Wait, Rogaine Can Grow Your Nails?
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
My favorite part about reporting our “Beauty Aisle” series is learning how experts use the everydaydrugstore productsthey’re recommending — insider tricks like makeup artistScott BarnesusingAquaphor Balm Stickto prevent J.Lo’sconcealerfrom cracking. Or in a recent “Beauty Aisle” interview, dermatologistKavita Mariwallatold me thatRogaineisn’t just for your scalp: It may also help your nails grow. “There are some studies that show topical minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, can stimulate nail growth,” she said. “Rub it on your cuticles, not the nail, every night, and your nails will grow faster.”
My mind was blown because I’d never heard that before. I decided not to run the tip in her “Beauty Aisle” story because I had to know more — and try it for myself.
Before I applied the foam solution to my nails, I did a little research. Just this year, theJournal of Cosmetic Dermatologypublished a review of the evidence of minoxidil and nail growth. It found a small but intriguing body of research suggesting that topical minoxidil can speed up nail growth on healthy nails. The ingredient has also been explored as a treatment for some nail disorders, including yellow-nail syndrome and nail psoriasis, but that evidence is much more limited.
Most of the evidence for topical minoxidil involves the 5 percent strength, which is found in men’s Rogaine. In one study, treated nails grew 4.27-mm. per month versus 3.91 per month for untreated nails. Now that’s not ahugedifference, but it is considered statistically significant. Another study showed a 19 percent increase in growth over 28 days.
The growth was far more impressive with oral minoxidil (in one small study, the growth was as much as a 50 percent increase), but since it’s a prescription drug with systemic effects, more research is needed before anyone would call it — or recommend it as — a nail-growth treatment.
How does it work?
Researchers aren’t exactly sure how minoxidil affects nail growth. The drug is a vasodilator, so increased blood flow may play a role. Researchers think effects on growth-factor signaling and cellular pathways may also be involved in growth, but the exact reason it works in nails is still unclear.
The review also noted potential side effects. For topical minoxidil, the concerns are skin irritation and unwantedhair growthif it gets on the surrounding skin. For oral minoxidil, the issues are more serious because it can affect the cardiovascular system. Side effects can include low blood pressure, dizziness, fluid retention/edema, increased heart rate/palpitations, and unwanted hair growth.
Did topical minoxidil work on my nails?
I’ll start by saying that I’ve never had great nails. They’re thin and peel and break easily, so they’re pretty short most of the time. I don’t getgel manicuresoften, but when I get a few in a row, my nails seem even thinner and seemingly take months to recover. They rarely get past my finger tips. I went with over-the-counter Rogaine with 5 percent minoxidil and applied a small amount (one to two drops) to the proximal nail fold, the skin just behind the base of the nail, not the entire nail plate, as the review suggested. I applied it just once a day, but some of the studies tested it twice daily.
I started applying it while my nails still hadgel polishand noticed after about a week and half that I had more growth at the base of my nail than I normally do. After I removed the gel manicure, I left my nails bare and continued to apply. Four weeks later, my nails are past fingertip length. I can’t say for sure from my little experiment that the minoxidil is responsible, but the timing was convincing enough that I’ll keep using it.
Would I recommend this as a nail hack?
BecauseRogaineis typically $30 for one can, I wouldn’t suggest you buy it solely for nail growth. But if you already use it for hair growth or have it on hand (my husband uses it, so I had it in the house), rubbing a small amount to the proximal nail fold is an intriguing experiment. I’d talk to a dermatologist first if you have a nail condition or irritated skin around your nails.
I wouldn’t suggest taking oral minoxidil for nail growth alone, as it hasn’t been properly studied. If you’re already taking it under a physician’s supervision for hair loss, you might have already noticed that nail growth is a nice secondary benefit.
New! You can now save this product for later.
More nail-care products we like
New! You can now save this product for later.
Alpha hydroxy acids and plant-based keratin strengthen brittle nails.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nail pro Gina Eppolito calls this the best polish remover.
More From The Strategist
- The Strategist Fall 100
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- The Strategist Summer 100
- I Replaced My Tretinoin With This $30 Retinal Cream
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
