Does anyone have a shaved head and use minoxidil liquid?

[FSHGLD]

Hey, I'm in the process of putting together a regimen and I want to know what should a guy with a shaved head do minoxidil-wise?
I read somewhere that on the Regaine box it says 'not for use on a shaved head' or something like that...but I thought the main problem with liquid minoxidil was that it makes your hair look really greasy?
So should I get the liquid or the foam? And any tips on which to buy and where to buy it from in the UK?
Cheers

 

[merkur]

@FSHGLD

I buzz without a plastic guard and also shave with a blade and use 5% minoxidil. Funny I just saw your post, I just finished shaving my head and just put on my minoxidil before getting ready for bed. I don't buy a brand like most do, I just get it prepared at my local pharmacy, its approximately $33 per month. After a hot shower, your pores on your skin are open, so soon after a shower I apply my minoxidil. After a shave, there is a slight slight sting, its hardly worth mentioning but I thought I would point it out. The formula I get prepared does not feel greasy or have any negative qualities about it. I started using it middle of last month so its too soon to speak about results. I also take approximately 1.25mg of finasteride every other day and use nizoral shampoo about 3 or 4 times a week.

 

[Nene]

I know some people get upset when I say this but I think you're really sabotaging you're potential gains by shaving you're head while using minoxidil. I believe minoxidil induced hairs need time to grow and thicken and if you shave them you'll never give them that opportunity. I was using minoxidil with great success, but I've been buzzing/shaving my hair with no guard for over a year and I feel that minoxidil really hasn't been effective while doing this, even though I start finasteride during that time. It is possible that my hair loss has just gotten more aggressive. In any event, I haven't shaved my head for over a month and I intend to let it grow for another 2 months at least to see if the minoxidil kicks in again. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[FSHGLD]

Cool, thanks for the replies. So is the stuff still kinda visible for a while after you put it on? Would I be better off buying foam?
@Nene, I don't really get where you're coming from with the idea that shaving your head is shooting yourself in the foot with minoxidil...I just buzz my head, I don't use a razor btw. Surely in this case it doesn't really make a difference what you do to your hair- if you respond to minoxidil, your hair will thicken up regardless?

 

[Nene]

Cool, thanks for the replies. So is the stuff still kinda visible for a while after you put it on? Would I be better off buying foam?
@Nene, I don't really get where you're coming from with the idea that shaving your head is shooting yourself in the foot with minoxidil...I just buzz my head, I don't use a razor btw. Surely in this case it doesn't really make a difference what you do to your hair- if you respond to minoxidil, your hair will thicken up regardless?

I think so long as you don't shave it with a blade it'll be ok. All I can say is that I was using minoxidil and got good regrowth. Then I buzzed it down with no guard and had a norwood 1.5 shadow. Then I shaved it with a blade, and to my surprise, when the stubble came in, it was in the outline of my natural hairline which is like 2.5. So anyway, some people on here have said that the minoxidil induced hairs grow really slowly, which makes sense. Maybe those hairs just needed more time to grow? :dunno: Before people get their panties in a bunch, I'll stress that this is just my experience. Anyway, I like the foam because it doesn't irritate my scalp but it's more expensive. My advice is to use the foam ESPECIALLY if you're going to keep your hair buzzed, the liquid will run down onto your forehead which is annoying. The foam doesn't seem to get much love on these forum though.

 

[merkur]

@Nene

Thats an interesting theory about shaving while using minoxidil. I remember years ago in my early 20s I was using minoxidil (from Dr. Lee) for a brief time when my hair was longer and I can't seem to recall any noticeable thickening. I probably didn't stay on it long enough and likely wasn't very adherent to the regime either. Anyways, currently I am hoping to get general thickening and in my frontal, top and crown area. I shave maybe once a month, but mostly just buzz without a guard every 2 to 3 days.

My understanding is minoxdil will increase circulation to the hair bulb and induce a quicker hair cycle ending initially (shedding) and then regrow thicker healthier hair in place of the thinner weaker hair before it. Shaving as far as I know is lifting and cutting just below the skin surface (thinking of those Gillette ads on TV) not affecting the hair bulb itself.

@FSHGLD

The minoxidil I use which is prepared by a pharmacist near by is not greasy at all and dries quite quickly. It is a 5% solution. I do recall years back when I was experimenting with minoxidil (Xandrox to be specific) and found that to be greasy and yellowish in appearance. This stuff I'm using now is colorless and hasn't caused any issues so far.

 

[reckless]

I don't think shaving your head should have an effect because the hair root is still in your scalp even if you have shaved it off.

If you waxed your head then then that would be another thing as you are pulling the hair out. Yes I know no one waxes their head!

I just started my routine a couple of days ago and buzzed my hair number four on top and 2 on the back and sides.

I've noticed that the minoxodil gets to my scalp more having shorter hair. I'm going to do this every four weeks.

Why not just buzz your hair number 2 on top?

 

[Nene]

I hear what you guys are saying. I know it's very counter intuitive because obviously you don't shave the follice off, just the hair. All I can say is I don't advise taking the mach 3 to your dome if you've had good regroth from minoxidil, but this is just my personal advice!

 

[joshua88]

Both facts aren't mutually exclusive:

1) minoxidil induced hairs grow more slowly.

2) Shaving your head won't affect the effectiveness of the minoxidil.

However, if you DO shave, what Nene says is probably true... that the outline of your natural hairline will be what appears first.

 

[FSHGLD]

Ok Nene I think I'll take your advice and get the foam for the mornings...My Kirkland just arrived and I'm waiting for it to dry as we speak. The leaflet says don't use your hands to rub it in and wait 2-4 hours for it to dry, and you can't even wear a hat for those 2-4 hours? I've an interview on Tuesday..there's no way I'm going with a greasy minoxidil head..

The other thing...it says it doesn't work on the front part of your head and says not to apply it there..I had heard this before, but it seems like most people on this forum just apply it everywhere that they're losing hair..Any thoughts on this?

 

[Cassin]

countless guys over the years have passed through here with shaved heads using minoxidil...never heard of it being a problem.

 

[FSHGLD]

yeah I think I over-reacted a bit...It dried in about half an hour..When I first put it on I thought it'd be really obvious that I had some bubbly oily stuff on my head..

 

[Guest]

Ok Nene I think I'll take your advice and get the foam for the mornings...My Kirkland just arrived and I'm waiting for it to dry as we speak. The leaflet says don't use your hands to rub it in and wait 2-4 hours for it to dry, and you can't even wear a hat for those 2-4 hours? I've an interview on Tuesday..there's no way I'm going with a greasy minoxidil head..

The other thing...it says it doesn't work on the front part of your head and says not to apply it there..I had heard this before, but it seems like most people on this forum just apply it everywhere that they're losing hair..Any thoughts on this?

when i first started my regimen, my head was shaved and i used liquid minoxidil. i actually liked it because you could use a lot less and get more coverage. i have also used foam, and while its easier to apply, its a lot more expensive. i rather take the extra 5 minutes to apply liquid and save more money. My liquid minoxidil defiently does not take 2-4 hours to dry. these people that say that must be drenching their heads with minoxidil. I use 1ml and it is plenty to cover me entire thinning areas.

as for minoxidil not working on the temples, i think the minoxcompanies say that to cover their own a$$. look at all the success stories where people have had temple regrowth. they all used minoxidil on the temples. I also am having temple regrowth, two months into my regimen and YES i do apply minoxidil to my temples. if anything, my temples are filling in faster than my crown.