High minoxidil Use

[follics]

Hi. Thanks for having me on your board.

I never have had any irritation from using minoxidil 3x a day. I also use Nizoral every other day. I applied it for months when my head was shaved, figuring better absorption, not flaking or irritation.

So, am I doing any big help or hurt by putting 1 or 2ml 4x a day? My hair is short enough that it does not effect styling, and the stuff is so cheap at Costco that price is not an issue.

What do you think?

 

[OverMachoGrande]

Honestly don't think applying it more than 3 times per day will give you any better results. You could use more minoxidil at each application but there is a threshold of how much your scalp can absorb.

I agree minoxidil is cheap at the club store too, I get mine at Sam's Club and get a 6 month supply for $17.00. It's the only store that I have seen a 6 pack of bottles.

 

[Bryan]

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1989 Apr;45(4):396-402.

"Absorption of minoxidil after topical application: effect of frequency and site of application"
Eller MG, Szpunar GJ, Della-Coletta AA.

Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Upjohn Company, Cincinnati, OH.

Abstract
The effect of application site and frequency on the systemic absorption of topical minoxidil was studied in 52 normal men. Subjects received 1 ml 3% minoxidil solution applied four, six, or eight times daily to the scalp or two, four, six, or eight times daily to the chest for 14 days. Serum and urine were collected and analyzed for minoxidil. No systemic minoxidil accumulation occurred from increasing application frequency to the scalp. Trends in the chest data suggest that absorption may have been lower with the twice-daily regimen. Absorption through the scalp and chest were similar for the lower-frequency regimens; however, trends in the eight-times-a-day regimens suggest that absorption may have been somewhat greater from application to the scalp. Systemic minoxidil accumulation resulting from frequent application is unlikely. The initial dose probably saturates the skin for a period of time longer than the dosing intervals examined.

 

[casperz]

I've stepped up my minoxidil use the past four months to 3ml twice a day. No side effects noted except my hair stopped shedding. I buy from a seller on EBay, 12 bottles at a time. Each bottle lasts about 10 days. I think minoxidil success is dose related and it's good news that there is no systemic absorption.

If I could apply it mid-day I would. I might try 7am, 6pm and 11pm bu I doubt it would make a difference.

 

[holdhotter]

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1989 Apr;45(4):396-402.

"Absorption of minoxidil after topical application: effect of frequency and site of application"
Eller MG, Szpunar GJ, Della-Coletta AA.

Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Upjohn Company, Cincinnati, OH.

Abstract
The effect of application site and frequency on the systemic absorption of topical minoxidil was studied in 52 normal men. Subjects received 1 ml 3% minoxidil solution applied four, six, or eight times daily to the scalp or two, four, six, or eight times daily to the chest for 14 days. Serum and urine were collected and analyzed for minoxidil. No systemic minoxidil accumulation occurred from increasing application frequency to the scalp. Trends in the chest data suggest that absorption may have been lower with the twice-daily regimen. Absorption through the scalp and chest were similar for the lower-frequency regimens; however, trends in the eight-times-a-day regimens suggest that absorption may have been somewhat greater from application to the scalp. Systemic minoxidil accumulation resulting from frequent application is unlikely. The initial dose probably saturates the skin for a period of time longer than the dosing intervals examined.

Does this imply that using it in the morning and then 4 hours later is pointless?

If so, maybe I should just cut down to once a day and save money.

 

[Bryan]

Does this imply that using it in the morning and then 4 hours later is pointless?

If so, maybe I should just cut down to once a day and save money.

Yeah, I would consider doing a second application only 4 hours after the first one to be rather iffy. If that's the only choice that _I_ had, I personally would save the money (and the hassle) by doing it only once a day.