Rogaine For Beard Growth: Does It Really Work?
The Debate for and against using Rogaine(minoxidil) for a beard is a common topic in the beard communities. Some people wonder, ‘Does Rogaine(minoxidil) work for beard growth?’
Well, many men are faced with a situation when their beard just doesn’t grow as fast or as full as they wish. Mostly, it happens at the young age of about 17 – 18.
However, older men can also suffer from sparse hair growth. Beards are becoming more and more popular nowadays. And it is often very sad not to be able to grow one.
When different approaches have been tried and despair starts to settle in, men turn to special supplements and products like rogaine (also known as minoxidil), biotin, derma rollers, etc., that can help facial hair growth. One of the most popular ones is Rogaine. Its active ingredient that helps stimulate growth is minoxidil.
Does Rogaine Work For Beard Growth?
Many men have impressive results when it comes to growing beards with the help of Rogaine. However, it doesn’t suit everyone. It is possible that Rogaine will not work for you. So what you can do is try and see how it goes.
Rogaine is FDA-approved in the USA which means it underwent all the necessary trials to allow it to become an official treatment for hair loss.
How Does Rogaine Work?
It is believed that minoxidil (also prescribed for high blood pressure) the primary ingredient of rogaine increases the time hair spends in its active growth phase. It is also known to awaken inactive hair follicles and increase their size which allows them to start producing longer, thicker, and healthier hair.
Minoxidil is used to treat hair loss in both men and women. The drug is a vasodilator, which means it works by widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the scalp. This increased blood flow can stimulate hair growth in areas where the hair follicles are still active but have become miniaturized due to androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).
Rogaine is most effective when used to treat hair loss in the early stages. It may take several months of consistent use to see visible results, and the medication must be used continuously to maintain any hair growth that occurs. Rogaine is generally considered safe for use by most people, but it may cause side effects such as itching, redness, and irritation of the scalp. In rare cases, it may also cause unwanted hair growth in areas outside of the scalp where the medication has been applied.
Rogaine is available in both topical and oral forms. The topical version is a liquid solution that is applied directly to the scalp twice a day. The solution is typically applied to the affected area and rubbed in gently with the fingertips. The oral version of the drug is taken in pill form, but is not approved by the FDA for hair loss treatment and is primarily used to treat high blood pressure.
What Does Rogaine Hair Growth Solution Look Like And What Does it Contain?
Minoxidil is a transparent or yellow fluid that feels oily and smells like pure alcohol. It contains ethanol to help the solution dry faster and gives the smell of spirits to the solution. Propylene glycol allows the solution to penetrate the skin and makes it oily. Some people have allergic reactions to this component. There are special solutions where this ingredient is replaced with glycerin.
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How To Apply Minoxidil For Beard Growth?
Applying rogaine also known as a minoxidil solution for beard growth is very simple. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and wipe softly with a towel of facial tissue to make it dry.
Step 2: Apply a small amount of Rogaine solution to your beard area using the dropper. Make sure it will not get into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Step 3: Use your fingers to gently massage your skin to distribute it evenly. After massaging your skin with minoxidil, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent accidentally getting it into your eyes.
Step 4: Wait at least 3-4 hours to let your skin absorb the minoxidil solution. Repeat the process twice a day to achieve optimal results with at least 8 hours between applications. You can also apply it before sleeping and leave it overnight as it is safe to keep Rogaine on your skin for a longer time.
How Often Should You Use Rogaine?
If this remedy turned out to be effective for your beard growth, you must use it on a regular basis to maintain the result. If you stop using Rogaine then in a few months your beard will come back to looking as it did before you started the treatment. To get the best result you should use minoxidil (rogaine) twice a day.
The length of time it takes for minoxidil to work can vary from person to person, and depends on several factors, including the severity and cause of the hair loss, the age of the individual, and their overall health and genetics.
Studies have shown that it may take up to four months of consistent use to see visible results with minoxidil . During this time, hair follicles may undergo a resting phase before entering a growth phase, and it may take some time for the new hair growth to become visible. It is important to use minoxidil as directed and on a consistent basis in order to achieve optimal results.
After you take a break, you will have trouble reaching the same results again. That’s why you should decide whether or not you are ready to use Rogaine on a regular basis. This remedy is quite costly, so the financial situation should also be considered when starting to use Rogaine.
Side Effects of Minoxidil
Each medication has certain side effects. It is important to carefully read the instructions that come with Rogaine. It might turn out that you have individual contraindications to this medication. If you don’t exceed the amount of medication mentioned in the instruction then you shouldn’t experience any bad side effects.
However, some men say that when they just start using Rogaine, they experience facial redness and burning sensation in the places the medication is applied. Some suffer from a faster heartbeat that disappears after about 1 – 2 weeks.
One of the most popular side effects that the manufacturer often fails to mention is skin shedding in the places where Rogaine is applied.
Usually, you can easily deal with this problem by using facial creams and washing your face before applying Rogaine. The reason for shedding is pure alcohol that dries your skin. Also, some part of the medication might not be fully absorbed and stays on the skin surface.
Using Rogaine In Adolescence
Using Rogaine (minoxidil) on young individuals can be a controversial topic. It is approved by FDA for use in adults over the age of 18. So, rogaine (minoxidil) should be used only by adults over the age of 18 for beard growth.
It has not been tested on children, so using it can have some unknown side effects. Having a bushy beard at 17 might seem cool but sometimes it’s just not worth it. Facial hair growth in adolescents may be due to a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances or underlying medical conditions, that may require different treatment approaches.
Before & After Photos of Using Minoxidil for Beard Growth
Below are some photos that show the Rogaine (minoxidil) effect on beard growth.