When I apply the liquid, the area stays wet for about 4 hours, is this normal? Then when it dries, I have a lot of white residue on both my hair and the bald corners. Does this mean it didn't absorb properly? The reason I ask is that I have a very dry scalp so I'm not sure if it's working. Also, even when I wash off the minoxidil in the morning, I now have an extremely flaky hairline. I've ordered tea tree oil conditioner to help counteract this, but is there anything else I can do? What I'm doing to apply the minoxidil is put a bunch of drops on the thinning areas (I have my hair buzzed to 1/4 inch) and then also on the bald corners. Then to keep it from running down my face, I massage it in quite a bit with my fingers. Is this the most common way of applying it? Any advice on any of these questions? Thanks.
Problem with minoxidil liquid absorption?
- Thread starter bv3131
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TheGrayMan2001
Senior Member
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- 18
I'm kinda in the same position I just rub it in on my hairline so it doesn't fall down my face, I assume it works...I haven't had any regrowth yet but I'm still hoping for some, almost been 2 months. Only applying once per day though.
I have the flakey stuff too though it only started in the past 2-3 weeks...I've never really had a dandruff problem so I assume it's from the minoxidil.
I really don't wanna use foam twice per day as I hear it's expensive, I was considering using it in the mornings.
I have the flakey stuff too though it only started in the past 2-3 weeks...I've never really had a dandruff problem so I assume it's from the minoxidil.
I really don't wanna use foam twice per day as I hear it's expensive, I was considering using it in the mornings.
follicle84
Experienced Member
- Reaction score
- 7
Your doing everything right. The problem is like many people your scalp is sensitive to minoxidils ingredients (alcohol, ppg). I can assure 4 hours is long enough for the minoxidil to absorb. The reason your scalp stays wet is because of the ppg residue thats left behind to ensure minoxidil is absorbed properly. If you cant handle the flaky scalp you could try xandrox 5% minoxidil with azelaic acid (no ppg), nizoral shampoo or spectral dnc. Im using spectral dnc which contains 5% minoxidil and many additional ingredients in it. It dries fast, no irritattion and hasnt given me a flaky scalp. Its a bit pricey however.
I've been on Regaine liquid for about 5 months now and developed a bit of a routine to minimise the flaking.
I'm not saying all these things will apply to everyone, I have buzzed hair, so firstly the flaking is really obvious if I don't attend to it and also using face-scrub and face-moisturiser on my head doesn't feel that weird, but if you have a full head of hair that might not work!
Basically I:
- don't actually leave minoxidil on when out in public, I use it in the evening (usually 6pm) and very early in the morning just for a couple of hours (6am to 8am - I go back to bed for a bit normally) and wash out before work. If I'm going out at night I won't put it on until I get back in.
- don't apply after showering, that seemed to make flaking worse for me.
- wash the minoxidil out with a tiny bit of light liquid scrub (Clearasil face scrub) and rinse out all the flakes this stirs up.
- moisturise the scalp afterwards with a very light face cream, this obviously stops your scalp getting dry but can also mask any tiny flakes that may have escaped your wash.
- don't rub you head! Not even a dainty scratch with your little finger nail!
And unless you had a skin condition before I think you will soon notice that it is just the residue from the liquid. I think a lot of people assume it's dandruff and irritation, but once you peel off a big long flake with your finger-nail you'll realise it's just the liquid and there's no way that's skin.
After saying all that I'm now going to try moving to a combination of liquid and foam, using liquid in the evening (probably the cheaper Kirkland stuff) and foam in the mornings. Hopefully that will mean I can leave the foam on, rather than my get up early and wash out before work routine, which admittedly is a bit of ball-ache (no finasteride pun intended).
I'm not saying all these things will apply to everyone, I have buzzed hair, so firstly the flaking is really obvious if I don't attend to it and also using face-scrub and face-moisturiser on my head doesn't feel that weird, but if you have a full head of hair that might not work!
Basically I:
- don't actually leave minoxidil on when out in public, I use it in the evening (usually 6pm) and very early in the morning just for a couple of hours (6am to 8am - I go back to bed for a bit normally) and wash out before work. If I'm going out at night I won't put it on until I get back in.
- don't apply after showering, that seemed to make flaking worse for me.
- wash the minoxidil out with a tiny bit of light liquid scrub (Clearasil face scrub) and rinse out all the flakes this stirs up.
- moisturise the scalp afterwards with a very light face cream, this obviously stops your scalp getting dry but can also mask any tiny flakes that may have escaped your wash.
- don't rub you head! Not even a dainty scratch with your little finger nail!
And unless you had a skin condition before I think you will soon notice that it is just the residue from the liquid. I think a lot of people assume it's dandruff and irritation, but once you peel off a big long flake with your finger-nail you'll realise it's just the liquid and there's no way that's skin.
After saying all that I'm now going to try moving to a combination of liquid and foam, using liquid in the evening (probably the cheaper Kirkland stuff) and foam in the mornings. Hopefully that will mean I can leave the foam on, rather than my get up early and wash out before work routine, which admittedly is a bit of ball-ache (no finasteride pun intended).