Minoxidil and Exercise; Does it mean that after this period I can shower or go for a running?

Question

Yesterday I have started using minoxidil, but I am not sure I understood the prescription thoroughly. It says that you shouldn't wash your hair 2 hours after using it. Does it mean that after this period I can shower or go for a running? or I have to wash my hair before any sport activity whatsoever? I am asking this because I put minox in the morning and before sleep, but in the evening/late morning I go to the gym (sweat), thus I'm afraid the substance will drip with the sweat.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If the instruction says you shouldn't wash your hair 2 hours after using Rogaine, then don't wash your hair.  Showering is considered washing your hair, unless you are not wetting your hair.  Exercising or sweating is not considered washing your hair, unless you sweat so profusely it is washing away the medication.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Ideally minoxidil should be left on for 8 hours but the 'minimum' time I advise is 4-6 hours. After 4 hours, 75 % of the minoxidil is absorbed.This advice comes from a 1990 study. In that study, twenty-two healthy male volunteers completed a four-way, multiple-dose, randomized crossover study to determine the relationship between contact time of applied drug on the scalp and minoxidil absorption from a 2% topical solution.  The researchers examined how much minoxidil is absorbed at 1 hr, 4 hr compared to 11.5 hours. Relative to the amount absorbed after a contact time of 11.5 h, absorption was approximately 50% complete by 1 h and greater than 75% complete by 4 h.Conclusion:Although minoxidil should ideally be left on 8 hours, tremendous benefit can still be achieved with 4 hour use. Understanding the absorption of minoxidil is important to help improve the ability of patients to 'stick with' the treatment. ReferenceFerry JJ et al. Relationship between contact time of applied dose and percutaneous absorption of minoxidil from a topical solution. J Pharm Sci 1990 Jun;79(6):483-6.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The point of using minoxidil, is to leave it on our head not wash it off after applying it. I generally tell patients to shower at night and then apply the minoxidil to the scalp, leaving it on all night and then showering in the morning to wash it out.

Minoxidil and Exercise; Does it mean that after this period I can shower or go for a running?

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Minoxidil and Exercise; Does it mean that after this period I can shower or go for a running?

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