Do you need to wash your hair every day with Regaine?

Anyone who has used Regaine for hair growth will be familiar with its pros and cons. We can all appreciate the benefits of stopping and reversing hair loss, as Regaine does, but regular users also report some common issues. A buildup of the product can cause dry or greasy hair, and the need to wash it out daily can be draining. So, how do we deal with those concerns while still getting the benefits from Regaine?

In this article, we will examine ways of dealing with hair loss using products like Regaine.

We will also answer some questions that users may have about changes you can make to manage hair loss from androgenic alopecia, including your hair-washing regime and alternatives such as oral treatments.

Do you need to wash your hair every day with Regaine?

In a word, no. You don’t need to wash your hair every day if you are using Regaine.

However, one-word answers are often unhelpful. You don’t need to wash your hair every day, but daily washing will prevent a buildup of previous Regaine applications on the scalp and hair. If buildup occurs, you might end up with issues like scalp dryness, irritation or reduced absorption of future applications.

If you are using Regaine, especially twice daily, it is probably a good idea to wash your hair every day or every other day to avoid buildup.

For the effectiveness of the treatment, it is the best way to ensure that you are getting the most from Regaine(1).

It may not be the most convenient thing, and daily washing might not be great for your hair in other ways, but if you want to make the treatment worthwhile, we do recommend daily washing to avoid any itchy scalp from minoxidil residue.

What happens if you don’t wash out Regaine?

If you don’t regularly wash out Regaine, you will start to notice product buildup.

This is where the liquid or foam sticks to the hair shafts and the scalp, getting thicker with each application. This can cause your hair or scalp to feel sticky, crispy, dry or greasy.

Not washing the product off can have an even more concerning effect on the effectiveness of the treatment.

In order to work well, a product like Regaine needs to be absorbed into the scalp, where it fights the effects of hair loss. If a layer of product covers the scalp, then further applications will be less effective because the Regaine will just lie on top of a dried-out residue and not be absorbed.

What is buildup?

Buildup happens when you use a treatment on your scalp regularly without washing it off in between applications so each new dose is being applied on top of the dried previous dose.

You do need to leave the product on for some time. It’s recommended that you let it sink in for at least 12 hours. After that, what is left behind is the residue of the product, which has no beneficial qualities. Instead, this residue sticks to your hair and scalp and, if left to build up, could cause issues like Regaine dandruff, flakiness, or greasiness.

Regaine alternatives

Regaine is very effective as a product but it can have its drawbacks. You can leave it on the scalp and hair and risk dryness or irritation, or you can wash it out daily but have to deal with the inconvenience of planning your day around applications and washes.

Here we list the alternatives to Regaine to help you decide whether another option might suit you better.

Topical treatments

Other topical treatments for hair loss include topical Minoxidil Scalp Solution, which is applied as a spray rather than a liquid or foam like Regaine.

Because the Minoxidil is delivered in a small volume of product (just 10 sprays), it doesn’t cause the same level of buildup as you might find with Regaine for men or for women. Some users find there is less irritation and dryness with this spray-on treatment and it can be faster to apply.

Oral treatments

A newer alternative to both Regaine and topical Minoxidil is prescription-only oral Minoxidil tablets. This allows male users to take 1 tablet per day as part of their daily routine without the hassle of applying and washing off a liquid or foam.

The medication is taken once a day for 24-hour minoxidil absorption, which controls (and can reverse) hair loss.

These tablets can be a more convenient way to use minoxidil. They reduce the chance of potentially missing patches on the scalp and getting uneven effects and avoid the need to wash hair quite so often. Minoxidil tablets are also 30% more effective at stopping and reversing hair loss than liquid or foam(2).

As with all medicines, oral minoxidil for hair can cause potential side effects, including dizziness, fluid retention, and increased heart rate.

However, in a study of 400+ men, only 0.5% had to stop treatment due to a side effect.(3)

The medication is prescribed in small doses to minimise these potential side effects, but you should consult with a medical professional before taking it and monitor for any side effects once you have started the dose.

When you order with Oxford Online Pharmacy, we thoroughly check whether Oral Minoxidil is suitable for you with your first order and every re-order.

Other alternative treatments for male hair loss include Finasteride and Dutasteride.

Is it okay to switch from liquid to foam Minoxidil?

Yes, absolutely, or from the foam to the liquid or the spray. Just never use more than one minoxidil product at a time.

Regaine Solution is applied with a dropper, which can make it difficult to get a proper, even distribution of the product. Some areas will get more than others, which could lead to uneven treatment results.

The liquid also contains a chemical called propylene glycol, which enhances absorption but has the potential to increase skin irritation.

The Regaine Foam dries quicker and was developed without propylene glycol, which means it may cause less irritation. After using minoxidil foam, some people report that their hair is less dry or greasy and more manageable than when they used the solution.

Is using Minoxidil foam once a day enough?

You should use Minoxidil foam according to the instructions on the product label. For men, the application is twice a day, and for women, it is only once daily.

If the product works well enough with a single application, you may choose to use it less frequently than recommended but never more.

Why order hair loss treatments with us?

The UK-registered online doctors, expert pharmacists, and caring, clinically trained support team at Oxford Online Pharmacy manage your consultation, order, and medicines quickly and discreetly with outstanding customer service.

References

1. Regaine UK [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 10]. Regaine UK.
2. Jimenez-Cauhe J, Saceda-Corralo D, Rodrigues-Barata R, Hermosa-Gelbard A, Moreno-Arrones OM, Fernandez-Nieto D, et al. Effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol [Internet]. 2019 Aug;81(2):648–9.
3. Jimenez-Cauhe J, Saceda-Corralo D, Rodrigues-Barata R, Moreno-Arrones OM, Ortega-Quijano D, Fernandez-Nieto D, et al. Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil treatment for hair loss. A systematic review and pooled-analysis of individual patient data. Dermatol Ther [Internet]. 2020 Nov;33(6):e14106.