Will I Grow Hair on My Forehead? Myths and Truths About Minoxidil

Minoxidil is one of the most studied and used treatments for hair loss. Originally developed as a medication for hypertension, its side effect of stimulating hair growth led to its approval to treat androgenetic alopecia. However, its use has generated numerous doubts and myths, including the belief that it can grow hair anywhere it is applied, including the forehead. Is this true? Let's take a closer look.

Does Minoxidil Grow Hair on the Forehead?

The short answer is no, but with nuances.

Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase of the hair cycle and increasing the size of hair follicles in people with a predisposition to androgenetic alopecia. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Olsen et al., 2002) showed that 5% minoxidil significantly prolongs the hair growth phase, supporting its mechanism of action in the treatment of alopecia. However, this effect only occurs in areas where viable hair follicles already exist. The forehead, except in particular cases, does not have a sufficient density of hair follicles for minoxidil to stimulate hair growth. Studies such as that of Suchonwanit et al. (2019), published in Dermatologic Therapy, have shown that the effectiveness of minoxidil is limited to areas with viable hair follicles, which explains its ineffectiveness on the forehead, where follicular density is naturally lower. Clinical studies have shown that its effectiveness is mainly limited to the scalp, especially the crown and, to a lesser extent, the frontal hairline.

Clinical studies have shown that its effectiveness is limited primarily to the scalp, especially the crown and, to a lesser extent, the frontal hairline. The FDA has approved its use for androgenetic alopecia on the top of the scalp, but not for other areas of the body. According to the FDA, topical minoxidil is indicated only for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and its use outside of the approved areas has not been sufficiently studied in terms of efficacy and safety.

Why do some people report hair growth on their forehead?

Some people who use minoxidil have noticed fine hair or lanugo growth on their forehead or in areas near the hairline. This is due to two main reasons:

Product spread: Minoxidil, when applied in liquid or foam form, can accidentally spread to the skin surrounding the application area. If this skin contains dormant hair follicles, minoxidil may stimulate mild hair growth in those areas. This phenomenon has been documented in cases of localized hypertrichosis, where unwanted hair appears in areas adjacent to the application site due to diffusion of the product.

Hypersensitivity to the drug: Although systemic absorption of topical minoxidil is minimal, cases of generalized hypertrichosis have been reported in patients using topical minoxidil, suggesting a possible hypersensitivity of the hair follicles to the drug. A study published in Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas describes cases of hypertrichosis in areas remote from the application site, even without elevated blood levels of minoxidil, suggesting an idiosyncratic response or hypersensitivity of the follicles to the product.

Additionally, cases of hypertrichosis have been reported in infants due to accidental contact with topical minoxidil used by their caregivers, highlighting the drug's ability to induce hair growth in susceptible individuals, even with minimal exposures. These studies and clinical reports support the observations that both product diffusion and hypersensitivity to minoxidil can lead to unwanted hair growth in unintended areas.

NOTE: It is important to note that this hair is usually fine and temporary. If use of the medication is discontinued, it disappears within a few weeks or months as there is no strong follicular structure to support it.

Can Minoxidil regenerate hair in completely bald areas?

No. Minoxidil is not able to create new hair follicles where none exist.

Its action is limited to revitalizing weakened or miniaturized follicles in people with androgenetic alopecia. In areas of advanced baldness where the follicles have completely disappeared, minoxidil will have no effect.

The use of minoxidil outside of the FDA-approved areas is not recommended. Applying it to the forehead can cause adverse effects such as irritation, redness, peeling, and dryness of the skin. In addition, contact with the eyes can cause severe irritation.

Its use should be strictly limited to the scalp and follow medical instructions.

Minoxidil Side Effects: What the Studies Say

Hypertrichosis One of the most common side effects of minoxidil is hypertrichosis, which is excessive hair growth in unwanted areas. A multicenter study coordinated by the Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS) included more than 1,400 patients treated with low-dose oral minoxidil. The results showed that 15.1% of patients experienced hypertrichosis. Although this effect was generally well tolerated, it led to treatment withdrawal in 14 patients (0.5%).

Systemic Effects Although rare, systemic adverse effects associated with minoxidil have been documented, especially when used in oral formulations or at high doses. Cases of dizziness and fainting have been reported in patients using oral minoxidil. In the study mentioned above, 1.7% of patients experienced dizziness.

Topical use of minoxidil may cause irritation to the scalp, manifesting as itching, redness, or dryness. These symptoms are usually related to the vehicle components of the product, such as alcohol, rather than the minoxidil itself.

Community Anecdotes:

A post discusses a 24-year-old who noticed under-eye wrinkles after using Minoxidil and wondered if it was a possible side effect. Several users chimed in with their experiences, and while some had similar concerns, others pointed out that there’s no solid scientific evidence directly linking Minoxidil to premature aging or wrinkles. However, Minoxidil is known to cause increased blood flow and can lead to mild skin irritation, dryness, or even a slight loss of skin elasticity in some cases, which might contribute to a more wrinkled appearance in sensitive areas.

A few users suggested that Minoxidil’s alcohol content (in the liquid version) could be drying out the skin, making fine lines more noticeable. Others mentioned that increased facial hair growth from Minoxidil could also give a different texture to the skin, affecting how wrinkles appear. One common recommendation was switching from the liquid version to the foam, which has less alcohol and is generally gentler on the skin. Some users also advised applying a moisturizer or hyaluronic acid around the eyes to combat any dryness or irritation caused by Minoxidil.

Another point brought up in the discussion was that some users may be experiencing a mild loss of fat in the face, which has been speculated as a rare side effect of Minoxidil. While there isn’t conclusive evidence, a few people in the hair loss community have reported noticing subtle changes in facial fullness after long-term use. If this is a concern, some users suggested stopping Minoxidil for a few weeks to see if any changes reverse, though this carries the risk of shedding and losing hair progress.

For those worried about skin aging, the best approach seems to be maintaining good skin hydration, using sunscreen, and possibly reducing the frequency of Minoxidil application if irritation occurs. Some also suggested microneedling as an alternative to Minoxidil, as it promotes hair regrowth without systemic absorption.

Conclusion: Minoxidil on the forehead? It is not the solution

Minoxidil is an effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia, but its action is limited to areas where viable hair follicles exist. It is not capable of generating hair on the forehead or in completely bald areas. Its application must be strictly followed according to medical indications and official regulations to avoid adverse effects. If you are looking to recover hair in areas where it no longer grows, it is better to explore other options such as hair transplantation or advanced therapies under dermatological supervision.

Sources

Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. (2019). Minoxidil technical data sheet. https://cima.aemps.es/cima/pdfs/es/ft/66680/FichaTecnica_66680.html.pdf

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Topical minoxidil. https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/druginfo/meds/a689003-es.html

Suchonwanit, P., Thammarucha, S., & Leerunyakul, K. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: A review. Dermatologic Therapy, 32(2), e12856. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.12856

Unidad Médica Serrano. (n.d.). How and where does minoxidil act for hair loss? https://unidadmedicaserrano.com/alopecias/minoxidil-medicamento-crecimiento-caida-pelo/

Reddit user. (2020, December 27). Wrinkly under eyes at 24—Possible Minoxidil side effect? r/tressless. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/knclh4/wrinkly_under_eyes_at_24_possible_minoxidil_side/?rdt=54496

Tressless. (n.d.). Minoxidil side effects. Tressless.com. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://tressless.com/search/minoxidil%20side%20effects

Rossi, A., Mari, E., Scarno, M., Garelli, V., Maxia, C., Scali, E., & Fortuna, M. C. (2018). Minoxidil use in dermatology, side effects, and recent patents. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 12(1), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.2174/1872213X12666180504123029

Blume-Peytavi, U., Hillmann, K., Dietz, E., & Canfield, D. (2011). A randomized, single-blind trial of 5% and 10% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 65(6), 1126-1134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2011.04.019