Ok guys time for an update from me, FWIW.
So...i started the equol again, a couple of weeks back as a topical after convincing myself (mainly through reading the posts in this thread) that the sides I had with the product would not be disastrous. Also, the fact that they went away relatively quickly first time they ramped up made me think of another shot. Next, I read a comment by Spex on BTT or someplace that advised folks getting on drugs to gradually taper it up to allow the body to adjust better to sides..
So based on that, I have been dissolving around 1.25 mg (roughly) of Folexen/day into alcohol, taking off the liquid part (though some of the starch crud does come along) and applying that to my hair daily.
Well, it has done little to thicken up my hair, and zero to no regrowth observed. I am a diffuse Norwood 3-V with rather largish patches in the crown.
But it has reduced my shedding and male pattern baldness itch.
Before Equol, I was using Eucapil - now even with that, I was losing like 4-5 large hairs every day, plus many tiny, small hairs from around the scalp. I only count those hairs where I apply the product to be fair. I am losing hair even at the "donor section" but since I dont apply the products there, its not accounted for.
After using this "topical", my shed has reduced to around 20% of the former.
Now, the not so great news. I still have sides, mostly around a slightly numb feeling "down there" and discomfort. Any attempt to raise the amount by me (of Equol) will logically increase the sides. But clearly, the sides mean that even topical, the Equol does go systemic and matches what Folexen rep on this thread said, about the molecule being small enough to go through the skin.
Overall, I wish this had come out earlier, at least as a topical, so I could have slowed down my aggressive hair loss till the (in) famous PGD2 blocker or whatever appeared.
Since at this amounts the Equol is clearly not doing much beyond just reducing shedding, I dont think I'll see rapid regrowth or propecia like success.
Basically, from what I can figure out Propecia/internals are so successful because by taking a single pill we nuke DHT to a complete stop and the half life is relatively large. Here, even via a topical, I'd have to take larger doses at different times during the day to mimic the effect.
I am now seriously thinking of getting the Neogenic thingy ...only thing I am unsure about is its safety profile? Using it for several years etc. Plus its way pricey.
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Another thing, days when I have huge stress or have lack of sleep, physical exhaustion - my male pattern baldness kicks in and I lose tons of hairs especially in the balding areas. The topical Equol hasnt been able to stop that. But it has reduced my daily shed otherwise by a significant portion. For those of you taking large amounts of Equol, if you are ok with maintenance and dont expect regrowth, this may be an option.
Best of luck!
