Rogaine is one of the most renowned hair loss products. There are three formulas available on the market, but in this article, we’ll discuss the best way on how to apply rogaine foam and liquid to the hair.
For today’s post, we’ll talk about how Rogaine works and what the best way to use it is, regardless of the presentation you’ve decided to use.
About Rogaine
Minoxidil is the main active agent of Rogaine. At first, this ingredient was used as a treatment for hypertension. It is also a vasodilator, meaning the blood vessel walls relax, and blood circulation improves with its usage.
There are numerous theories about how Rogaine works so effectively against alopecia, but none of them are confirmed as of now. We know that since this medicine improves circulation, there will be more nutrients and oxygen reaching the follicles, which also causes them to stop miniaturizing. This way, hair regrowth will continue without interruptions. However, it does not stop DHT from binding to the androgen receptors in the scalp, which will cause miniaturizing over time and result in hair loss. Minoxidil may still stimulate the partly-miniaturized follicles to grow and hold hair that it normally wouldn’t be able to do, which some people experience as hair regrowth.
Rogaine is a topical solution that comes in the form of foam, liquid, or extra-strength liquid. It is used as a treatment for different types of alopecia, and according to the manufacturer, it has better effects on the crown.
This topical drug is often prescribed to patients in the first stage of pattern baldness. Therefore, it is very likely that using Rogaine as treatment may not be effective for you if you’re in the later stages of this condition or if you’re experiencing major hair loss already.
The medicine is not recommended for individuals under 18, who are pregnant or lactating, or if the cause for the hair loss is not related to male-pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss.
How to use Rogaine Foam or Liquid
There is no difference between the use of Rogaine foam or liquid. The main difference between each one is that foam dries in about twenty minutes — so much faster than the liquid counterpart. Foam does not keep its foam form for long. As soon as you apply it and gently massage it into the scalp, the foam sticks to the scalp and the hairs and gets absorbed. If there’s any white foam visible, just gently press it or massage it until the bubbles disappear. In my personal experience – using my fingers to gently massage the solution into the scalp – it simply looks like I have used a little bit of hair product in my hair, and it doesn’t bother me that it hasn’t dried and nobody notices anything by the time I arrive at work.
How to Apply Minoxidil:
- Firstly, wash your hair and scalp meticulously. Make sure it is completely dry.
- Use cold water to rinse your hands, and use a clean towel to dry them completely.
- Prepare your solution. Depending on what you’re using, the recommended doses are 1ml for liquid and ½ cap of foam in your fingers.
- Start applying the Minoxidil to the scalp and emphasize the areas where the hair is thinning and the most affected zones. Gently rub the substance with your fingers.
- Once you’re done, please wash your hands and let the substance dry.
Depending on the product you used, it will take longer to dry. As mentioned, foam dries completely after twenty minutes, max twenty-five. On the other hand, if you’re using the liquid, it would be best to apply it a few hours before you go to bed as it takes longer to dry.
Some people apply it in the morning and in the evening after they get home from work – at least 4 hours before they go to bed – in order to let the minoxidil be absorbed and not have residue left on their pillows. Some people wash out any rogaine from their scalp and hair before they go to bed.
You should repeat this process accordingly to what was recommended to you. The usual dose is twice or once daily, either in the morning or in the nighttime.
