Apply Minoxidil: this is how you do it properly in 6 steps (wet or dry hair, how much and for how long let it soak in)

Apply Minoxidil to a completely dry scalp: with lotion 1 ml at a time, with foam half a capful (about 1 gram), directly on the spot where your hair is thinning. Men do this twice a day, with about 12 hours in between. You distribute it with your fingertips, then wash your hands and let the product absorb before going to sleep, styling or washing your hair. Using more or applying more often does not give better results, but there is a greater risk of side effects.^[1][2] Below you can read how it works per step, how long it should be absorbed and which mistakes you should avoid.

In this article

• How do you apply minoxidil in 6 steps?
• How much minoxidil do you use at a time?
• May minoxidil on wet hair?
• How long should minoxidil be left on before washing your hair?
• What does a day with minoxidil look like?
• What mistakes do people make most often?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

How to apply minoxidil in 6 steps?

The instructions for lotion and foam are the same. This is how you go about it:

1. Make sure your hair and scalp are completely dry. Apotheek.nl and the package leaflets mention this explicitly.^[3][1]
2. Take the right amount. Lotion: 1 ml with the pipette or pump. Foam: half a capful, about 1 gram.
3. Start in the center of the thin spot. If necessary, part your hair with a comb so that the product reaches the skin and does not remain in your hair.^[1]
4. Distribute it with your fingertips over the rest of the area, with or without a light massage.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly. This will prevent hair growth in places you don't want it, such as your face.^[2]
6. Let it dry before going to sleep, putting on a hat or styling products used.

Lotion with pipette

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% 1 Month For Men

With the pipette you dose exactly 1 ml and you can easily get through the hair to the scalp.

€29,99View the lotion →

How much minoxidil do you use per day? times?

The dose depends on the form and who uses it. Important: the dose is the same, regardless of how large the thin spot is.^[1] If you want to know which form suits you better, also read minoxidil foam or lotion: 5 differences.

Sources table: SPC Minoxidil Linn 20 mg/ml and SPC Minoxidil Bipharma 50 mg/g foam.^[1][2]

Dries quickly

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% 1 Month For Men

Handy if you have little time in the morning: the foam does not spread and feels less sticky.

€34,99View the foam →

Is minoxidil allowed on wet hair?

No. According to Apotheek.nl and the package leaflets, your hair and scalp must be completely dry before you apply minoxidil.^[3][1] On wet hair, the product is diluted and it drains more easily from the place where it should be. If you have just come out of the shower, first dry your hair with a towel and possibly a hairdryer, and then apply it.

Do you also use other products on your scalp? Do not apply minoxidil to an irritated, inflamed or painful scalp, and do not combine it with other scalp products without consulting your pharmacist.^[2]

How long should minoxidil be left on before you wash your hair?

The Dutch package leaflets do not mention a fixed waiting period. There is research into how quickly minoxidil is absorbed. In a 1990 study of 22 men with a 2% solution, approximately half was absorbed after 1 hour and more than 75% after 4 hours, compared to a contact time of 11.5 hours.^[4][5] Hair dermatologist Jeff Donovan therefore recommends at least 4 hours, and preferably 8 hours or more.^[5]

Practically, this means: apply your evening dose when your hair is dry and leave it overnight. If you go swimming or exercise, a shorter contact time is also better than skipping the dose.^[6]

What does a day with minoxidil look like?

With a fixed rhythm, you forget fewer doses and the product has enough time to be absorbed. An example for men who apply twice a day:

Women who use 5% foam, apply once a day. The evening is often the most convenient, because the product can take effect for the longest time.

1 time per day

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% For Women

Half a cap per day on the parting or crown; one bottle lasts about 2 months with daily use.

From €39.99View the foam →

What mistakes do people make most often?

• Apply more in the hope of faster results. More than the recommended dose does not work better and increases the risk of side effects such as itching, dandruff or unwanted hair growth.^[2][7]
• Apply to wet hair. The product dilutes and is less effective on the scalp.
• Rub it into your hair instead of on the skin. Minoxidil should end up on the scalp itself.
• Skip doses or stop after a month. It often takes 4 months or more before you see an effect, and it only works as long as you keep using it.^[3] See also the timeline of minoxidil results.
• Make up for a forgotten dose twice. That's what the package leaflet recommends af.^[7]
• Forgetting to wash your hands. This could cause the product to end up on your face or on others.

Also pay attention to safety. Minoxidil is not intended for people under the age of 18 and is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you have a heart condition, heart rhythm disorders or high or low blood pressure, do not use it without consulting your doctor. Stop and contact your doctor if you experience chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, sudden weight gain, or swollen hands or feet.^[2][7] Read more about this in minoxidil side effects: which ones occur. If you lose hair suddenly or in spots, or after giving birth, first have your doctor check the cause.

Frequently asked questions

Should I apply minoxidil in the morning or in the evening?

Men apply it at both times, with about 12 hours in between. If you use it once a day, the evening is practical because that is when the product stays on the scalp the longest. Let it dry before you go to sleep.

Can I wash out minoxidil after 1 hour?

After 1 hour, according to research, approximately half of it has been absorbed. That's better than nothing, but leaving it on for at least 4 hours is recommended, and overnight is even better.

Can I use gel or wax with minoxidil?

Yes, but only once the minoxidil has completely dried. Always apply minoxidil to the clean, dry scalp first and then use your styling product.

What if I forget a day?

Administer the dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next one. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Set a reminder on your phone if you often forget.

How long does one bottle last?

A 60 ml bottle of lotion lasts about 1 month if 1 ml is used twice a day. A can of foam for men also lasts about 1 month; women who use foam once a day will last about 2 months.

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of October 2026.

Sources

1. Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Base: Summary of Product Characteristics Minoxidil Linn 20 mg/ml, solution for cutaneous use
2. Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Base: Summary of product characteristics Minoxidil Bipharma 50 mg/g, foam for cutaneous use
3. Apotheek.nl (KNMP): Summary of minoxidil on the skin (June 2025)
4. Ferry JJ et al. (1990), PubMed: Relationship between contact time of applied dose and percutaneous absorption of minoxidil from a topical solution (English)
5. Dr. Jeff Donovan, Donovan Hair Clinic: How long should minoxidil be left on the scalp? (English)
6. Dr. Jeff Donovan, Donovan Hair Clinic: Should I bother applying minoxidil if I am going swimming in a few hours? (English)
7. Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank: Package leaflet Minoxidil Teva 50 mg/ml, cutaneous solution use