minoxidil Recommendation??? Kirkland Brand Itches!!!

[davidleeroth1]

My stats:

• 2001 diagnosed male pattern baldness with NW1-2. Started 1mg finasteride
• 2003 added 5% minoxidil and T-GEL
  
• 2003-2017, 1mg finasteride + 5% minoxidil (2x daily) regiment, maintained NW1-2.

I used Dr. Lee's Xandrox starting I think in 2004, then some Xandrox knock offs once Dr. Lee was put out of business by our friends at FDA. Now I cannot seem to find even the Xandrox knock-offs.

I bought Kirkland brand for the first time about 3 months ago. No feedback on results, but I assume they'll be the same as the active is 5% minoxidil like everything else I've used. However, this product is so darn itchy!!!!! Can anyone recommend a high quality 5% minoxidil, preferably with 5% azelaic acid, that may not itch??

 

[Johnmpb]

Hey man, I actually remember you from a long time ago and your posts from hlh.

It's sucked ever since dr Lee was put out of business. I think there are a few options though. One is just to switch to foam. I use it and many report that they have no itch from it vs when they use liquid. I believe the vehicle is different and liquid minoxidil uses propylene glycol which causes irritation. Also if you're set on using azelaic acid maybe u can apply a cream after minoxidil. Many sites including inhouse sell azelaic acid lotions/creams.

Another option, which is pricey and I have not looked much into is to visit medicalwellnesscenter. You can use them for an rx and they custom compound minoxidil in different formulations and strengths. I would communicate with them to let them know you itch from normal minoxidil to see what they say. Hope this helps

By the way how has your hair held up?
Do you experience scalp inflammation?
Can you describe your entire regimen in detail including brands and where u buy them from?

 

[Massive]

Hey man, I actually remember you from a long time ago and your posts from hlh.

It's sucked ever since dr Lee was put out of business. I think there are a few options though. One is just to switch to foam. I use it and many report that they have no itch from it vs when they use liquid. I believe the vehicle is different and liquid minoxidil uses propylene glycol which causes irritation. Also if you're set on using azelaic acid maybe u can apply a cream after minoxidil. Many sites including inhouse sell azelaic acid lotions/creams.

Another option, which is pricey and I have not looked much into is to visit medicalwellnesscenter. You can use them for an rx and they custom compound minoxidil in different formulations and strengths. I would communicate with them to let them know you itch from normal minoxidil to see what they say. Hope this helps

By the way how has your hair held up?
Do you experience scalp inflammation?
Can you describe your entire regimen in detail including brands and where u buy them from?

Good informative post. I'd just like to add that it's also a possibility to use a cheaper nore basic solution like MinoxidilMax No PG products at varying minoxidil strengths.

 

[davidleeroth1]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Man, those sites looks sketchy?! Perhaps I'll stick with the OTC 5% minoxidil for a while longer with the hopes that the itchiness settles on its own. Our bodies are quite adept at finding an equilibrium.

Unfortunately, foam is not a good option for me. I tried it once and it was just gross. Made my hair so greasy that I'd rather deal with the itchiness, frankly.

To answer your questions:

• By the way how has your hair held up?

Really no change since 2001, I've stayed a NW1-2. Meanwhile, my 2.5 years older brother, who doesn't care about his hair, has progressed to a NW5-NW6. As with all of us, I have no way of knowing what my situation would be in had I never treated myself. I do know that I was diagnosed with male pattern baldness and recommended to start treatment. If the minoxidil-finasteride combination has worked for me, its because I followed it religiously and consistently. In the past 16 years, I've probably missed less than 10 total applications of anything.

• Do you experience scalp inflammation?

No, just itchiness. I responded very well to Dr. Lee's products, they were like a godsend, because I've never liked Rogaine, and now know I don't like Kirkland either. I see that MinoxidilMax cannot sell to the USA.

• Can you describe your entire regimen in detail including brands and where u buy them from?

Essentially, just 1 mg finasteride (1x/day cipla finpecia) and 5% minoxidil (2x/day, mostly using Xandrox w/5% AA). Never tried the 10% or 15%, because I figured I'd save the big guns for if I ever need them. Years ago I added T-Gel to help with some dandruff, which I still use.

Best of luck to all!

 

[yetti]

No, just itchiness. I responded very well to Dr. Lee's products, they were like a godsend, because I've never liked Rogaine, and now know I don't like Kirkland either.

I am curious, are you talking about Rogaine liquid, and Kirkland liquid? If so, did you have a different reaction to them, in any way, or was it exactly the same? I ask because I've been using Rogaine liquid for 2 years, just switched to Kirkland. Seems the same to me.

Rogaine never bothered me. But it is so much more expensive than Kirkland. Just about 5 times more expensive. If it is actually exactly the same thing, it is so wrong to ever buy the Rogaine...

 

[davidleeroth1]

I am curious, are you talking about Rogaine liquid, and Kirkland liquid? If so, did you have a different reaction to them, in any way, or was it exactly the same? I ask because I've been using Rogaine liquid for 2 years, just switched to Kirkland. Seems the same to me.

Rogaine never bothered me. But it is so much more expensive than Kirkland. Just about 5 times more expensive. If it is actually exactly the same thing, it is so wrong to ever buy the Rogaine...

Liquid always.

 

[yetti]

Liquid always.

But did you notice any difference at all between the Rogaine liquid and the Kirkland liquid? Or did they seem exactly the same? Did you react the same way to both?

 

[davidleeroth1]

Im sorry, bud. I tried rogaine once in 2001-2002. Hated it. Just too far back to remember if similar to Kirkland. If the ingredients are the same in both, I suspect a similar experience.

 

[yetti]

ok thanks, champ. ya that was a while ago... probably similar because the ingredients are either similar or identical.

 

[rclark]

Hey man, I actually remember you from a long time ago and your posts from hlh.

It's sucked ever since dr Lee was put out of business. I think there are a few options though. One is just to switch to foam. I use it and many report that they have no itch from it vs when they use liquid. I believe the vehicle is different and liquid minoxidil uses propylene glycol which causes irritation. Also if you're set on using azelaic acid maybe u can apply a cream after minoxidil. Many sites including inhouse sell azelaic acid lotions/creams.

Another option, which is pricey and I have not looked much into is to visit medicalwellnesscenter. You can use them for an rx and they custom compound minoxidil in different formulations and strengths. I would communicate with them to let them know you itch from normal minoxidil to see what they say. Hope this helps

By the way how has your hair held up?
Do you experience scalp inflammation?
Can you describe your entire regimen in detail including brands and where u buy them from?

They (Murray's Acotherapy/ https://www.medicalwellnesscenter.com/ actually do use glycerol in their compounded products. And lots of vitamin E. I actually had success with them, and I will start posting pictures with Promox as well (Regenepure). Both are very good. I'm very pleased so far.

After I start dermarolling, I'm hoping for more temple results!

 

[rclark]

Good informative post. I'd just like to add that it's also a possibility to use a cheaper nore basic solution like MinoxidilMax No PG products at varying minoxidil strengths.

Try Regenepure (Promox). I have two bottles of it so far. It is actually very affordable (110 dollars for 110 grams). Very happy with it. You only apply a thin film, and it's compounded from Florida. They actually use cold insulated packs when shipping with UPS.

Murray has better quality though, less weight (sixty grams for 99.00). But their quality it top knotch! (medicalwellnesscenter.com).

 

[Johnmpb]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Man, those sites looks sketchy?! Perhaps I'll stick with the OTC 5% minoxidil for a while longer with the hopes that the itchiness settles on its own. Our bodies are quite adept at finding an equilibrium.

Unfortunately, foam is not a good option for me. I tried it once and it was just gross. Made my hair so greasy that I'd rather deal with the itchiness, frankly.

To answer your questions:

• By the way how has your hair held up?

Really no change since 2001, I've stayed a NW1-2. Meanwhile, my 2.5 years older brother, who doesn't care about his hair, has progressed to a NW5-NW6. As with all of us, I have no way of knowing what my situation would be in had I never treated myself. I do know that I was diagnosed with male pattern baldness and recommended to start treatment. If the minoxidil-finasteride combination has worked for me, its because I followed it religiously and consistently. In the past 16 years, I've probably missed less than 10 total applications of anything.

• Do you experience scalp inflammation?

No, just itchiness. I responded very well to Dr. Lee's products, they were like a godsend, because I've never liked Rogaine, and now know I don't like Kirkland either. I see that MinoxidilMax cannot sell to the USA.

• Can you describe your entire regimen in detail including brands and where u buy them from?

Essentially, just 1 mg finasteride (1x/day cipla finpecia) and 5% minoxidil (2x/day, mostly using Xandrox w/5% AA). Never tried the 10% or 15%, because I figured I'd save the big guns for if I ever need them. Years ago I added T-Gel to help with some dandruff, which I still use.

Best of luck to all!

Thanks. Do u use the name brand neutrogena tgel or a generic version and how often do u use it?