I don't think it's possible for the drug to have such serious side effects with the regular little dosage and the skin in between... That guy was probably also smoking a pack a day or doing oral minoxidil for that to happen.
I think the biggest culprit is the water retention caused by Minoxidil. The face is very sensitive to this. I know if I dose it high, I get bags under my eyes soon after or the next morning. They eventually subside.
