Topical Minoxidil for Hair Growth: How Exactly Does it Work?
Here’s what you need to know about this popular treatment.
Hair loss and thinning can be stressful. It can significantly affect your appearance and take a toll on your confidence. That said, there’s a particular hair loss treatment that’s been popular for some time, and it’s minoxidil. It’s a relatively easy and accessible way to thicker, fuller hair—one that doesn’t require you to undergo any extensive procedure.
But first, it’s important to understand what it is and how it affects your scalp and hair.
What is minoxidil?
The oral form of minoxidil was originally designed by scientists as a treatment for high blood pressure—as an antihypertensive vasodilator. In 1987, experts developed a topical minoxidil solution that’s suitable for treating hair loss in males and females, available in either a 2% or 5% concentration. According to research, it’s up to 60% effective in preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth.
How does it work?
Applied directly to the head in the form of a solution or a foam, minoxidil is converted by the body—with the help of a natural scalp enzyme—into a salt called minoxidil sulfate. This then works by shortening the telogen or resting phase of the hair, helping strands enter the anagen or growing stage faster. (You can read more about the stages of hair growth here.) As a result, hair gradually becomes thicker and fuller with more growing hair.
The catch: You may not notice any difference in your hair until you use minoxidil for at least 8 weeks. Moreover, it’s been found that foam formulas may be more ideal than solutions, as the foam allows the easier penetration of the drug, increases delivery of the active ingredient, and reduces irritation to the scalp.
Who can use minoxidil?
Topical minoxidil can be purchased without a prescription, but it’s best to consult with your doctor or dermatologist first for proper assessment and treatment of hair loss. It’s most effective for people under 40 years old, and for those whose hair loss is recent. Unfortunately, the drug is not effective on receding hairlines.
Here’s a sample effect of topical minoxidil on a patient diagnosed with Telogen Effluvium, a common type of hair loss that usually happens after experiencing severe stress or a change to one’s body.
Before and after: Results after 8 weeks of using Bosley’s Extra Strength Minoxidil 5%, coupled with Bosley Shampoo and Conditioner for Non-Colored Hair.
Usage and safety
Minoxidil is usually applied twice a day—just make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Avoid applying after prolonged sun exposure. Do not put it on any part of the body aside from the scalp, and avoid contact with the eyes and mouth. Contact your doctor if you experience an itchy, dry, scaly, irritated, or burning scalp after applying minoxidil.
Talk to your doctor about taking minoxidil you:
- have an allergy to any of the ingredients in minoxidil
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, especially blood pressure meds
- are taking any vitamins
- have or have had heart, kidney, liver, or scalp disease
Shop Hair Helpers
Ready to try minoxidil for your hair woes? Here are some derma-approved hair growth helpers available at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions:
Clinically proven to regrow hair and slow down further hair loss, this leave-in, FDA-approved treatment is available in an easy-to-apply foam format and comes in two variants: for Men and Women.
Compared to the topical foam, this spray-on solution has a lower concentration for Women (2%)—ideal if your scalp is quite sensitive or reactive—and extra strength (5%) for Men.
For best results, Bosley’s Minoxidil formulas should be used with Bosley’s hair care products. Try the Bosley BOSRevive Starter Kit, P3,200, which includes the Bosley Nourishing Shampoo (150ml), Volumizing Conditioner (150ml) and Thickening Treatment (100ml). This all-in-one kit—available for color-treated and non-color treated hair—is designed to cleanse, volumize, and rejuvenate the hair and scalp to support healthy hair growth.
Finding the best hair solutions
Expert hair loss treatment requires expert advice to ensure you get to the bottom of your hair loss (as there are many possible causes) and determine the best way to go about it. Minoxidil is just one possible solution; there are plenty others you can explore, like Meso Hair or mesotherapy for your scalp, oral supplementation (check out hair-boosting supplements here), and the use of at-home stem cell technology.
For proper assessment and customized hair care and skincare recommendations, you can book a virtual or face-to-face dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You can also inquire at the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Center via (+63) 999-887-1944. View our full treatment menu here.
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SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:
 Bosley Professional Strength Follicle Energizer, P2,100 |
 Bosley BOSRevive Thickening Treatment, P2,750 |
 AnteAGE MD Home Hair System, P12,800 |
 AnteAGE MD Eye (15ml), P9,350 |
