white flakes in scalp using minoxidil

[kthan]

I started to use minoxidil (Rogaine 5%) about three weeks ago (I used it twice per day <1ml>. I do find that my scalp turns white after minoxidil is dried out. It doesn't look like it's darndruff. I believe they are white flakes (maybe ppg residue). It make my hair (black) looks ugly. I don't feel frequent itching or other irritation, though. My scalp becomes normal after I take a shower.

I searched the forum and found the similar symptoms from other threads. I was wondering if this symptom indicates that I need to stop using it or minoxidil is not good for my hair (scalp).
If not, is there any way to get them away? I read that it went away after 1-2 month usage. Or, it will be helpful to reduce the dose and/or to use Nizoral (which I just started to use <a>). If I use minoxdil only at night <it wouldn't be matter because I will take a shower in the morning>, would it significantly reduce the chance (speed/amount) of regrowth?


Any other advices I might try?

 

[IBM]

Yeah white flakes. It seems like skin but very white. I dont no what it is.

 

[kalbo]

I hope it'll go away cuz I've been using minoxidil for 3 months now and I'm still having that exact problem. I too have black hair and also fairly tanned skin so it gets REALLY noticeable when dried.

But what I find that helps a bit is using less minoxidil. I now use my finger to spread it out in a thin layer as opposed to just using the dropper.

But even when I try making it as thin as possible I still get the residue.... So I too would like to know any suggestions

 

[TAINTED-MEAT]

it does that to me too, but i'd rather have hair that looks like sh*t than no hair at all

 

[acd483]

I started to use minoxidil (Rogaine 5%) about three weeks ago (I used it twice per day <1ml>. I do find that my scalp turns white after minoxidil is dried out. It doesn't look like it's darndruff. I believe they are white flakes (maybe ppg residue).

I had the flaking problem...thought it was my scalp, so I did a test and stopped using the minoxidil for a few days...sure enough the flaking stopped. It's my opinion that the flaking is due to over-application.

Here's my test. For months I had been applying minoxidil to my hairline and vertex both am and pm. Then I switched and applied the full amt. to the hairline in the morning and to the back at night. The flaking began. So I've gone back to a proper distribution and the problem is solved. No more flaking. So use less or distribute more thinly and diffusely. A little goes a long way.

 

[shh5455]

Hmm I had some white flaking and started using head and shoulders and it went away.

 

[shizzle69]

Interesting I had the same problem when I started, I am guessing it might have been dead skin cells so I shaved my head bald, kept it low and that also seemed to work, but I whished I knew about head and shoulders before then. ):

 

[kthan]

It's been a while after I first posted in this thread. I've been careful about the amount of minoxidil (little less, but still twice a day). There's no more white flakes after that. I am not sure if less amount is the only key to resolve this issue.

Some people reported that it might get used to. So, when you pass a threashold time, the flaskes no longer appear.

Also, I used Nizoral 2-3 times per week. I think it will be helpful to remove that, just as much as head & shoulders can do.

 

[ANDREW_J_I]

i had the same, it really seems to have calmed down slightly. use nizoral twice a week and be patient mate.

 

[-cj-]

I believe it's a mixture of PPG and the alcohol drying out your scalp slightly.

It probably won't ever go away honestly, but is controllable. Wipe off the dropper before applying minoxidil. Use Nizoral weekly to help scalp health.

 

[whostolemyhair]

This is an old thread but I need help with peeling, burning and bleeding scalp

I used rogain (foam) all brands CVS, Walgreens, Kirkland and Rogain for 4 years and it stopped my hair loss and even grew hair back.....

2 months ago my head started to burn and my hair fall out. Scalp would bleed and itch like crazy. I stopped use and head stopped hurting and cleared up but hair loss continued. I tried Rogain again and same problem instantly. I switched to the eye dropper version and still the same result.

Any ideas what is going on?

Any alternatives?

 

[skyghost]

i get flaking as well, a good tea tree oil shampoo can help a lot, it did for me anyway.

 

[warner8]

when i starts minoxidil back in 2009 it would cause me to have flakes, but i had the best regrowth despite that. I've found that since 2013 to present, i no longer get the flaking, which means the formula must be different, and i have not had that great regrowth since. so maybe the flaking is a good thing, and means its penetrating the scalp

 

[pepgea]

I had those white flakes at the beginning but after 3-4 weeks disappeared without doing nothing. Maybe wait a bit more and if it continues maybe it's an intolerance to any of the ingredients