Minoxidil is well-known as an effective treatment for scalp hair growth. Research suggests it can also visibly improve beard growth within just 4 months [1]. So what do the results of using Minoxidil for beard growth look like before and after treatment?
In this article, we’ll share:
Minoxidil is a topical hair loss solution used to treat a variety of hair disorders. This popular non-surgical hair loss treatment can help regrow hair by stimulating blood flow to the scalp. This additional blood flow provides the hair follicles with extra nutrients and oxygen, promoting healthy hair growth.
Minoxidil can be found under the brand name Rogaine or Regaine and comes in a variety of concentrations., including:
Many patients have reported successful beard growth from using Minoxidil, and more clinical evidence is emerging to support this. A 2024 study compared the use of 5% Minoxidil for beard growth on twin brothers, with clear results [2]:
In addition, this 17-year-old transgender male patient used Minoxidil alongside testosterone therapy to produce facial hair [3]:
He used topical Minoxidil over a 5-month period to stimulate facial hair growth. By 3 months, he had developed enough visible facial hair to avoid being misgendered. By 5 months, his beard had grown even more, potentially stimulated by testosterone therapy (which was started at around the 3-month interval).
Other studies have found that oral Minoxidil can also stimulate beard growth, even if it’s initially taken for another condition like androgenetic alopecia or alopecia barbae [4-5].
Minoxidil is a vasodilator. It makes the blood vessels beneath the area of application dilate, stimulating the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your follicles. It can also boost cell proliferation in the hair follicles, creating continuous tissue growth for healthier, stronger hair [2].
Minoxidil foam is said to deliver the active ingredient of Minoxidil to the target area more effectively than Minoxidil solution [2]. So many of those who use Minoxidil for beard growth opt to use foam rather than the Minoxidil solution.
Clinical photographic evidence showing the before and after effect of Minoxidil on facial hair growth is limited — so what does the anecdotal evidence show? Many men have documented their Minoxidil beard before and after journeys online.
After 1.5 years of consistent 5% Minoxidil foam use, one Youtuber saw fantastic results from using Minoxidil for his facial hair. His sparse, patchy beard has become thick and full.
He also claims to have retained his beard 10 months after stopping Minoxidil use. While this is possible, many people find that their beard hair loss resumes a few weeks or months after discontinuing Minoxidil. So it’s generally recommended that you continue using Minoxidil to prevent future hair loss.
Other men have also seen excellent growth and reduced patchiness after using a 5% Minoxidil product daily over the course of 5 months:
The longer and more consistently you use Minoxidil, the more likely you are to see results [4].
Let’s compare two cases. This first patient used 5% Minoxidil foam consistently over a minimum of 6 months, and documented his beard enhancement journey online:
His beard hair growth has become much thicker and more evenly distributed across his cheeks. At the 6-month interval, he has styled and shaved his beard. Minoxidil has given him greater control over the look of his facial hair, with many more beard grooming options.
In contrast, one Youtuber used the same Minoxidil concentration inconsistently over a 4-month period. His results after 4 months are noticeably less successful than the other post-Minoxidil treatment patients at just 3 months:
Minoxidil works best when used in the correct way. Here are some tips to get the most out of your Minoxidil routine:
Minoxidil can cause hair shedding, but this is usually temporary. It makes way for new hair growth — so don’t let this minor side effect stop you from using Minoxidil as directed. Cutting your Minoxidil application to 3 times a week can compromise your results. So if you want to see the best possible beard growth, it’s important to use this hair loss treatment as recommended.
Topical Minoxidil tends to have relatively few side effects. However, there are still some potential adverse effects to be aware of. These include [2]:
Learn more about the side effects of topical Minoxidil.
As these photos show, Minoxidil can be an extremely effective beard growth treatment. But it doesn’t always work for everyone.
Minoxidil’s success depends on the activity of sulfotransferase, an enzyme that converts Minoxidil into Minoxidil sulphate. Men with lower enzyme activity levels tend to see less success with Minoxidil treatment than those with higher enzyme activity [2].
It’s a myth that shaving your facial hair makes it grow back thicker. So what else can you do if Minoxidil doesn’t improve your facial fuzz?
Beard transplants and even moustache transplants are a great way to fix beard bald spots and patchy facial hair. Hair grafts are taken from healthy areas of growth — such as the back or side of your head — and implanted into the patchy areas of your facial hair. There are two types of beard transplant: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT).
Learn more about getting a beard transplant in our resources:
If you’re seeing results from Minoxidil but your facial hair isn’t growing as much as you’d hoped, you may wish to combine it with other hair loss treatments. A beard or moustache transplant can be combined with Minoxidil, but Minoxidil also works well alongside other hair loss solutions, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
Research suggests that Minoxidil’s impact on hair growth may be increased when combined with LLLT, particularly in the early stages of treatment [8]. However, most studies so far have focused on male pattern baldness and scalp hair growth. Further research is needed to determine whether similar results occur when these treatments are used for facial hair growth.
Another treatment that may work well with Minoxidil is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair treatment. This involves harvesting a concentrated sample of platelets from your own blood and injecting it into areas of hair loss. PRP’s ability to boost scalp hair growth is well-established, but only early research exists into PRP for beard growth. However, these early results are promising; for example, one study shows successful treatment of alopecia barbae with PRP [9].
Research suggests that combining Minoxidil with PRP may be more effective than Minoxidil alone [10], but most studies are small and focus on scalp hair growth rather than facial hair. Further research is needed to confirm these benefits for beard growth.
Whether it be balding, thinning hair, or facial hair loss, our trichologists are dedicated to helping you find the right treatment plan.
These hair doctors at our award-winning hair transplant clinic will assess your hair loss and perform diagnostic trichology tests to identify why your hair is falling out, or the reason it feels thinner. They will then create a hair restoration plan for you based on your needs and goals.
We have convenient clinic locations in many towns and cities across the UK. To find out more about the services we provide, book a consultation today.
Hair gains from Minoxidil beard growth are not permanent. They only last as long as you continue taking the medication unless you use another type of hair growth treatment alongside Minoxidil, such as a beard transplant.
If you are just using Minoxidil, hair loss will usually resume within a few months of stopping the medication. However, a hair transplant is permanent, including a transplant for facial hair.
Minoxidil may encourage beard growth if you have no facial hair. One case study documents the use of Minoxidil by a transgender male who previously had no facial hair, but induced beard growth with consistent application of topical Minoxidil 5% over 5 months [3].
There is no evidence to suggest Minoxidil ages your face. In fact, a pilot study from 2024 suggests Minoxidil may even have anti-ageing effects on your skin [11]. However, this study used a combination of human skin grafts and animal research. More research on humans is needed to confirm this potential benefit.
Yes, you can shave your beard while using Minoxidil. If you’re planning to shave, it’s best to do so before using Minoxidil or at least four hours after. Shaving too soon after using Minoxidil can wash away the solution, reducing its effectiveness.
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