This apparently is a good thing. Higher minoxidil solutions should be a bit thick/sticky and have a yellow hue if I'm not mistaken. Dr Lee's Xandrox 15 was almost like glue. Did the Dualgen 15% from Minoxidilmax which you used crystalize in the bottle? Was it well absorbed in your scalp or did it dry up, unabsorbed? I've read on another forum that a user initially saw no results from Dualgen 15 in the first 3 months. He then started to apply generic 2% minoxidil a while after the Dualgen-15 (once it was dried up and partially still on his scalp, not absorbed). This apparently made all the difference and he saw regrowth from then on.
That's reassuring to know; I can live with a 1% strength deficit. I do order 3 bottles at a time, and will keep an eye on the storage, thanks!How's your hair doing since using Dualgen-15? Any shedding from it? Regrowth?
I read somewhere (don't remember if it was this forum or another) that a user sent Dualgen-15 to a lab for testing. The minoxidil concentration came out close to 15% iirc, so I hope it's legit. The original Xandrox 15 by Dr Lee however had a unique formula and method of production, which most likely contributed highly to the effectiveness of it. A lot of Xandrox users went on to other 15% minoxidil products and started losing ground.Very depressing that Xandrox' original formula isn't being produced by another company, as far as we know.
EDIT: I was talking about this post from user Warlord:
I had a long "issue" with MinoxidilMax more than one year ago, because I had just gone through a depressing shed and I wanted to be sure that their products really contained the labelled amount of minoxidil. Both MinoxidilMax and me sent several bottles to the same US laboratory. The fact is that one of their lots of 15% minoxidil, which was more than half a year old, had only 13.9% minoxidil (which is, however, still within acceptable limits). This is probably due to the lower long-term stability of 15% minoxidil. But the fresh lots were fine and very accurately dosed (14.9%, 15.0%, 15.3%). So if you don't buy stores for 1+ year ahead, you shouldn't worry.
It's good to know that the minoxidil concentration seems to be right. I'm not convinced of its effectiveness in comparison to the original Xandrox 15 though. Dr Lee used a specific formula, the ingredients differ from the Dualgen-15 of Minoxidilmax. I'll just have to try it I guess. Hoping for the best.
I am curious...does increasing the strength (or dosage?) give you better results IF you are responding?
I am on 5% foam I am a decent responder--would love more growth of course--or is going up in percentage or dosing to help people who are not responding or stop responding?
I've been thinking about the same thing today. I switched from Rogaine liquid to Kirkland liquid like 3 months ago. I'm not sure, but at this point I think the Kirkland hasn't been quite as effective as the Rogaine. Makes no sense, right? Should be exactly as effective. But... can't chance it, right?Sucks because name brand Rogaine is so much more expensive, so if it is in fact exactly the same thing then it is quite dumb to ever use Rogaine.
So I think what I'm going to do is increase the amount of minoxidil I use, by using the same amt. of Kirkland and also using Rogaine, perhaps by alternating with it or I dunno.
hairblues I'm curious, are you using Kirkland or Rogaine foam (or other?) Have you thought about changing brands?
I use foam Rogaine for women(same thing really) ...I don't feel it is really expensive but I use 1/2 a cap 1x a day..I am trying to figure out how many bottles I used so far..but it's a 4 month supply for $40 last time I got it.
Keep in mind as a woman all beauty products (this is a beauty product lets keep it real lol) are pricey so this did not seem so in comparison to other things I use.
Also you guys may be higher dosing them me and using it 2x a day. women are not 'supposed' to but reading more on Heralopecia women are using it 2x a day which I might start to do.
Shookwun had recommended kirkland I believe it has something else in it that makes it effective..but I was good with rogain for now because I did have results.
I am open to switching at some point but it sounds like the switch is not working for you?
Ya, that sounds like a good deal, cheap! I end up spending about ... something like $500 a year on Rogaine (including shipping). Maybe a bit less but in that ballpark. Doesnt break the bank but Kirkland is a fraction of that so if its equally effective then why spend the $.
I would think that kirkland won't be MORE effective than rogaine, so at the price youre paying theres no sense in switching. Unless you wanted to increase the dose? But you could do what I'm planning to do, use both... add kirkland to your rogaine regimen...
Really, I'm not sure if the Kirkland has been less effective. Could just be that I've been using minoxidil and only minoxidil for 2 years, so now I've seen gains, held steady for a while, and am now seeing the decline. Or maybe its the kirkland. Or maybe my hair is not actually getting worse. In any case I'm gonna increase the dose and add Rogaine.
A very good hair Doctor told me that name brand rogaine and finasteride ARE slightly better than their generic alternatives. Maybe its true.
lol i want to write d o c , but if you type it this website is correcting it to d o c t o r and also capitalizing it, like above. note to the mods, it doesn't need to be capitalized!![]()
I am curious...does increasing the strength (or dosage?) give you better results IF you are responding?
I am on 5% foam I am a decent responder--would love more growth of course--or is going up in percentage or dosing to help people who are not responding or stop responding?
Thats incredible. Supercharged hairline and vertex. So you're actually kinda like the opposite of a bald man... DLAB or something.
I just looked up info about Latanoprost. Hmmm ... any side effects? ... do you use a small amount? Seems expensive...?
I'm using 5% Kirkland, once a day, and thats it. I think I'm going to have to up my game or I'll eventually be looking at the Larry David. Which would be OK but . . .. . . . .. . . . . . .
It will help your growth. I can definitely answer that question.
My vertex/hairline hair grows about an inch per month.
And let me say this. As much as I used to believe in Minoxidil at one time, I really think
other anti androgens make the difference between hair gain and loss. I use both 30% and
a 15% solution. Both are legitimate and done by doctors.
As I said, my hairline / vertex, where I put Minoxidil AND Latanoprost, grows ONE inch per month.
My side back hair grows less. It only grows an average half inch per month.
My hair actually grows quickly...my hair is actually down to my bra in back when i pull it straight lol...but I would like more density on my top scalp especially towards front first few inches. its like my hair line is intact but right behind my hair lien is where hair loss got me the most-in the center part..and i would love more density right in that from few inches towards middle..
I got improvement in this area from minoxidil 5% foam 1x a day as directed--but would like more density in this area.
I dont know if stronger minoxidil would help that...
My dermatologist said to me other day she has a stronger strength minoxidil compound with retinol and something else (I cant remember I have to ask her again) BUT its liquid..I kind of like the foam cosmetically...but considering it.
My hair transplant Dr who i consulted with but who also monitors me with treatments etc--he has me on a topical spironolactone with some other stuff in it (estrodail, but the weaker kind) caffeine and melatonin..that helped I think..BUT I definitely need more help in that anti-androgen area..so I wrote to him and asked if I can add his male blend which has topical finasteride in it...He may/may not I am not sure..Doctors may be reluctant with women who still ovulate because of malpractice or afraid of lawsuits.