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Best Minoxidil Carrier And Solution?
- Thread starter AndShane
- Start date
A powerful carrier can make a huge difference. I've experimented a lot with different minoxidil regimens and carriers - e.g. after I stopped DMSO 3% solution before applying minoxidil 15%, I lost a good share of my regrowth (back to Norwood 2) because less minoxidil got into my scalp - all things being equal. The same with Rogaine 5%. After I resumed my earlier regimen I started to see temples regrowth (in my NNW 1 zone) again.
Alchohol is essential as well - to penetrate sebum barrier. Alcohol can cause side side effects, but they are easily addressed. Read further.
Another point for you to consider: there are some patients who lack certain enzymes in their scalp etc which impairs metabolisation of minoxidil when it is used topically. But they can be receptive to oral forms. These is a good discussion of this aspect on this forum.
Alchohol is essential as well - to penetrate sebum barrier. Alcohol can cause side side effects, but they are easily addressed. Read further.
Another point for you to consider: there are some patients who lack certain enzymes in their scalp etc which impairs metabolisation of minoxidil when it is used topically. But they can be receptive to oral forms. These is a good discussion of this aspect on this forum.
In the morning I use Rogaine foam 5%. Provided your scalp is in a proper condition (one may need a combo of approaches to achieve this) - well-peeled, non-oily, moisturised, no visible inflammation - this foam should get into your scalp within a few minutes without making your hair greasy. In the evening I part my hair (crown-hairline zone) and apply 3% DMSO with a cotton pad, then I apply a more powerful minoxidil solution - 15% minoxidil and 5% azelaic acid (it contains alcohol as well). Within 3-5 min my scalp is completely dry. It won't happen without DMSO.
There are plenty of high-strength minoxidil providers. You may consider a compounding pharmacy, compound it yourself, Belgravia minoxidil 12.5% or minoxidilmax (Dualgen etc). I use Ideal Image Solutions minoxidil.
I noticed a major difference between 5% and 15% minoxidil. But your cardiovascular system should be healthy to allow this - e.g. I use 15% minoxidil only before sleep as it increases heart rate.
Alcohol sides:
1) dry scalp: I wash my hair every morning with first Nioxin system 6 shampoo (it does contain sulfates to properly get rid of sebum etc, many are afraid of sulfates, one just needs a proper after-shampoo care), then I use a Vichy micro-peel 3-in-one shampoo with a peeling effect (contains acids), then a keto-shampoo (Nizoral 2%) to avoid dandruff etc, then Nioxin system 6 conditioner (contains oils) that is suitable for application on one's scalp - for me it's a sufficient moisturiser.
2) never apply alcohol-based solutions on scalp where it is clearly inflamed - reddish, itchy etc.
3) an anti-histamine drug when needed; I had some mild allergic reaction to alcohol, but over time it disappeared.
4) A DMSO solution seems to help a lot in controlling the irritating effects of alcohol.
Although this routine is a bit complicated, in my case it is very rewarding. My attempts to make it easier - e.g. by excluding DMSO - resulted in loss of regrowth and reddish/itchy scalp. Keeping Nioxin conditioner for half a minute or for 5 minutes make a difference as well.
There are plenty of high-strength minoxidil providers. You may consider a compounding pharmacy, compound it yourself, Belgravia minoxidil 12.5% or minoxidilmax (Dualgen etc). I use Ideal Image Solutions minoxidil.
I noticed a major difference between 5% and 15% minoxidil. But your cardiovascular system should be healthy to allow this - e.g. I use 15% minoxidil only before sleep as it increases heart rate.
Alcohol sides:
1) dry scalp: I wash my hair every morning with first Nioxin system 6 shampoo (it does contain sulfates to properly get rid of sebum etc, many are afraid of sulfates, one just needs a proper after-shampoo care), then I use a Vichy micro-peel 3-in-one shampoo with a peeling effect (contains acids), then a keto-shampoo (Nizoral 2%) to avoid dandruff etc, then Nioxin system 6 conditioner (contains oils) that is suitable for application on one's scalp - for me it's a sufficient moisturiser.
2) never apply alcohol-based solutions on scalp where it is clearly inflamed - reddish, itchy etc.
3) an anti-histamine drug when needed; I had some mild allergic reaction to alcohol, but over time it disappeared.
4) A DMSO solution seems to help a lot in controlling the irritating effects of alcohol.
Although this routine is a bit complicated, in my case it is very rewarding. My attempts to make it easier - e.g. by excluding DMSO - resulted in loss of regrowth and reddish/itchy scalp. Keeping Nioxin conditioner for half a minute or for 5 minutes make a difference as well.
In the morning I use Rogaine foam 5%. Provided your scalp is in a proper condition (one may need a combo of approaches to achieve this) - well-peeled, non-oily, moisturised, no visible inflammation - this foam should get into your scalp within a few minutes without making your hair greasy. In the evening I part my hair (crown-hairline zone) and apply 3% DMSO with a cotton pad, then I apply a more powerful minoxidil solution - 15% minoxidil and 5% azelaic acid (it contains alcohol as well). Within 3-5 min my scalp is completely dry. It won't happen without DMSO.
There are plenty of high-strength minoxidil providers. You may consider a compounding pharmacy, compound it yourself, Belgravia minoxidil 12.5% or minoxidilmax (Dualgen etc). I use Ideal Image Solutions minoxidil.
I noticed a major difference between 5% and 15% minoxidil. But your cardiovascular system should be healthy to allow this - e.g. I use 15% minoxidil only before sleep as it increases heart rate.
Alcohol sides:
1) dry scalp: I wash my hair every morning with first Nioxin system 6 shampoo (it does contain sulfates to properly get rid of sebum etc, many are afraid of sulfates, one just needs a proper after-shampoo care), then I use a Vichy micro-peel 3-in-one shampoo with a peeling effect (contains acids), then a keto-shampoo (Nizoral 2%) to avoid dandruff etc, then Nioxin system 6 conditioner (contains oils) that is suitable for application on one's scalp - for me it's a sufficient moisturiser.
2) never apply alcohol-based solutions on scalp where it is clearly inflamed - reddish, itchy etc.
3) an anti-histamine drug when needed; I had some mild allergic reaction to alcohol, but over time it disappeared.
4) A DMSO solution seems to help a lot in controlling the irritating effects of alcohol.
Although this routine is a bit complicated, in my case it is very rewarding. My attempts to make it easier - e.g. by excluding DMSO - resulted in loss of regrowth and reddish/itchy scalp. Keeping Nioxin conditioner for half a minute or for 5 minutes make a difference as well.
Very interested in your DMSO protocol. How do you make a 3% DMSO solution? I just purchased a bottle of DMSO. Thanks!
One should be very careful with DMSO. It works for a range of conditions - e.g. at higher concentrations it is effective against joints pain (applied topically). Do not overuse it. I experimented to conclude: the lower - the better. Now I use 2% (just touching my scalp with a pad, no liberal approach) 2-3 times per week. It certainly increases topical minoxidil systemic absorption (BP, heart rate measurements). It has also a diuretic effect (higher doses are used for horses).
It's water-soluble, so I dissolve a 99% concentrate in distilled water, do not miscalculate the proportions.
It's water-soluble, so I dissolve a 99% concentrate in distilled water, do not miscalculate the proportions.