How Do I Use Rogaine If I Am Using It On The Front And Crown?

Apologies in advance for yet another question on this drug, but I cannot seem to find a good answer to it!

I am just wondering how the dosage of minoxidil has an impact on the hair. The Rogaine 5% minoxidil foam I use recommends 1g twice a day. This seems to be based loosely on expected application to the vertex/scalp.

Now, like so many people out there, I predominately use it on the hairline (though I know results can be hard to come by here). I have some moderate, uneven recession which may just be maturing, but I know maturing can quickly shade into MPB, and I have balding in the family.

Since the corners of the hairline make up a smaller area than the vertex/crown, is it still appropriate to use the full 1g? Does it matter if the full 1g is used in a more concentrated, smaller area? Does using more than the recommended 1g per application dosage ONLY increase the risk of side effects, or can it also have adverse effects on the hair?

In other words, is 1g simply the limit they set to to achieve maximum effectiveness whilst limiting side effects (similar to how 1mg is used daily for finasteride), or does going beyond that have adverse effects?

I only ask because I tend to use the full 1g (half a capful) to cover both corners (0.5g each corner), sometimes more, and I worry this may do more harm than good if I am using too much!

On the flip side, I wonder how people with more advanced/diffuse thinning manage to use half a capful to cover all the effected areas, and achieve good scalp penetration? It doesn’t seem enough!

I think it should be quite simple by using the medication as directed. Rogaine 5% is a topical medication and it is to be used twice a day on the area of balding on the scalp. Applying it, unfortunately, is not a science especially when you have to put it one in areas you can not see easily. It is used for balding on the top and crown areas where it is most difficult to apply and it probably does not really work well on the frontal corners. I realize some people use it for growth on the frontal corner areas in hopes it may work. There is nothing wrong with this. If your head is big or the balding area is big, I would use more to cover the areas needed. I do not think there is an absolute limit that you can realistically apply and what you apply needs to get on your scalp, not your hair. I also realize if you use too much you may have some side effects such as a drop in your blood pressure so use your good judgement.