Cb-03-01 - Synergies For A Custom Topical Solution

[Dr.]

Hi All,
Long-time reader, first time poster. 35 y/o male, experienced gradual hairloss over the years. I think my hair actually looks decent overall from the front (the right crown regressing more than the left, but my hair mostly covers it), but it's definitely thinning when seen from the top and back. Unfortunately, my hair loss has been increasing lately since I've been on pharmacotherapy to double my testosterone levels, which has likely increased my DHT levels (see attached pics, what Norwood am I?).

I should likely bite the bullet and start on finasteride, but I was wondering if I can try this instead to avoid side effects. I'm looking to custom compound my own hair loss solution, and would appreciate feedback on ingredients that would be synergistic with CB-03-01. I'm basing this on Defy Medical/Empower Pharmacy's Andro Block F topical solution, just swapping finasteride for CB-03-01 to have more localized/less systemic effects.

BASE:

• The Ordinary - Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density (60ml) - 1ml applied BID (twice a day)
- I realize this is not the original delivery vehicle in the CB-03-01 studies, but I figure it's well-formulated, cheap, and caffeine may have its own benefits for androgenic alopecia. Any feedback here?

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:

• CB-03-01 - 7.5% (75mg) BID (twice a day)
- This is the dosage used in the studies, but even sourced from Xian Lyphar (does anyone have a COA from it being tested?) it comes out to $7.65/day or $2800/year. I wonder if halving the dose will give good results while being more cost effective?

• Minoxidil - 5% (50mg) BID (twice a day)
- unique MOA from CB-03-01, so it seems worth adding given the cheap cost

- Sandalore (5%) (50mg) BID (twice a day)
- I've been using one drop BID (~5%) mixed into my midoxidil 5% foam, so would just add this to the solution

IN QUESTION (Appreciate Feedback):

• Ketoconazole - 2% (20mg) BID (twice a day)
- I already use Ketoconazole 2% shampoo twice a week, but I'm wondering if adding this as a topical would be more efficient than shampooing. Only concerned about drying my hair out too much (though I add kokum butter for styling so its usually moisturized), so wondering if I should leave this out and keep shampooing?

- Azelaic Acid - 12.5% (125mg) BID (twice a day)
- Heard this was a DHT inhibitor, so not sure it adds synergistic value to CB-03-01?

- Spironolactone - 5% (50mg) BID (twice a day)
- My understanding is this is an antiandrogen via "competing with DHT receptors and producing a decrease in DHT", so not sure if it adds synergistic value to CB-03-01?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[megadyptes]

So you prefer to take an experimental, way more expensive, drug than finasteride? Have you been on finasteride before and experience sides? If not, I don't see a reason why you'd go this 'experimental' route, sounds like a way too complex cocktail to me. I mean, you could even go on a _very_ (0.2<mg) low dosage and still have some benefit if you are scared of sides.

But on topic. Minoxidil and Finasteride/Dutasteride are the main reason people have maintained/increased hair count. So yes, Minoxidil is a must. CB-03-01: good that you use the studied dosage. The rest is very close to snake-oil in my opinion (mostly referring to sandalore ).

Safe yourself time and money and consider Minoxidil and Finasteride, then add whatever crap you believe helps.

 

[Dr.]

Thanks for the feedback. I will give finasteride a go. Is 1mg the recommended dosage, and then titrating down if experiencing side effects?

Any thoughts on optimal DHT levels that balance hair maintenance and sexual health (I just blood tested this morning).

Has anyone found that CB-03-01 is synergistic with finasteride?

 

[BigOl'BaldingHead]

Thanks for the feedback. I will give finasteride a go. Is 1mg the recommended dosage, and then titrating down if experiencing side effects?

Any thoughts on optimal DHT levels that balance hair maintenance and sexual health (I just blood tested this morning).

Has anyone found that CB-03-01 is synergistic with finasteride?

You could try lopomosal finasteride if you fear side effects. Because it apparently reduces side effects because of a smaller reduction in serum levels.

 

[Dr.]

You could try lopomosal finasteride if you fear side effects. Because it apparently reduces side effects because of a smaller reduction in serum levels.

What do you think of topical liposomal finasteride vs. dutasteride? Where can I source this from?

 

[BigOl'BaldingHead]

What do you think of topical liposomal finasteride vs. dutasteride? Where can I source this from?

You can get liposomal finasteride from Farmacia Parati. And from a safety perspective it's better than dustaride but also far weaker.

 

[megadyptes]

Thanks for the feedback. I will give finasteride a go. Is 1mg the recommended dosage, and then titrating down if experiencing side effects?

Any thoughts on optimal DHT levels that balance hair maintenance and sexual health (I just blood tested this morning).

Has anyone found that CB-03-01 is synergistic with finasteride?

1mg ED is the recommended dosage. I use half because I think the DHT inhibiting effect between 0.5mg and 1mg is quite small, which ends up saving me some money. Anything higher than 1mg doesn't inhibit DHT that much more, so taking more doesn't really work. And lower than 0.5mg is probably going to be less effective compared to 1mg. However, there are studies of maintenance and increased hair count from as little as 0.2mg. Because 0.2mg still inhibits quite a lot of DHT compared to 1mg, there is probably as much chance of adverse effects. From what I've read "it just takes a bit longer to happen at lower dosages". So lower dosages is probably not recommended if you developed sides on 1mg, maybe only micro-dosing will work then (but haven't read much on that)

In my opinion. If you get sides you should stop. That's what I've read in multiple papers, because you'll have more chance of the sides becoming permanent. If you stop, sides will disappear in the majority of people. However, less than 2% chance you'll get the sides, so it's not a given fact that you will develop them.

I don't know if CB-03-01 works well with finasteride, they just haven't studied it yet.