How Can I Turn Liquid Minoxidil Into a Foam?'

Name: Rey

Question: I bought a load of liquid minoxidil because it was on sale but I usually used foam and now I don't like applying this liquid one. It's messy and I find the foam much easier so how do I turn the liquid version into a foam? Can I do that? Can I put it in one of those foaming soap dispensers with the pump if I clean it out first or use one of those balloons aerosols. Would that work?

Answer: Hi, Rey. I'm afraid we have some bad news for you - you cannot turn your liquid minoxidil into a foam version, certainly not whilst retaining its stability and efficacy.

If you can, the best thing to do in this situation is to return the minoxidil you have purchased to the place you bought it from for a refund or store credit. If you have used some of the bulk purchase, they may be able to do a partial refund so at least you can get some of your money back.

The over-the-counter hair loss solutions you describe are formulated to be used exactly the way they come, as per their accompanying directions. Therefore, to deviate from these is likely to result in the products becoming, at best, less effective and, at worst, dangerous.

We certainly caution against trying the methods you describe regarding the soap dispenser and aerosol.

If one was to just put minoxidil into a foaming soap dispenser, I doubt that it would foam. In order for foam to be created in one of these dispensers there has to be a soap solution present in the first place. Foaming dispensers mix air and liquid soap before dispensing - it is this that creates foam. I would expect minoxidil foam solutions to be specially formulated with products such as emulsifiers to create the foam.

You may be interested to know that Belgravia specialists tend to recommend liquid high strength minoxidil over the foam. The reason for this is that the liquid is more likely to be properly absorbed by the scalp, and less likely to simply get stuck in the hair, than the foam.

Although applying minoxidil in liquid form may take a little getting used to, it's worth giving it a good try. You may even end up preferring it - after all, you want to know you're getting your money's worth!

Our hair loss specialists demonstrate application techniques to all patients, which can be recapped on at any time so they know exactly what they are doing. However, as you are not a Belgravia client, we recommend you speaking to your minoxidil provider or manufacturer to see if they have any tips they can teach you to help make the application process as easy as possible.