasy. Major brands are equivalent.
3) it is very difficult. I'll leave the floor to others.

Thanks Roberto! Hopefully others can chime in with their experiences as well.

 

[hairblues]

I had great results with the foam...5% i use it once a day as that is how women are supposed to use it but i plan on spot treating it a little in AM.
My shed came week 3 and 4 on it...it was super heavy shedding but it did not make a cosmetic difference...by week 5 and 6 i could already see some sprouts.
I was an excellent responder i just wish i had started sooner. But it is what it is i can only push forward from where i am at.
I have some darkening of hair around eyebrows and under my eye but i only see it in magnifying mirror a little bit came in darker by edge of my hairline/face. I am brunette so its not bad cosmetically speaking..it was not all over my face so I would think it works in a few inches systemically probably.

I dont know which brands are better I use rogain foam and so far no itchiness or side effects so sticking with it for now.

I had regrowth along hair line but i am a woman so i dont know if it effects men same way.

PS i still shed here and there i have no idea if its just 'me' a heavy shedder (my hair is past shoulders) or if i get Minoxidil shed periodically since i am only on month 4...BUT i have growth and my hair definitely improved so i never lost ground on it. Again i don know the difference in men and women on the drug. But wanted to give you some answers since you are new to it.

I do know a few guys lose ground but i think most improve. I dont know what the difference is as to 'why'.

 

[yetti]

3) Has anyone here had regrowth in the temple and hairline area from minoxidil alone? Can you share your experiences?

i have. i started in oct 2015. my hairline/temple areas were obviously receding. that stopped, and i think i clearly have a bit more hair than i did. i use rogaine liquid, once a day (at night), 2ml on crown and 2ml on hairline/temples. i dont use any other hairloss related products.

 

[Bklyn_23]

Thank you all for the feedback. Gonna do a little more net scouring and then will likely start Rogaine liquid 5% on the temples and parts of my hairline in a trial run.

 

[yetti]

cool, please post about how it goes!

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

I would just use rogaine foam 5% once a day. Check after 3 months.

I got some regrowth at the hairline, but I started minoxidil at around the same time that I started RU.

 

[kj6723]

Supposedly the liquid absorbs a bit better, although anecdotally most people who have used both report bascially identical results. If you're going the liquid route, I would only use it before bed, or when you won't be leaving home for several hours. It makes your hair look like sh*t for at least 3 hours

So if you want to do liquid and opt to do 2x a day, I'd use the foam in the morning, and liquid at night.

research shows at least moderately better results with 2x day use fyi

 

[Bklyn_23]

I've been using the 5% liquid once per day for about 7-8 days now. I've only been using it at the temple points and temple/side hairline area.

What's interesting (and I scrutinize my hair situation VERY closely, as I'm sure many here do) is that after about 4-5 days of use I had 4-5 hairs either sprout anew or get darker/thicker on my left temple, well in front of where my normal growth is. I didn't think it could have any effect that quickly (since hair doesn't even grow that fast, and these hairs are already 1/4" long), but I'm not imagining it. That's why I'm leaning towards the thickening/darkening angle. All I know is that these 4-5 hairs weren't visible a week ago.

I also have a question: it says to apply 1 ml to the affected area. I've been applying .5 ml to each side for a total of ~1 ml. Is this correct or should it be 1 ml in each affected area?

 

[Bklyn_23]

Update about one month in:

Aside from the 4-5 new or darkened hairs on my temple points mentioned above, I see now new growth or thickening. For the first week I was applying 1x per day (roughly .75 ml per side of hairline/temples), then I progressed to 2x per day for almost a few weeks now. Missed a full day and there was another day or two where I only applied 1 time. But the lack of results is somewhat disappointing, though I've heard you won't see anything until the 2 month mark at a minimum due to the length of the hair cycle.

 

[SmoothSailing]

Update about one month in:

Aside from the 4-5 new or darkened hairs on my temple points mentioned above, I see now new growth or thickening. For the first week I was applying 1x per day (roughly .75 ml per side of hairline/temples), then I progressed to 2x per day for almost a few weeks now. Missed a full day and there was another day or two where I only applied 1 time. But the lack of results is somewhat disappointing, though I've heard you won't see anything until the 2 month mark at a minimum due to the length of the hair cycle.

I apply it on my temples/hairline only.

After 2 months I noticed a ton of new hairs along my hairline, although none on my temples. These grew into full length hairs after a few months, as well as many other hairs thickening up a bit, including hairs on the temples. It can even take longer than 2 months to notice improvements so be patient.

I, on average, miss about one application per week, so it's no big deal.

 

[Bklyn_23]

I apply it on my temples/hairline only.

After 2 months I noticed a ton of new hairs along my hairline, although none on my temples. These grew into full length hairs after a few months, as well as many other hairs thickening up a bit, including hairs on the temples. It can even take longer than 2 months to notice improvements so be patient.

I, on average, miss about one application per week, so it's no big deal.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep at it and see how it goes.

 

[himynameisj]

Hi I am asking about the night use. When would it be good to put Minoxidil on before bed? How many hours, so that you don't leave it on the pillow when sleeping. I heard Minoxidil dries in 4 hours, but that means you got to put it on at 7 PM if you sleep at 11 PM.

 

[Versplinteren]

I also have a question: it says to apply 1 ml to the affected area. I've been applying .5 ml to each side for a total of ~1 ml. Is this correct or should it be 1 ml in each affected area?

 

[Jay198025]

I just started Members Mark Minoxidil 5% foam from Sam's Club about 4 days ago. I am noticing that my hair gets kind of crusty after applying it. Similar to some textured hair gels. I am wondering if this is just what the this brand of foam does or if I might be applying too much. Does anyone have any experience with this or tips on how much I should be applying? This crusty after effect makes it difficult to style my hair.