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, you’ll learn how Minoxidil improves your facial hair, and see real-life before and after results and photos of using Minoxidil for beard growth.
Minoxidil is a topical hair loss solution used to treat a variety of hair disorders. This popular 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.
Minoxidil has been shown to promote beard growth in multiple patients. Take this 17-year-old transgender male patient [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 [5-6].
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.
After 1.5 years of consistent 5% Minoxidil foam use, Youtuber Kaz Veselka saw fantastic results in 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 [5].
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, Youtuber Jamie 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 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.
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 enzymes in your body converting 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 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 beard.
Learn more about getting a beard transplant in our resources:
Whether it be balding, thinning hair, or facial hair loss, our hair loss specialists are dedicated to helping you find the right treatment plan for you.
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