Is Dimethicone in Shampoo Preventing Minoxidil Scalp Penetration?
I just had an epiphany regarding why minoxidil may not work for the majority of men. I would like your expert opinion on this. I think I may have just discovered something.
I have been using minoxidil for about a year along with an herbal shampoo containing all natural ingredients. I recently switched to a fancy shampoo that has many other ingredients, including dimethicone and various other ingredients that are commonly used in most shampoos to improve texture and increase thickness.
I noticed, after using this newer shampoo, that when I applied the minoxidil, it beaded up on my scalp. I immediately realized that dimethicone is a form of silicone. After reading the label of the shampoo and the matching conditioner, I noticed that they also contained other silicone-based ingredients. The ingredients are used in almost all shampoos and conditioners to coat the hairs, to add shine and improve the texture, etc.
As you may know, silicone is also the primary ingredient in auto polish, car wax and many other similar products. Silicone adds a layer of protection to surfaces and protects them. It causes water to bead up on a car’s paint, etc. This is why I noticed, I’m sure, the minoxidil beading up on my scalp after using the shampoo and conditioner containing the dimethicone. If silicone can cause water to bead up on a car’s paint, I’m sure it can also cause minoxidil to bead up on one’s scalp. It certainly appears to have that effect. If it’s beading up, I’m sure it isn’t properly penetrating. No penetration = no results!
So … here is my epiphany. We all know that minoxidil does NOT work for the majority of men. And if it does, it usually only works minimally. Now, since the majority of shampoos and conditioners contain dimethicone and similar ingredients, which prevent or hinders the penetration of minoxidil, couldn’t this be the reason why most men do not respond to minoxidil? Furthermore, there is a small percentage of men known as “responders.” These are men who respond very well to minoxidil. Maybe the reason they respond so well is something so simple that it has been overlooked, i.e., they are simply the ones using dimethicone/silicone-free hair products allowing the minoxidil to actually penetrate and do its job unhindered.
What do you think? Has this been addresssed before? If not, do you think my “theory” has any merit? I really think it does. Let me know what you think.
It is an interesting theory, but the dimethicone in the shampoo should not block the absorption of minoxidil, unless perhaps you leave the shampoo on your scalp without rinsing. You should apply minoxidil after you wash off any shampoo and conditioner and the scalp is warm from the hot shower you take, with the scalp pores open. That is when the absorption occurs.
I appreciate you posting and answering the above question.
I still feel there is something to this. If you have ever gone through an automatic car wash, I’m sure you are aware that most of them offer a protectant/wax that is sprayed on to your car as a final step right before you exit. These products are sprayed on and them immediately rinsed off.
Even though they are sprayed off immediately, enough of the product remains on the paint to offer about a week’s worth of protection. These products are very high in silicone.
I continue to think that even if you rinse off your conditioner, I’m sure enough of it remains on the scalp to inhibit minoxidil absorption — to some degree. I don’t know how much of an impact it has, but I think it affects the results more than is currently realized.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with dimethicone or silicones being in shampoos or conditioners. They are great ingredients and do their job well in making the hair feel silky and giving more body, but I bet the product formulators never factored in how it would affect minoxidil users.
I wish somebody would really look into this. I think more needs to be said about this. I consider myself to be very rational and skeptical in my thinking and I am not one to come up with wild theories, but I really think there is something to this.
I think the biggest difference is that your skin isn’t coated in metal. You’re comparing your scalp to a painted car. Test it out by putting shampoo on your arm, rinse it off and then watch as nothing beads up on it like car wax or protectant would cause.
Sounds like a way to sell special overpriced shampoos to me. It’s not enough to clog pores but there would likely be some residue or film coating the scalp which might have a marginal effect. But the effect of minoxidil is itself often pretty marginal, so who knows. You can always use inexpensive body wash or even soap as a shampoo. The cleansing ingredients are similar but no conditioning agents.
I am a woman with female pattern baldness, and also currently hold a hairdresser’s license. I am not a chemist, but it was advised by my dermatologist to use the men’s formula for Rogaine for its strength due to my condition (I would not recommend this for anyone unless they have consulted with a doctor). I did notice that the Rogaine started to work for me with using shampoos and conditioners and styling products containing dimethicone, however, once I caught wind of the possibility of it getting into and clogging your hair follicle pores, I have switched to a different professional shampoo and conditioner which does NOT contain dimethicone. While there was still a little bit of hair still in the shower drain before the switch, now there is none, and my hair has grown back! If you are concerned that is is not working for you, what is the cost of trying a shampoo and conditioner without the product? If there was not some truth to this, why is the professional hair industry coming out with professional shampoos and conditioners which do not contain dimethecone? Trial and error seems to be prevalent in today’s society when it isn’t a life-threatening situation. Please note, I have also stopped coloring my grey hair, the color also contained dimethicone, as well as using styling products afterwards with the exception of a light hair spray to keep my hair manageable, carefully applying it so that it does not penetrate the scalp. Good luck!
what shampoo did you switch too???