Does Minoxidil Work For Beard Growth?

Key takeaways:

• Can minoxidil help you grow a fuller beard?  Possibly, but it is important to keep your expectations measured. The study that establishes its use is small in scale and found improvement when comparing 3% minoxidil lotion with placebo. This is encouraging but doesn’t establish much about who will benefit the most or how reliably it can show results.
  
• Is minoxidil approved for beard growth? No. Using minoxidil for beard growth is off-label. This means that it is not its main intended use. The product instructions specifically mention to apply it to the scalp. That said, it may be suggested by your doctor, in which case they will assess the benefits and risks of treatment to you individually. 
  
• How quickly can you expect to see results? With minoxidil, like most hair growth medications, it is best to think in months rather than days. It needs consistent application for months before you can expect to see any visible changes.
  
• What side effects should you watch out for? The most common side effects are localised itching and irritation. If these persist, you may want to discuss it with your doctor. Stop treatment and seek immediate medical attention if you happen to develop dizziness, a racing heartbeat, chest pain, or swelling.
  
• What should you consider before choosing treatment? Before starting treatment, you may want to talk through your options with a doctor such as your GP or dermatologist. They will be able to guide you on treatments available and the benefits and risks applicable to your individual circumstances. 

Beard growth can be a big deal for men. The ability to grow a beard is often seen as a rite of passage; a huge milestone for any male is having their first shave. Sometimes, we inherit a beard thickness that we just aren’t happy with, or our beards might be growing thinner with age. 

To combat this, there are many different ways men explore to solve their beard growth problem, such as lotions, oils, or even opting for a beard hair transplant. Another option talked about is minoxidil. Minoxidil is known to help with scalp hair growth, but in this article we will discuss whether it can also help you grow your beard. 

What is minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a medication used for the treatment of hair loss. In the UK, it is sold under the brand name Regaine. Minoxidil is available both as a prescription (in tablet form) and over the counter (topical form) to help prevent hair loss and regrow hair in people with pattern baldness. Minoxidil comes in three forms: a solution, a foam and an oral tablet.

Minoxidil was originally prescribed to treat high blood pressure, but these days, the medication is mainly used to treat hair loss in women and men. While minoxidil is mostly licensed to treat hair thinning and balding in the hairline, temples, or crown, a growing off-label use for the product is to promote beard growth.

How does minoxidil work?

Minoxidil is typically applied to the scalp to aid with hair loss. When using minoxidil in the beard, it is applied to the lower face, chin, and neck. When applied to the skin, it is converted into minoxidil sulfate, the active form of the drug, and stimulates hair growth.

The exact way that minoxidil and its active metabolite, minoxidil sulfate, help to stimulate hair growth is unknown. The current evidence shows that minoxidil acts by widening blood vessels under the skin, allowing more blood to flow to the hair follicles. This improved circulation carries with it more oxygen and nutrients, which can be used to grow thicker and healthier hair.

Alongside this effect, laboratory studies have shown that minoxidil lengthens the growth (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle, leading to thicker and healthier hair. This can help to treat a thin or patchy beard as well as thin areas of the scalp and eyebrows.

Is minoxidil good for facial hair density?

While minoxidil can be effective for head hair, it should be noted that there is very little evidence to support the benefits of minoxidil for facial hair growth. The thought is that Minoxidil can help stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, improving facial hair density in the beard.

Only one study has been carried out on the use of minoxidil for beard growth. It noted modest improvements compared to placebo with a 3% minoxidil lotion. However, these results were small and do not prove the efficacy of minoxidil for beard growth.

“We sometimes recommend patients explore using Minoxidil to thicken their beard if surgery isn’t indicated. It can help thicken existing hair in the beard, but there are no guarantees it thickens it to the extent a patient would like” 

Dr Roshan Vara, Co-Founder and Hair Transplant Surgeon at The Treatment Rooms London

Clinical evidence for minoxidil

Minoxidil has been extensively studied for its effectiveness in promoting hair growth, increasing hair thickness, and treating hair loss. These studies position minoxidil as a strong evidence-based medication for hair growth. 

As a result of this, some people use minoxidil to help with beard growth, but it has not been proven to work for this purpose. 

How to use topical minoxidil for beard growth

If you’re curious about using minoxidil for beard growth, it’s worth reiterating that there is very little supporting evidence that minoxidil actually helps and stimulates beard growth. This is particularly true if you don’t have much existing facial hair.

If you choose to use minoxidil on your beard, we recommend you apply a small amount twice a day to your beard. Repeat the application for at least 16 weeks, or until you see visible results. Noticing hair growth from minoxidil can often take 6-12 months on your scalp, so expect at least a similar timeframe if trying it on your beard. 

Should you choose to use minoxidil in this way, you might want to take before and after photos so that you can see whether there has been any noticeable change to your beard.

Optimising Your Minoxidil Treatment for Better Results

In order to get maximal benefit from your minoxidil treatment, you need to apply it correctly and consistently. Here are some tips to help you:

Tips for Maximising Hair Growth

1. Use the correct concentration: A 5% minoxidil solution is more effective than a 2% solution for promoting hair growth.
   
2. Apply it correctly: Apply minoxidil to the beard area where you would like to achieve increased growth twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. To help it absorb more fully, massage the minoxidil into the scalp or beard area for at least 30 seconds.
   
3. Be consistent: minoxidil, like many hair loss medications, requires you to apply it consistently in order to see a good result.
    
4. Combine with other treatments: You can combine minoxidil with other hair growth treatments, such as microneedling therapy. This gives the best chance of achieving improved beard growth without having to trial each separately. 
   
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Looking after yourself, including eating a well- balanced diet,  exercising regularly, and managing your stress, can all improve your hair growth. If you have a healthy body, it is more conducive to growth and repair. 

How long before you start seeing minoxidil’s effects?

When used on the scalp, minoxidil can take 4-6 months before you notice a visible change in your hair. In the meantime, you will likely experience some light hair shedding rather than growth. This is a sign that the minoxidil is working and clearing the way for newer, stronger hair growth.

If we apply this knowledge to beard growth, then we can expect a similar timeline to the scalp. Again, it is possible that you may see some light shedding from your beard at first before your beard hair grows back thicker and stronger.

Over the longer term, you should be able to keep the results of your hair growth for as long as you keep using minoxidil. If discontinued, it is likely your beard will return to its natural state. 

Is minoxidil safe for beard growth?

While minoxidil is only approved for hair growth, it is also considered safe for beard growth too (though its effectiveness has yet to be confirmed).

However, as with any medication, there are some possible side effects that you may notice when taking minoxidil for beard growth. These side effects can include:

• Dry and itchy skin
  
• A scaly texture on the skin
  
• Weight gain
  
• Dizziness
  
• Redness or irritation in the area where the lotion was applied
  
• Some changes in the colour or texture of hair
  
• Unwanted hair growth: Applying minoxidil can sometimes lead to unwanted hair growth in adjacent areas, such as the eyebrows or neck. To minimise this risk, apply minoxidil only to the targeted area and avoid contact with other skin areas

Most of these side effects should disappear as your body becomes used to the minoxidil. However, if they continue to persist, consult your GP.

Potential Risks and Considerations

Minoxidil is generally safe and well-tolerated, but as with any medication, there are some potential risks to be aware of. Understanding these can help you make an informed choice before you start using it. 

More Serious Considerations

1. Allergic reactions: Although it is rare, some individuals can experience an allergic reaction to minoxidil. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat and having trouble breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency treatment right away. 
   
2. Cardiovascular effects: Minoxidil can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease or palpitations, make sure you get approval from your doctor before using this medication. 

Alternatives to minoxidil for beard growth

As minoxidil isn’t proven to help with beard growth, it is best to look at alternatives to this medication. There are a few options that you can consider:

• Neoxyl is a popular alternative medication that also targets hair growth. It is similar to minoxidil, but is a water-based solution that doesn’t contain solvents that tend to cause side effects such as propylene glycol (PPG).
  
• Some people use acupuncture to promote beard growth, as this is thought to stimulate blood flow around the hair follicles. However, evidence for this is limited
  
• Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet or reducing stress may also help to keep your beard healthy. For more on this, visit our blog post on how to fix a patchy beard.

But for a more surgically backed solution for beard growth instead of minoxidil, it’s worth considering a beard transplant. This surgery can be performed using the FUE or FUT hair transplant technique. It typically has a downtime period of 5-10 days.

A beard transplant is a safe surgical procedure that offers more permanent and lasting results. You can choose the style of beard you want, as well as where you want it to grow from, and it typically only requires a single operation.

If you are thinking about having a beard transplant, book your consultation with us today. Our expert surgeons will be more than happy to guide you through your options and the services we offer at The Treatment Rooms London.

References

• https://www.byrdie.com/minoxidil-for-beard-5208895 
• https://www.healthline.com/health/minoxidil-beard 
• https://www.stubbleandstache.com/blogs/blog/minoxidil-beard-does-minoxidil-work-for-beard-growth 
• https://www.menshealth.com/health/a34160011/rogaine-minoxidil-beard/ 
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1346-8138.13312
• https://www.fatherly.com/style/does-minoxidil-work-for-beard-growth-what-men-need-to-know
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325566