Diluting 5% minoxidil

[Samsung]

Hi

I bought 5% minoxidil, but I am worried that it might be too strong, so I am thinking about diluting it. Does anybody have any experience with this?

 

[Shift]

5 %- too strong? Some are using even 15%. Don't worry you are probably be fine.
But if you still want to dilute it use 2% minoxidil and mix it with yours to get about 3.5% solution.

 

[Bryan]

All 2% and 5% solutions of topical minoxidil turn into saturated solutions of about 7.5%, as soon as the volatile components (alcohol and water) evaporate. If your 5% solution is too "strong" and you want to weaken it, just use a lower quantity of it (like maybe half a millilter, instead of a full milliliter).

 

[blaze]

All 2% and 5% solutions of topical minoxidil turn into saturated solutions of about 7.5%, as soon as the volatile components (alcohol and water) evaporate. If your 5% solution is too "strong" and you want to weaken it, just use a lower quantity of it (like maybe half a millilter, instead of a full milliliter).

Bryan how does what you said above work? Does that mean that 5% minoxidil solutions really are 7.5%? Im a little confused.

Also most cant cover the areas that need to be covered with only 0.5ml. With a shaved or bald, yes, but most have hair and its harder to apply small amounts with hair.

 

[Bryan]

Bryan how does what you said above work? Does that mean that 5% minoxidil solutions really are 7.5%? Im a little confused.

Yes. It's obviously not going to take very long for the alcohol and water to evaporate from Rogaine solutions, leaving behind propylene glycol that's saturated with minoxidil. Do you want me to quote what even Upjohn scientists said about that in a study I have about using Rogaine?

 

[knowingyou]

Bryan, I am confused as well, do you mean do you mean 7,5% from 5%?? It sounds very little. Can you post the study from Upjohn please.

 

[Bryan]

Bryan, I am confused as well, do you mean do you mean 7,5% from 5%?? It sounds very little. Can you post the study from Upjohn please.

Yes. It should happen with both 2% and 5% versions of Rogaine.

Give me a while to find that study from Upjohn (I have it, but it's buried deep in my Study Stack), and I'll tell you exactly what they say about that in their own study. I'll do that later this afternoon (Tuesday).

 

[Bryan]

Okay, it took me a while to find it, but here it is! This is from the following study: "Relationship between Contact Time of Applied Dose and Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil from a Topical Solution". Ferry, Shepard, and Szpunar. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 483 Vol. 79, No. 6, June 1990. (Received April 19, 1989, from the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Unit, The Upjohn Company.) This is the first paragraph from the Discussion section near the end:

"The topical solution used in this study consists of a mixture of ethanol:waterropylene glycol in relative proportion (v/v) of 60:20:20. Ethanol and water are extremely volatile relative to propylene glycol and application of this vehicle to the scalp likely results quickly in a solution of minoxidil in propylene glycol approximately equivalent to the solubility maximum of 100 mg/mL. Percutaneous absorption of minoxidil after topical administration presumably occurs by diffusion out of this saturated propylene glycol solution."

 

[longhair1983]

"The topical solution used in this study consists of a mixture of ethanol:waterropylene glycol in relative proportion (v/v) of 60:20:20. Ethanol and water are extremely volatile relative to propylene glycol and application of this vehicle to the scalp likely results quickly in a solution of minoxidil in propylene glycol approximately equivalent to the solubility maximum of 100 mg/mL. "

Does this mean the saturated minoxidil solution in ethanol, water and propylene glycol has 10% minoxidil, instead of 7.5%?

 

[Bryan]

Does this mean the saturated minoxidil solution in ethanol, water and propylene glycol has 10% minoxidil, instead of 7.5%?

I'm assuming you meant to say "Does the mean saturated minoxidil solution in propylene glycol have 10%, instead of 7.5%?" I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the 10% figure they mentioned is more of an error than anything else. I've never seen anywhere else (including chemical reference books) that that's the absolute maximum that will dissolve in propylene glycol. In fact, a few years ago, Dr. Proctor was experimenting to see how much would dissolve in it, and was even giving out small plastic bottles of the stuff to his patients who wanted them. I used to have one of those small minoxidil bottles, clearly labeled "7.5% minoxidil". I think 7.5% is probably the more accurate figure, not 10%.

 

[knowingyou]

Does this mean the saturated minoxidil solution in ethanol, water and propylene glycol has 10% minoxidil, instead of 7.5%?

I'm assuming you meant to say "Does the mean saturated minoxidil solution in propylene glycol have 10%, instead of 7.5%?" I don't know for sure, but I suspect that the 10% figure they mentioned is more of an error than anything else. I've never seen anywhere else (including chemical reference books) that that's the absolute maximum that will dissolve in propylene glycol. In fact, a few years ago, Dr. Proctor was experimenting to see how much would dissolve in it, and was even giving out small plastic bottles of the stuff to his patients who wanted them. I used to have one of those small minoxidil bottles, clearly labeled "7.5% minoxidil". I think 7.5% is probably the more accurate figure, not 10%.

So do you think 7.5% or 10% of minoxidil is more effective than 2 % or 5% minoxidil?

 

[Bryan]

So do you think 7.5% or 10% of minoxidil is more effective than 2 % or 5% minoxidil?

I don't understand your question. Didn't you just see my earlier posts in this thread in which I explained how all versions of 2% and 5% Rogaine are turned into 7.5% (or maybe 10%) minoxidil? :dunno:

 

[knowingyou]

So you meant there is no difference between 2%, 5%.., because it all turned into 7.5% or 10% minoxidil? But there are reports that 5% minoxidil is more effective than 2%! If they all turn into 7,5% or 10% then the result should be the same, how do you explain that? Thanks!!

 

[Bryan]

Both 2% Rogaine and 5% Rogaine are turned into 7.5% minoxidil solutions when they are applied to your scalp, but 1 mL of 5% Rogaine produces a larger final QUANTITY of it than 1 mL of 2% Rogaine. About 2 1/2 times as much. That's why 5% Rogaine works a little better than 2% Rogaine, at the same application volume. Understand?

 

[longhair1983]

Bryan, do you think using 2 ml 5% will have the same effectiveness as 1 ml 10% minoxidil?

 

[knowingyou]

Both 2% Rogaine and 5% Rogaine are turned into 7.5% minoxidil solutions when they are applied to your scalp, but 1 mL of 5% Rogaine produces a larger final QUANTITY of it than 1 mL of 2% Rogaine. About 2 1/2 times as much. That's why 5% Rogaine works a little better than 2% Rogaine, at the same application volume. Understand?

Ok, understand now , thanks Bryan!! I also want to know. like longhair1983, would you think using 2 ml 5% will have the same effectiveness as 1 ml 10% minoxidil? Nioce weekend!!

 

[Bryan]

Bryan, do you think using 2 ml 5% will have the same effectiveness as 1 ml 10% minoxidil?

Are you assuming that the Upjohn scientists were correct about what they said about Rogaine solutions turning into 10% (not 7.5%) solutions, once they're applied to the scalp? Yes I do think it would have similar effectiveness, although this is a fairly hypothetical question/situation that may complicate things in subtle ways!

 

[rwGourmetStyleWellness]

If I add a cream or oil to Rogaine, will it still work?

I can't use it because it dries my hair and scalp beyond recognition.