Brought to you in partnership with Good Guy Wellness…
I’ve talked before about how I’ve gotten a little bit thinner up top over the past decade or so. While it first discouraged me seeing a bunch of hair at the bottom of my shower, I finally figured out that it doesn’t have to be that way. After doing some research and talking to a physician, I figured I’d show my hair who’s boss by getting myself some Good Guy Wellness products to help combat any hair loss. Best thing? It’s worked.
After using the products — which includes formulated shampoo and conditioner, delicious gummies to promote healthy hair growth, and 5% minoxidil to use on the back of my head — I’ve seen that growth and fuller hair. It’s been a saving grace, because I just wasn’t quite ready to “come home” yet and shave it all off.
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While the family of Good Guy Wellness products have helped me, it did come with some questions at first. Like anything someone puts in their body, I wanted to know what side effects I could experience, both short- and long-term. After digging around and getting some answers, I found out all about minoxidil — which is why I figured I’d relay that info onto my balding brethren; so here’s what you should know about minoxidil.
1. What Is Minoxidil?
Before getting into the juicier stuff, here’s a quick history lesson on minoxidil. After first being approved by the FDA in 1979 to treat high blood pressure, on accident, physicians noticed patients using the medication were regrowing lots of hair. In 1988, the FDA approved minoxidil for topical hair loss.
2. How Does Minoxidil Work?
How minoxidil works is actually a bit of a mystery. Since it’s a medication that dilates blood vessels, the theory is that dilated blood vessels possibly carry more nutrients to hair follicles, which stimulate dying or dead hair follicles to return to growth.
3. When Should You Start Using Minoxidil?
As soon as you notice any hair loss. This might seem obvious, but, personally speaking, I only started using Good Guy Wellness products after I had already started to lose hair, so, while I still have a healthy head of hair, it’s not as full as it once was. Had I started using minoxidil two years ago, it would have maintained and regrown hair with what I already had left then, so I sort of jumped on the boat a little later than I should have. So it’s important to start using the product before it’s too late, because it won’t produce the results if you’re already looking like Jason Statham up top, bros.
4. You May Lose A Little Hair Before Starting To Regrow It
Yep, you read that right, fellas. Before you start getting fuller hair, minoxidil wants to make sure it kills off all those old hairs first. This means that, when first using minoxidil, it may feel like you’re losing more hair as follicles go through a growth process. Don’t worry, though, it’s part of the process, and will grow back healthier and more full.
5. What Side Effects Should I Expect When Using Minoxidil?
Like most medications, minoxidil does have some side effects, but they aren’t all that common (or serious). But because I’m here to calm any doubts about using the product, here’s what you might experience once regularly using minoxidil.
- Chest pain or palpitations
- Dizziness or fainting
- Skin rash, blisters, or itching
- Sudden weight gain
- Swelling of the hands or feet
- Headache
- Redness, irritation and itching at the site of application
While none of those are too serious, if you experience things like chest pain or heart palpitations, dizziness or fainting, make sure you go see a doctor.
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6. When Can You Expect Hair To Regrow After Starting To Use Minoxidil?
OK, so you’ve got a new minoxidil prescription and you’re ready to grow back a luscious mane. Well, it doesn’t exactly work like that. As I mentioned above, you may first experience some hair loss to kill off dead follicles before seeing positive results. To get there, it may take 3 to 4 months of regular minoxidil use before you start noticing regrowth of hair. If you don’t see new hair growth after 4 months, consult a physician and stop using the product.
7. Minoxidil Only Works When You Use It As Directed
Get ready to enter the biggest commitment you’ve ever had, guys, because once you start using minoxidil, you’re going to have to do it again… and again… and, well, forever. Think of it as part of your daily routine now. Like taking a vitamin each morning, applying a few drops of minoxidil on top of your scalp will help regrow hair and keep it healthy. Once you stop using it, you’ll start losing hair again.
8. Keep Minoxidil Away From Your Eyes, Nose And Other Sensitive Areas
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but, hey, I want to make sure I’m doing my due diligence here. Minoxidil is for your scalp, so don’t ingest it through your mouth, nose, eyes or any other sensitive areas. If you accidentally make contact with those spots, quickly rinse with cool water. And remember to wash your hands after each use.
Finally, make sure you do not use the product if your scalp is red, flaked or sunburned. This is important to remember as the summer months are here.
9. Is It Safe To Use Minoxidil And General Hair Products?
For those guys who still have enough hair up top to use gels, sprays, pomades and other hair products, you’re totally OK to still use these while using minoxidil. It’s safe and won’t cause some weird reaction with the product — which generally dries and is absorbed into the scalp after a few minutes of applying. So don’t worry about any side effects that might occur by having both on your scalp at the same time.
10. Minoxidil Isn’t Meant To Be Used On Your Face
For those guys who think that using a hair regrowth product on your face can help you grow a beard like Chris Stapleton, think again. That’s because, while it’s FDA approved for your scalp, it’s not for your face — meaning you shouldn’t used it there to grow some whiskers, so keep it up top.
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The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.