Minoxidil: A Male Beard Growth Protocol
A Comprehensive Beard Growth Routine: Minoxidil and Derma Rolling
Read the 3 month Update here:
This blog entry outlines the comprehensive beard growth routine that I have and continue to use to improve the quality of my beard; in terms of coverage, uniformity of colour and thickness. While this routine is structured, it is crucial to approach it with caution and consult with a healthcare professional before initiating any new skincare regimen.
Well first discuss how I stumbled across this. Genetically, i’m somewhere in the middle. I have decent coverage with a lot of white vellus hairs in between, though i do have a few not so visible patches that i notice. My Facial hair is also very mixed in colour makes it look even more uneven, hence why i tend to keep my facial hair short and clean.
I first heard that something could be done about while sitting at a coffee shop and overhearing a conversation about Hair loss that quickly spun off into 10 differnt topics. Later that day i was curious into the curretn state of hairloss prevention and what can currently be done to help. While luckily hair loss is not currently a concern of mine (hopefully ever), i was interested in learning more about the human body and the mechanism of actions and the root cause of the hairloss.
This is when the reddit algorithm kicked in and suggested a subbreddit called MinoxBeards(Which ive linked on the bottom page) which discusses the off label use of Minoxidil to help fill in a beard. The forum posts had everything from success stories to horror stories and some warnings from experienced users. This was the turning ultimately resulted in my own protocol and this article.
Minoxidil – The core of this routine
As a vasodilator, minoxidil widens blood vessels and increases blood flow to the targeted area, facilitating enhanced nutrient and oxygen delivery to hair follicles. While scientific studies supporting its effectiveness for beard growth are limited, anecdotal evidence as discussed above within the grooming and bodybuilding communities suggests positive outcomes for some users. stimulating dormant hair follicles, leading to thicker and fuller facial hair over time. However, there no such thing as a free lunch. It does come with its own side effects that occur in some more than others and simple rules to follow when approaching such a protocol. Consulting with a healthcare professional before incorporating minoxidil into a beard growth routine is advisable for personalised guidance and safety considerations. This will only work if you have hair follicles on your face, some people do not respond to this at all and this is up to the individual to guage their abilty . my cue that it would work was the copious amount of vellus that appeared at the 1.5 - 2 month mark.
TLDR - 1ml Minoxidil liquid twice a day and moisturise after its dried. 0.5mm derma stamp/shave on non minoxidil days.
The Routine
Routine (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday):
Moisturise with SPF: Start the day by moisturizing your face with a sunscreen (SPF). This is essential as it helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
20-Minute Walk: A brisk 20-minute walk not only contributes to overall well-being but also promotes blood circulation, which is beneficial for hair growth.
Facial Cleansing: Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and warm water to remove any impurities and pat dry your skin.
Minoxidil Application: Apply 1ml of 5% minoxidil liquid to the beard and moustache area. Ensure even coverage and massage it in for absorption. Allow approximately 40 minutes for it to dry and fully absorb.
Moisturise: Finish the morning routine by moisturising your face with a high qaulity moisturizer, promoting hydration (Otherwise the propylene glycol will dry it out).
Repeat steps 3-5 at night if applying 2x a day.
Derma Rolling/Shave Days (Monday, Friday):
Moisturize with SPF: Begin your morning routine with SPF-rated moisturization.
20-Minute Walk: Incorporate a 20-minute walk into your morning routine for its overall health benefits.
Facial Cleansing: Wash your face with a facial cleanser and warm water, preparing for the shaving and derma stamping steps.
Shave: Shave your beard, ensuring a clean canvas for subsequent derma stamping.
Derma Rolling: Disinfect the derma roller with isopropyl alcohol, evenly roll backward and forwards 5 times over each part of the face, should take about 2-3 minutes, paying extra attention to lacking areas. Disinfect the derma roller afterward.
Moisturize Finish the morning routine by applying Cerave moisturizer to soothe and hydrate the skin.
Repeat Steps 6 at Night.
Minoxidil side effects
While I believe majority of side effects can be avoided by following a gradual implementation and keeping shaving/Derma stamping days separate they should still be mentioned for the sake of completeness and transparency.
Skin Irritation: Many users experience redness, itching, or dryness at the application site. This irritation is typically mild, but it can be bothersome. This can be reduced with a high-quality moisturiser being applied after the minoxidil has dried.
Changes in heart rate and pressure: (It was originally designed as blood pressure medication so that figures)
Eye watering: due to the propolyene glycol during application
Unwanted Hair Growth: In some cases, minoxidil may cause hair growth in unintended areas due to its systemic absorption.
Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Systemic absorption of minoxidil may cause cardiovascular effects, potentially leading to symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness
Other user reports including mild fluid retention in hands and feet (though this is only anecdotal). Keep in mind a lot of the Side effects you’ll read about are from oral minoxidil or from its combination with Finasteride or Dutasteride when attempting to stop or reverse hairless of the scalp. You can have a look at many posts regarding post finasteride syndrome commonly referred to as PFS and many other side effects of Fin and Dut. These are not the same as the Sid effects of topical minoxidil.
My Side effects
Dry Skin was the only side effect i experienced once i followed this protocol, when i was derma stamping on a minoxidil day i would have mild light headedness. This is may very to person to person but as you read the different protocols in the subbreddit you’ll see most of the side effects are benign. Of course, consult a healthcare professional before starting any protocol involving minoxidil.
Why don’t you shave or derma stamp on minoxidil days?
I had noticeable systemic Side effects(Light headedness) when dermal rolling/stamping and shaving on the same days I applied minox so I opted to take 1 – 2 days off a week to shave and stamp to minimize the risk of side effects.
Foam vs Liquid debate
There’s always a debate among forums on whether to choose minoxidil liquid or minoxidil foam. Let’s get a few things out of the way first. As long as the % of minoxidil and ML amount of solution you are apply is the same you are getting the same amount of active ingredient in your face regardless of method of administration(assuming legitimacy of product). While most reports tend to lean towards foam being easier to manage as it dries faster. I found its dramatically different cost to make it unappealing compared to liquid. Liquid is also easier to massage into the face and spread out evenly. Which is where I believe any difference in effect arises from.
What length Derma device?
Keep in mind different parts of the face have different skin thicknesses so may require adjustments if your beard line sites higher compared to others. My sweet spot is 0.5mm when doing it twice a week. This is one of the times where starting very low and working your way up to what is comfortable and matches your ability to heal is important to reduce inflammation and unnecessary side effects.
Cautions
It's imperative to follow the instructions on the minoxidil product diligently. These routines are NOT going to work faster or better by using more minox or more frequently. Side effects do not mean it is working or that it is strong. Watch for potential side effects and consult a healthcare professional if you experience any adverse reactions. Exercise caution with derma stamping, ensuring the proper sterilization of the equipment, and starting with a lower needle length before gradually increasing. If irritation occurs, consult a dermatologist or doctor.
Conclusion:
This meticulously crafted beard growth routine combines minoxidil, derma stamping, and essential skincare practices to optimize your journey to a fuller beard. However, individual responses may vary, and it's crucial to prioritize caution and consult with healthcare professionals for personalised advice. With dedication and consistency, this routine aims to pave the way for a flourishing beard over the course of 1-2 years. I highly advise you to have a look through the subreddit and read through some of the FAQ on the sub reddit as they shed light into some of the reasoning behind some of the practises within the protocol.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Minoxbeards/
As Time goes on ill upload progress photos below: Start Date 23rd October 2023
