Minoxidil for Facial Hair Growth

Are you looking to add some serious volume to your beard? If so, you’re not alone. In recent years, beards have made a big comeback, and more and more men are looking to achieve the perfect beard.

While genetics play a role in how thick and full your beard can grow, there are a few things you can do to help promote beard growth.

One method is to use minoxidil, a medication commonly used to treat hair loss. Minoxidil is available over the counter in various formulations, including liquids, gels, and foam. It’s also available in different concentrations to choose the right one for you.

Today we’ll discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of applying minoxidil to spur beard growth.

What is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a medication that’s used to treat hair loss. While it is not designed for facial hair, some men have found that it can help promote beard growth.

Minoxidil works by decreasing the telogen phase, or the resting phase, of hair growth. This helps to promote the anagen phase or the growth phase (source).

What Happens When You Start Applying Minoxidil?

When you first start using minoxidil, you may notice some shedding. This is perfectly normal and is a good sign that the medication is working.

The shedding results from the telogen phase being shortened, which causes the hair to fall out so that new hair can grow in its place.

After a few weeks of using minoxidil, you should start to see new hair growth. This hair may be thinner and shorter than your normal hair, but it will get thicker and longer.

What Happens When You Stop Applying Minoxidil to Your Beard?

When you stop using minoxidil, the effects will slowly reverse. The hair you’ve grown while using minoxidil will eventually fall out, and you’ll be back to your normal hair growth pattern.

If you want to maintain the results, you’ll need to continue using minoxidil regularly.

Is Minoxidil Safe For Facial Hair Use?

Minoxidil is generally safe for most people to use. However, a few potential side effects are itchiness, redness, heart palpitations, and irritation.

If you experience these side effects, you should stop using minoxidil and talk to your doctor.

Minoxidil is not meant for use on the face, so it’s important to be careful when applying it to your beard. Avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

It’s also important to wash your hands after applying minoxidil to your beard. This will help avoid accidentally spreading it to other parts of your body.

The FDA has approved minoxidil as a hair loss treatment, but it has not been specifically approved for use on the beard.

Should You Use a Beard Conditioner With Minoxidil?

Beard conditioners such as beard oil and beard balm can help to keep your beard healthy and hydrated. This is especially important if you’re using minoxidil, as it can dry the skin.

Pro Tip: Use a beard oil that contains peppermint oil as this essential oil has been clinically proven to spur beard growth.

Testimonials From Other Men About Minoxidil

We came across many men who have tried using minoxidil to grow their beards with mixed results when researching this topic.

Some men saw great results, while others didn’t see any change.

Here are a few testimonials we wanted to share with you:

Beard Minoxidil Testimonial 4
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial 3
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial 2
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial 5
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial Reddit
Beard Minoxidil Testimonial Reddit 2

Minoxidil Provides Targeted Results

Unlike other beard growth products, minoxidil provides targeted results. This means that you’re more likely to see hair growth in the areas where you’re applying the medication.

For example, if you have a beard bald spot that you’re trying to fill in, minoxidil is more likely to help with that than a product like biotin, which promotes overall hair growth.

How to Apply Minoxidil to Your Beard?

Applying minoxidil to your facial hair is easy. Take the following steps:

  1. Foam: Apply a small amount of minoxidil foam to your hands and rub them together until the foam is distributed evenly. Gently massage the foam into your beard. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  2. Dropper: Place the dropper just above your beard and squeeze out a few drops of minoxidil. Gently massage the liquid into your facial hair. Wash your hands with soap and water.
  3. Gel: Scoop out a quarter-sized amount of minoxidil gel into your hands and rub them together until the gel is distributed evenly. Gently massage the gel into your facial hair. Wash your hands with soap and water.

Other Steps You Can Take While Applying Minoxidil to Help Your Beard Growth Thicker

Here are a few other small steps you can take that should help improve beard growth:

  1. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet is important for overall health, but it can also impact hair growth. Eat plenty of protein, as this is essential for hair growth. You should also eat foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, and eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as these vitamins are important for healthy hair growth.
  2. Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep gives your body the time it needs to repair and regenerate cells, and reduce overall stress.
  3. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin and hair hydrated. This is important for overall health.
  4. Limit stress: Stress can impact hair growth. Try to find ways to reduce stress in your life such as meditating.
  5. Beard Supplements: Many beard supplements claim to help with hair growth. Some of these supplements contain biotin, while others contain vitamins and minerals important for healthy hair growth.
  6. Herbs: Some herbs have been shown to spur hair growth. Try adding some herbs to your diet or using them topically on your beard.
  7. Beard oils and balms: As we mentioned earlier, beard oil or beard balm can help keep your beard hydrated. This is especially important if you’re using minoxidil, as it can dry the skin.

Conclusion

Minoxidil is a medication that is used to treat hair loss. However, it has also been shown to spur hair growth in other body parts, such as the beard. As a result, many men have used minoxidil to grow their beards with mixed results. Some men see great results, while others don’t see any change.

We hope that this article has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. We will do our best to answer your questions as soon as possible. Thank you for reading!

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam loves men's grooming products. Particularly of interest is managing facial hair and perfecting the art of the modern man's skincare routine. His work has been featured or quoted in several publications, including New York Magazine, Vice, Sharpologist, MIC, Elite Daily, and more. When Adam isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his two little kids who keep him both on his toes and young at heart.

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