Today, we’ll take a closer look at compounded minoxidil, breaking down some common queries about how it works and what to realistically expect from using it. Although minoxidil is readily available as a commercial product on pharmacy shelves, it’s also one of our most common compounding requests here at the pharmacy. Due to the nature of minoxidil as a long-term treatment, patients often benefit from a higher level of personalisation. When a medication is well-calibrated to your specific needs and lifestyle, it becomes much easier to take consistently and over a long period of time. As you can imagine, long-term consistency is one of the main factors associated with positive treatment outcomes.
This isn’t to say that your standard minoxidil products are ineffective or unsafe to use. However, depending on your personal attributes, you may find greater success with the customised approach. If that’s something you are considering, this information should help you understand the advantages of compounding, and how it might improve your long-term results.
Can Minoxidil Be Compounded?
Yes, minoxidil can absolutely be compounded and is one of our more popular requests. This is because compounding pharmacies can prepare minoxidil in strengths, bases, and delivery forms that are otherwise unavailable commercially.
Some of the situations that lead patients toward customisation include:
- Sensitivity to standard solutions. When people react to their hair treatment, it is often due to propylene glycol, a common ingredient in liquid minoxidil. A compounded version can be made without it, using a gentler base.
- Unusual dosage requirements. While 2% and 5% are the standard strengths that suit many people, it doesn’t leave much room for adjusting. Some patients may benefit from lower or higher concentrations that better balance results with tolerability, and compounding is the way to do that precisely and safely.
- Combination therapy. Minoxidil can be compounded alongside other active ingredients, such as finasteride, retinoic acid, or corticosteroids. Different active ingredients excel at different things, so combining them appropriately can create a more comprehensive hair loss treatment.
- Alternative delivery methods. Beyond the usual foam or liquid, compounded minoxidil can be prepared other ways. Even oral formulations can be compounded if you have a prescription.
What’s the Most Effective Form of Minoxidil?
There is no universal answer to this question, even among commercial products. The form of minoxidil you use absolutely matters, but the best option will ultimately vary from person to person. Everything from medical history, sensitivities and personal preferences will guide you to the most effective option for your own needs.
- Topical liquid is a tried-and-true format and is still widely used. Despite its effectiveness, some patients find it to be irritating in regular form. It can also look and feel greasy, which bothers some people more than others. On the bright side, it is generally considered one of the easiest forms to apply to the scalp.
- Foam is popular because it dries quickly, feels less greasy, and avoids propylene glycol. Many patients find it easier to stick with foam long term because it is well-tolerated and doesn’t have the greasy look of liquid minoxidil.
- Oral minoxidil has gained attention in recent years. Prescribed at low doses, it offers an alternative for those who don’t respond well to topical application. On the other hand, it needs to be prescribed and monitored due to the potential for systemic side effects. In our experience, oral minoxidil can be a great option for specific people, but it’s not an option that makes sense for everyone.
Ultimately, with any medication, the most “effective” comes down to what you can tolerate and stick with. If irritation, greasiness, or inconvenience stops you from using minoxidil consistently, then it is not the best option for you. However, by considering different forms or compounding to make specific personalised adjustments, many hair loss patients find a good balance of effectiveness, and tolerability.
What Is the Closest Natural Thing to Minoxidil?
There isn’t really a direct natural substitute that mirrors how minoxidil works. Minoxidil is unique in how it increases scalp blood flow and prolongs the growth phase of hair follicles.
That said, there are natural or plant-derived ingredients that may provide benefits for scalp and follicle health. While we believe patients should be realistic about the results of these options, they can be part of a broader strategy. In particular, we like the idea of combining these ingredients with more clinically-proven ingredients like minoxidil, within a compounded formulation.
Some of these ingredients include:
- Caffeine has shown potential to counteract DHT effects locally and support hair shaft growth.
- Saw palmetto is sometimes used as a natural DHT-blocker, though evidence is mixed and it’s not as potent as clinical options like finasteride.
- Rosemary oil has been studied with some promising results.
Can Minoxidil Regrow Hair Permanently?
Unfortunately, no. Minoxidil does not create permanent regrowth, and while it supports and stimulates follicles when it’s being used, stopping treatment will eventually cause all its effects to disappear.
This is why minoxidil is described as a maintenance treatment, not a cure. For those who stick with it, the results can be long-lasting, but they are not permanent once the medication is discontinued. It’s also likely that your results will plateau after a peak of visible regrowth. Don’t be concerned about this, as it just means you’ve probably reached the limit of your potential regrowth. Maintaining a minoxidil treatment plan after this plateau still helps to keep what you’ve gained and slow down any further loss.
Do I Really Have to Use Minoxidil Forever?
This is a decision you have to make for yourself. But if minoxidil works for you, you’ll only maintain results if you commit to ongoing treatment. Consistency will help protect the gains you’ve made, while also fighting against impending hair loss.
We’ve mentioned it repeatedly but it remains true. If you want your treatment plan to feel sustainable over a long period of time, it needs to be appropriately calibrated for your body and lifestyle. If you have issues with irritation or the feel of minoxidil on your head, let a compounding pharmacist tailor the strength, form and ingredients of your routine. Any frustration with your formulation does add up over time, and naturally makes it difficult to commit long-term. It’s not worth putting up with these challenges when other options are readily available and effective.
Contact Us Today
Compounded minoxidil isn’t some magical solution that will fix all your hair loss woes. The main thing compounding offers that commercial products don’t is: flexibility. In a nutshell, it’s about giving people a better chance at finding a treatment they can stick with long term. And for minoxidil, an ingredient intended to be used over a large period of time, the importance of this cannot be overstated.
If off-the-shelf minoxidil isn’t working for you, don’t put up with it. Annoying irritation, issues with greasiness, or just middling results is a good indicator that you need to widen your search. A compounding pharmacy can work with your doctor to create a formula designed for your situation.
Our Zenith Pharmacy team has a lot of experience preparing compounded minoxidil for a variety of patients. So, if you are exploring bespoke treatment options, we are more than happy to help you understand your options and the best path forward.
Written By
Zen Xiao
