The current use of minoxidil and Rogaine is mainly to slow down hair loss and to regrow lost hair on the scalp.
But people tend to get creative, and some men have even used it to grow a beard. Thus, it seems that minoxidil does seem to have the capacity to facilitate hair growth on the entire body, and not just on the scalp.
This begs the question, can I use Rogaine for eyebrow growth? And is it effective to use minoxidil for eyebrow growth?
Let me explain how one can use minoxidil to grow eyebrows.
Can I use minoxidil for eyebrow growth?
Minoxidil does seem to have the potential to grow eyebrows.
But, minoxidil is a drug that has only been FDA approved for usage on the scalp. That means that using minoxidil to grow a beard, or eyebrows, or chest hair for that matter has not been clinically tested enough to be considered safe.
That means that you use topical minoxidil for eyebrows growth at your own peril.
Can I use Rogaine for eyebrow growth?
Since Rogaine is a brand of minoxidil, the same rules apply as to any other generic brand of minoxidil.
Using Rogaine for thicker eyebrows and using Rogaine to grow eyebrows is a possibility and can work.
Still, there are dangers associated with using Rogaine on eyebrows, such as:
- Flaking
- Irritating the skin
- Scaling
Will minoxidil regrow eyebrows?
Depending on the cause, minoxidil can regrow eyebrows.
However, it will probably be less effective for alopecia areata since it is an autoimmune disorder that causes random spots of hair loss.
It is most likely more effective if the cause isn’t autoimmune related such as eczema, a nutrient deficiency, aging, or telogen effluvium.
Can I use Rogaine to regrow eyebrows?
So will Rogaine regrow eyebrows?
Yes, depending on the cause, Rogaine can be used to regrow eyebrows.
Since Rogaine is a brand of minoxidil, the same rules apply as they would to any generic form of minoxidil.
Rogaine will probably be most effective for eyebrow regrowth if the root of the hair loss isn’t alopecia areata or any other autoimmune related disorder.
Are minoxidil eyebrows permanent?
No, minoxidil eyebrows, which refers to eyebrows that are grown thanks to the product minoxidil, are not permanent.
Your eyebrows will start to thin again after you quit using minoxidil. That’s why you have to continue using topical minoxidil on your eyebrows indefinitely if you want to sustain your minoxidil gains.
Your eyebrows won’t fall out immediately if you quit the medication, but the longer you discontinue the product, the more you will notice your eyebrow hair falling out.
Expert's advice on using minoxidil for eyebrow growth
This is what Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City has to say about using minoxidil on eyebrows:
Minoxidil can indeed lead to eyebrow growth. But the product is only FDA approved for use on the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Thus, it should only be used on the scalp, since the vivid chemicals can cause side effects above your eye.[1]https://www.ipsy.com/blog/rogaine-for-eyebrows
It should be noted that eyebrow hair is different from scalp hair. The roots of eyebrow hair are thicker and coarser. Eyebrow hairs usually only grow for about 30 days, while scalp hair grows for an average of 2 to 5 years. This means that the hair on your head will become much longer than your eyebrows.[2]https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/eyebrows-eyelashes-not-grow-long-head-hair-anagen-telogen.html
He goes on to say that minoxidil is an efficient way to slow down hair loss, and even to regrow lost hair on the scalp, but can also be effective to regrow eyebrow hair.
While you might see eyebrow growth, he warns against the negative side effects on the more sensitive, thinner skin around your eyebrows compared to the skin on your scalp.
Dr Engelman says that there are several dangers of using Rogaine on eyebrows, especially those with a sensitive skin.
Possible topical minoxidil eyebrows side effects could be:
- Skin irritation
- Itching
- Scaling
The side effects could be more serious if taken orally, since there’s more systematic absorption of the drugs.
Some of the more serious side effects for oral minoxidil usage for eyebrows are:
- Cardiovascular problems
- Heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pericardial effusion
- Fluid retention
- Headaches
- Rashes
- Itchiness
He also says that people with a very sensitive skin, who have eczema, or rosacea shouldn’t use minoxidil, or at the very least take precautions.
If you do decide to use topical minoxidil as an off-label treatment, do so at your own risk.
It takes dedication to use the medication effective, since you’ll have to apply daily. And if you do decide to stop, you will lose the hair gains you’ve made on your head and eyebrows. This means that minoxidil or Rogaine is not a permanent solution for hair loss problems, although it can be if you continue your usage indefinitely.
If you do decide to stop using minoxidil, then you won’t lose all your hair gains instantly. You will gradually lose the hair gains you’ve made, and the longer you discontinue the drugs use, the more hairs you will lose over time.
Studies about minoxidil for eyebrow growth
The first study looked at the efficacy and safety of minoxidil 3% compared with another hair loss treatment, namely bimatoprost 0.03%.
They concluded that after 16 weeks of treatment, around 50 percent of participants saw hair regeneration that was more or less equal in both products.
Contingent on this study, it can be said that Rogaine moderately increases eyebrow growth and is comparable in effectiveness with bimatoprost.[3]https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2012.01579.x
The second study compared Rogaine with a placebo to analyze if minoxidil can indeed be effective as a tool to regrow eyebrow hair.
Forty participants were randomized for minoxidil usage on their eyebrow on one side of their face, and the placebo on the eyebrow on the other side of their face. Thirty-nine participants completed the study.
They concluded the following:
After 16 weeks, the minoxidil group achieved significantly better results in all measured outcomes compared to the placebo group.
Side-effects were minor and did not preclude patients from continuing the study. Our study suggests that minoxidil 2% lotion is a safe and effective treatment for eyebrow hypotrichosis.[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24471459/
Conclusion
Research does seem to suggest that using topical minoxidil for eyebrows can indeed help to grow, and even regrow, eyebrows. Consider using a higher strength minoxidil product to maximize the effectiveness of possible hair growth.
However, you do so at your own peril, as using Rogaine for eyebrows, or any other brand of minoxidil for that matter, is not FDA approved for use anywhere else other than the scalp.
The dangers of using Rogaine on eyebrows are real and not to be understated, especially for those with a sensitive skin.
So is it worth using minoxidil for eyebrow growth? That’s up to you to decide. As always, consider the current research and empirical evidence carefully to make an intelligent, well-thought-out decision.