Medication questions Minoxidil
How do you apply minoxidil, and how much should you use?
Short answer
For the licensed men's products, apply 1 ml of solution (six sprays of the pump) or half a capful (1 g) of foam to the affected scalp, twice a day, with at least 12 hours between uses and no more than 2 ml or 2 g a day. The scalp and hair must be completely dry, and you wash your hands afterwards. Using more does not grow hair faster and makes side effects more likely.
Key facts
- Licensed men's products and the women's 2% solution: twice a day, at least 12 hours apart. The women's 5% foam: once a day.
- A dose is 1 ml of solution (six pump sprays) or 1 g of foam (half a capful). The daily limit is 2 ml or 2 g, or 1 g for the once-a-day foam.
- Apply only to a completely dry scalp, wash your hands before and after, and do not apply anywhere else on the body.
- For the twice-daily products, one 60 ml bottle or 60 g can lasts about a month at the licensed dose.
- The products are flammable. Keep them away from flames and out of the reach of children.
The amount and timing in the UK leaflets
These come from the patient leaflets and SmPCs for the four licensed Regaine products on eMC.
Men's 5% solution: a 1 ml dose to the total affected area, twice a day. Leave at least 12 hours between each use, do not exceed 2 ml in a day and do not use it more than twice a day.
Men's 5% foam: 1 g (the volume of half a capful) to the total affected area, twice a day, with at least 12 hours between uses and no more than 2 g a day.
Women's 2% solution: 1 ml, twice a day, with the same 12 hour gap and 2 ml limit.
Women's 5% once-a-day foam: 1 g (half a capful) once a day, not more than 1 g a day.
The leaflets say that exceeding the dose "will NOT" regrow hair any more quickly and gives an increased likelihood of side effects. If your minoxidil was prescribed, follow the label your prescriber and pharmacist gave you. Our prescribed solutions are compounded unlicensed specials without a leaflet of their own, so the licensed leaflets are the closest official guidance and your label comes first.
Applying the solution
The solution comes with a pump spray applicator and an extended spray-tip applicator, each designed to release 1 ml when used as described.
Pump spray, for large areas: aim at the centre of the bald area, press the pump once and spread the liquid with your fingertips over the whole affected area. Repeat a further five times. Six sprays deliver the 1 ml dose.
Extended spray-tip, for small areas or under hair: it only works with the pump spray in place. Aim at the centre of the area, press once, spread with your fingertips and repeat for six sprays in total.
Massage the solution lightly into the scalp, avoid breathing in the spray mist, and wash your hands and any skin that touched the solution afterwards. A 60 ml bottle should last about 30 days at two 1 ml doses a day.
Applying the foam
Hold the can upside down and press the nozzle to put the foam on your fingers. The amount should not exceed 1 g, equivalent to half a capful. The foam may begin to melt on warm skin; if your fingers are warm, rinse them in cold water first and dry them thoroughly before handling the foam.
Massage it lightly into the affected areas of the scalp. For the women's once-a-day foam, the leaflet advises parting the hair in several places so the foam goes onto the scalp, not the hair, and the SmPC says to massage it in from back to front. It also advises allowing enough drying time before going to bed.
Timing, washing and styling
Dry scalp. Apply only when your hair and scalp are completely dry. A hairdryer is fine for drying your hair, but not for drying the product itself.
Shampoo. You do not need to shampoo before applying. The leaflets for the solutions say that if you do, wait about one hour afterwards so the scalp is thoroughly dry.
Styling and sun. Apply to a dry scalp before gels or sprays. The leaflets say a sun-blocking agent should not be used, and to wear headwear in the sun instead. You can dye your hair, swim (as long as the hair is dry when you apply) and use a hairdryer, but never apply more than twice a day.
A routine. Many people anchor the two doses to morning and evening, keeping about 12 hours apart.
Safety points on handling
Only the scalp. Do not apply to other areas. If you get it on other skin, rinse with plenty of water. Minoxidil that spreads to the face can cause unwanted hair growth there.
Eyes and broken skin. The ethanol in the products can burn damaged skin and irritate the eyes; bathe the area with large amounts of cool tap water.
Flammable. The solution is a flammable liquid, and the foam is an extremely flammable aerosol. Keep both away from heat, sparks and naked flames, and do not smoke while applying.
Children. Accidental swallowing can cause serious heart problems, so keep the product out of reach and take a child who has swallowed any to hospital immediately. Infants who touched a caregiver's treated scalp have developed extra hair, which settled within months of stopping exposure.
When to stop. Stop and speak to a doctor if you notice chest pain, a fast heartbeat, faintness, dizziness, swollen hands or feet, sudden weight gain or persistent scalp redness or irritation. See topical minoxidil and scalp irritation for itching and flaking.
If you miss an application
The leaflets say that if you miss one or two applications, carry on as normal, as if you had not missed the dose, and do not use twice as much or twice as often. For longer gaps, see stopping topical minoxidil. Expect to use minoxidil for months before judging it; timescales are in how long minoxidil takes to work, and some people shed more early on (see minoxidil shedding).
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Start your free assessment →Related questions
How many ml of minoxidil should I use?
For the licensed solutions, 1 ml per application, which is six sprays of the pump, twice a day, and no more than 2 ml in a day. The foam is measured in grams: 1 g, or half a capful, per application.
Should I apply minoxidil to wet or dry hair?
Dry. The leaflets say your hair and scalp must be completely dry. For the solutions, they suggest waiting about an hour after shampooing.
Do I apply minoxidil to the hair or the scalp?
The scalp, in the area that is thinning. The women's foam leaflet explains parting the hair so the product reaches the scalp rather than the hair.
Can I use more minoxidil to speed things up?
No. The leaflets say a larger dose will not regrow hair faster and makes side effects more likely, because more minoxidil can reach the bloodstream.
How long before I can wash my hair after applying minoxidil?
The Regaine leaflets we checked do not give a waiting time. If your minoxidil was prescribed, follow the instructions on your label or ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
Can I use minoxidil once a day instead of twice?
Only the women's 5% foam is licensed once a day. See can I use minoxidil once a day.
Sources
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5%: summary of product characteristics (eMC, revised 17 December 2024)
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5%: patient leaflet (eMC, revised September 2025)
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5%: summary of product characteristics (eMC, revised 15 June 2026)
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5%: patient leaflet (eMC, revised March 2026)
- Regaine for Women Regular Strength 2% solution: summary of product characteristics (eMC, revised 17 December 2024)
- Regaine for Women Regular Strength 2% solution: patient leaflet (eMC, revised September 2025)
- Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5%: summary of product characteristics (eMC, revised 12 May 2026)
- Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5%: patient leaflet (eMC, revised March 2026)
Facts checked against these sources on 22 October 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Read our editorial policy.