Applying Minoxidil
Wash your hair and scalp thoroughly. Towel or blow-dry your hair as desired. Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry before applying the minoxidil.
Rinse your hands in cold water and dry well.
Prepare the solution. Minoxidil comes in two forms: liquid and foam. Both formulations can be used by men and women. Liquid: Load the applicator. Fill the applicator with 1 milliliter (0.034 fl oz) of minoxidil solution, or use 20 drops. Foam: Invert the can and dispense about 1/2 a cap full of foam onto your fingers.
Apply minoxidil to your scalp. Part your hair where it's thinning, and evenly apply the minoxidil to the affected area, rubbing it in with your fingers. Wash any residue off your hands. Focus on applying the product to the crown of your head. According to Matt King, professional hair stylist, "Rogaine is meant to be applied to the crown of the head. There are other options, such as minoxidil pills, that will help for other areas of the head, but Rogaine is generally meant to be applied on the crown of the head."
Let the minoxidil dry. Allow the applied minoxidil to dry completely—about 20 to 25 minutes—before adding other hair-styling products such as gels, mousses. Wait 2-4 hours before going to bed.
Repeat this process as recommended. Generally, this is twice a day—in the morning, and in the evening—or as often as your doctor recommends.
Using Minoxidil Effectively
Understand the effect is temporary. Minoxidil is not a permanent cure for baldness, and will only be effective as long as you use it at least twice a day, every day. Use your phone to set a twice-a-day reminder, until it becomes an automatic habit.
Use the recommended amount of minoxidil. Additional amounts or more frequent applications will not improve your results; you'll only waste product.
Don't make up missed applications. If you skip an application, don't double up the next day. Simply pick back up where you left off.
What to Expect
Expect shedding hair. While it seems counter-intuitive, shedding hair means that new growth has begun. This may last a few weeks, but it is just temporary: the shedding hair is older hair that would have fallen out, making room for the newer, healthier hair.
Be patient. New hair growth usually takes about 4 months, though some have results as early as 8 weeks. New hair growth may be soft and downy, like peach fuzz. Eventually, new hairs growing in will be the same color and thickness as your normal hair. To maintain this growth, you will need to continue using minoxidil.
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