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Can I mix Minoxidil with hair oil? Uncover the facts about combining Minoxidil with hair oils for hair growth. Learn about potential benefits, risks, and proper usage to make an informed decision. Discover if this combination can enhance your hair care routine and promote healthy hair growth. Explore the dos and don’ts of using Minoxidil alongside hair oils to achieve the best possible results for your hair health and regrowth journey.
I’m sure many of you guys might have heard of the product minoxidil, which is specifically designed for the purpose of treating hair loss in both men and women as well.
Hair loss has become quite a common problem in men and women all over the world and there are many factors that are responsible for the loss of hair. From improper hair care routines, to use of heat styling tools and chemicals, to hormonal changes, environmental factors and much more.
Therefore, many people often choose to use hair growth oils, serums, leave-in masks and other such hair growth inducing products to help regrow their hair and stop hair fall.
Off late, minoxidil has become quite a popular ingredient, used by both men and women to reduce hair loss and regrow thinning hair. But since it is a topical solution, can minoxidil be mixed with hair oil and other such hair products? Can it actually enhance its efficacy or reduce it? Well, let’s find out, shall we?
What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a topical solution which is a treatment used to help treat men who suffer from male pattern baldness and in women who have issues with hair thinning.
This topical treatment often goes under the brand called ‘Rogaine’, and other brand names like ‘Kirkland Signature’ etc., wherein the active ingredient in their product/solution is minoxidil. This active ingredient minoxidil works as a vasodilator. This means that it can make the blood vessels in the scalp dilate and thereby increase blood flow to the nerve endings and can stimulate blood circulation in the scalp. This can push the hair follicles towards hair growth.
Using minoxidil on the scalp and hair can help increase an enzyme called ATP or adenosine triphosphate, in the hair follicle. This can help extend the hair growth phase, anagen and can help shorten the hair resting phase, telogen.
Some of you may be wondering whether this treatment can be used by anyone or does it require a prescription.
Well, minoxidil is a topical solution that is easily available and can be just bought as an OTC (over-the-counter) medicine. But this is not recommended and getting it medically prescribed is always advised. This is because a medical professional will advise you how often you will need to apply this treatment on your scalp, to achieve the best and desired results.
Can I Mix Minoxidil with Hair Oil?
No, minoxidil should not be mixed with any type of oil. This is because it can decrease the efficacy of the product and will not give you the desired results.
Minoxidil is a very potent type of topical solution and this medication is directly applied on the scalp and over time, it will prevent hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. Therefore, sole application of only minoxidil, completely unmixed, is very essential to get the whole benefit.
But, that being said, it doesn’t mean that you cannot use oil on your head during the course of the minoxidil treatment. Of course, you can. Here’s what you need to do – apply the minoxidil and wait for a couple of hours for it to get absorbed into the scalp and take effect. Then, after it has sunk in well enough, you can then apply or use any oil on your scalp and hair.
Also, since minoxidil is only used on the scalp, you can always apply hair oil on the length and ends of your hair at the same time you’re using the minoxidil, just skip the scalp temporarily.
How Does Minoxidil Affect Hair Growth
Minoxidil is known to act on the scalp and hair in four ways. So let me give you guys a brief about each way.
1. Can help prevent the miniaturization of the hair follicles
Miniaturization of the hair follicles means shrinking of the hair follicles. This means the hair follicles can become smaller over time and then will not be able to absorb sufficient nutrients to make the hair grow properly. Thus, minoxidil can prevent this miniaturization of the hair follicles.
2. Can increase the blood flow to the hair follicles
Minoxidil can help enhance the flow of blood towards the hair roots or follicles. This is where the hair grows out from. Thus, when there is sufficient blood flow to the roots, there are sufficient nutrients being carried to the hair follicles, thereby making it grow.
3. Can stimulate the hair follicles towards hair growth
Hair grows in three phases – anagen phase (growth phase), catagen phase (transition phase) and telogen phase (resting phase). The anagen phase is the growth phase of the hair and when minoxidil is used on the hair, it can help extend this growth phase of the hair follicles, therefore increasing hair growth.
4. Can extend and increase the growth phase of the hair follicles
When minoxidil is used on the hair, it can not only extend the hair growth phase (anagen phase), but it will also shorten the hair resting phase (when the hair falls out) and can thereby, also reduce hair fall.
Application of minoxidil foam:
To apply the minoxidil foam on your scalp, you will need to use your fingertips for application. Partition your hair and then squirt out some foam onto your fingertips and apply it over your scalp. Then, gently massage it into your scalp. Lastly, wash your hands with a hand wash and leave the medication on for at least four hours before washing it off.
Here’s a note of caution while using minoxidil solution or foam. Minoxidil is solely meant for topical application on the scalp and therefore, make sure to wash your hands after application.
Do not get it into your eyes. If by chance it does enter your eyes, do not rub, but rinse properly with plain water. If it enters the mouth, gargle with plain water and then spit it out.
Can You Use Hair Products with Minoxidil?
No other hair products should be used along with minoxidil because it can reduce its efficacy and it can also have an allergic reaction with the chemicals from any products used in a chemical treatment. But this doesn’t mean you cannot get any other hair treatments done while you are undergoing the minoxidil treatment.
While it is better to avoid any other chemical hair treatments, you can still get treatments like keratin treatment, hair permanent straightening, hair coloring, use relaxers and get perms done.
But before you start off with any treatment, make sure that the minoxidil is completely washed off from the hair and scalp before you do any such chemical treatment.
Also, once the chemical treatment has been completed, give your hair and scalp a good wash and let it dry completely before applying minoxidil on your scalp again.
Final Takeaway
As we conclude, we are certain that for minoxidil to work most effectively, it is essential that it is used by itself, without mixing any oil or other product.
This is because minoxidil is a very potent topical medicated solution for the hair and thus needs to be used solely to obtain the desired results.
For those of you who wish to continue using hair oils and serums during the minoxidil treatment, you could continue to do so. All you need to do is make sure to give it a couple of hours after applying minoxidil on the hair before you use any hair oil or other product.
Overall, minoxidil is known to be a good product to help reduce hair loss and increase hair growth in both men and women. While it is available over the counter, a doctor’s prescription is always recommended to be able to follow the correct way of treatment.
Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
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