5 Things You Need to Know Before Using Minoxidil Spray

Starting minoxidil spray for the first time? Great: it’s one of the most well researched and effective treatments for male pattern baldness. But before you dive in, there are a few things that can really help you get the most out of it (and avoid some common mishaps along the way.

From choosing the right strength, to knowing about the temporary shedding phase, to boosting your results with add-ons like microneedling, here are a handful of things every guy wishes he’d known before starting.

1. Use 5%, not 2% or 10%

Minoxidil Spray 5% is the go-to strength for treating male pattern baldness. It’s the one that’s officially licensed and backed by years of research showing it works well and is safe to use long term.

Studies have shown that 5% really does outperform the 2% version. In one trial, people using 5% saw 45% more hair regrowth after 48 weeks compared to those using 2% - and five times more regrowth than the placebo group.

And when it comes to higher strengths, more isn’t always better. A 2021 study actually found that 10% wasn’t more effective than 5% - in fact, 5% led to better increases in hair count, while the 10% group had more side effects. A 2024 study showed something similar: results were about the same between 5% and 10%, but the 10% concentration caused more side effects without offering any extra benefits.

So basically: 5% hits the sweet spot. It works, it’s safe, and going stronger doesn’t give you better results - just more potential side effects.

2. Apply to dry scalp

Minoxidil Spray works best when you apply it to a clean, completely dry scalp.

If your scalp is wet, the minoxidil can get diluted and not as much of the active ingredient will be absorbed by your hair follicles. And once you’ve applied it, try to keep your scalp dry for at least 4 hours so the solution has time to sink in, instead of getting washed away.

In practical terms, that usually means applying minoxidil after you’ve finished exercising or washing your hair, not before.

3. Shedding at the start is normal

We get it: you’re using Minoxidil Spray because you want to stop hair loss.

But here’s something important to know upfront: minoxidil can cause a temporary shedding phase when you first start using it (or when you start again after a break). It can be a bit alarming, but weirdly enough…it’s actually a good sign that the treatment is kicking in.

When you’re dealing with hair loss, more of your hairs end up stuck in the telogen phase - that’s the resting stage where the hair has stopped growing and is basically waiting to fall out. Minoxidil encourages those hairs to move back into the growth (anagen) phase, but before a new hair can grow, the old one needs to shed.

So when you start using minoxidil, all of those hairs that were already due to fall out will shed around the same time. They would have fallen out anyway, minoxidil just speeds up the process so new, healthier hairs can grow in.

Most people notice this extra shedding a few weeks after starting, and it usually lasts for a couple of weeks. It can definitely feel worrying, and it’s easy to think the treatment isn’t working. But stick with it - the shedding phase is temporary and typically clears up within 2–6 weeks.

4. Boost your results

Minoxidil Spray works for many men at stopping hair loss and promoting hair regrowth, but research suggests adding the below steps to your routine could boost your results even further.

Derma rolling (microneedling)

Involves using small needles (0.25-1.5mm) to create tiny punctures in the scalp, which researchers think helps prompt hair regrowth by stimulating the dermal papilla cells (cells at the base of the hair follicle). Using a derma roller alongside minoxidil spray has been shown in multiple clinical trials to be beneficial: men adding a weekly microneedling session alongside twice daily minoxidil 5% spray saw a greater increase in hair count than men using just minoxidil by itself.

Another trial on 4 men who had responded poorly to treatments like minoxidil and finasteride underwent 15 sessions of microneedling and continued with their usual treatments – 3 of them reported a 75% improvement in new hair growth, and one noted a 50% improvement. While this was a small study, the evidence suggests that including a derma roller can be very beneficial.

Red light therapy (low level laser therapy)

An FDA approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia in the US, this therapy involves pointing near-infrared light (wavelengths 650-1200nm) at the scalp, which is thought to stimulate cell activity in the hair follicles. Other theories as to how it might be favourable for hair regrowth is by encouraging hair follicles to re-enter the anagen (growth) phase and promoting regeneration. Multiple clinical trials have shown that LLLT has improved hair count and thickness. Some hair clinics in Ireland offer red light therapy, otherwise you can buy at home devices (just make sure they’re using light in the ‘optimum’ window of wavelength).

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.