Minoxidil for Beard Growth

Minoxidil, also commonly referred to by its trade name, Rogaine, is a blood-pressure medication that was once taken orally. After noting the side effects of extra hair growth, it was adapted into a topical solution to help regrow hair on the vertex of the scalp.

Because of its ability to help grow hair, minoxidil is often used by men to promote facial hair growth. 5% minoxidil is used the most in regards to beard growth, and some men have experienced progress while using 3%. It is not recommended to use anything higher than 5%, but many use those as well. Be careful if choosing to go over 5%, not only for the possibility of additional side effects, but also that mixtures above 5% tend to have DHT blockers included in the ingredients, rendering it suboptimal for the purpose of beard growth.

Minoxidil promotes growth by causing hair in the telogen phase to enter anagen, these being part of the hair cycle. As well, minoxidil opens potassium channels, which allows additional nutrients to reach the follicle. These two actions combined help hair grow full and strong; not only on the scalp, but also in the beard area of the face.

Contrary to the belief of some, minoxidil itself is not a DHT blocker. It does not inhibit the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, so its mechanism of growth is not what some believe it to be. One easy way of realizing that minoxidil is not a DHT blocker is to look at certain products; at times, they will include DHT-blocking ingredients and a higher percentage of minoxidil. This is for those that are using minoxidil on the scalp and don't find it very effective. When a man has a predisposition to male pattern baldness, it is indeed DHT that is the cause in many cases. The same does not apply to the beard, and androgen sensitivity is welcomed when it comes to the facial area. More DHT for the beard is always good, whereas more DHT for the scalp may be bad, depending on genetics.

There are many different brands of minoxidil. Not all of them are viable to use for beard growth, as many include the use of DHT-blocking ingredients. Most 5% and lower solutions, however, generally do not contain DHT blockers. 5% is the one that most people opt for when it comes to the facial area. Some brands include:

As it is now, minoxidil is used successfully for areas of the scalp other than the vertex. But because scientific tests can cost a large amount of money, it has only been specifically tested and approved for sale of use on the vertex by the FDA. This does not mean that minoxidil can work on solely the vertex, it is simply that the product must specify such, as per testing only that area.

Of course, use caution when applying minox — whether to your scalp or face. Remember, doctors in many countries won't advise the use of minoxidil on your face, because it would malign with the FDA and what's been thoroughly tested. However, many dermatologists and doctors, particularly outside of the United States, have expressed the positivity of minoxidil promoting facial hair growth.

• Headache
• Bloating (water retention)
• Dry skin
• Itchiness
• Irritation
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hair growth in areas of the body other than the application area

In relation to applying minoxidil to your face, the list above is not to be expected, but things to be aware of. Not everyone gets side effects, nor do they always get multiple if they have one (usually dry skin).

Consult with a doctor if you experience any drastic side effects.

• Guide on using minoxidil for beard growth