A new study has found that people taking oral minoxidil in the morning saw better results than those taking it at night.
Scientists proposed taking oral minoxidil in the morning could potentially make it more effective. Hair follicles have their own circadian rhythm, with more cell division happening in the morning. On the flip side, they also hypothesized that it could be more effective to take it in the evening, as oral minoxidil has an anti-inflammatory effect, and inflammatory activity also follows a daily rhythm. So, they put it the theory to the test in a study.
We’re going to cover the findings of the study, and what it might mean for when you should take oral minoxidil for treating hair loss.
Key Findings of the study
Researchers reviewed data from 329 patients to compare two groups taking oral minoxidil in the morning and evening. They found that the patients taking it in the morning experienced a greater change in hair density than the group taking it at night. The daytime group saw a mean increase in hair count of +24.4 hairs/cm2, compared to the nighttime group who saw +16.5 hairs/cm2.
They found no difference in changes in hair thickness between the two groups though, as the increases were similar in both groups.
Why might morning dosing work better?
Researchers aren’t 100% sure, but research suggests that hair follicles have their own circadian rhythm, with increased keratinocyte proliferation (meaning division of the cells which form hair) in the morning. Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour cycle, linked to sunlight, which influences when we wake up, sleep and general energy levels. Research shows that our hair follicles are on a similar timeline, with more cell division happening in the morning, meaning hair actually grows faster in the morning than at night.
So, the theory is that the benefits of minoxidil, including improved blood flow to follicles and more delivery of vital nutrients needed for growth, have a greater effect when the follicles are in a more active state.
That said, this is a theory which has not been proven. Although the study shows that morning dosing may lead to better outcomes, there’s a couple things to keep in mind.
Firstly, taking the oral minoxidil in the evening was still effective. In both groups, hair growth and density improved, regardless of the time of day they took the medication. The study suggests taking it in the morning may provide added benefit, but not that taking it at night doesn’t work.
Secondly, the study had a few limitations. For one, the study was retrospective, meaning researchers looked back at existing data rather than investigating in an controlled environment. This means they couldn’t confirm certain factors, such as that patients took the medication exactly as prescribed or the exact timing they took it. Factors like this can impact the outcome of a study, so a controlled, randomized trial is needed to confirm the results of this study.
Should you take oral minoxidil in the morning?
Not necessarily. While the results are promising, this isn't enough evidence to prove that morning dosing is always superior. Consistency is likely more important than the exact time you take your medication. More research is needed before treatment guidelines change.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
