Questions regarding topicals and needling

[TheBlackSuit]

It would be very helpful if some of you could take their time to answer my questions. Thank you very much

1. How long should I wait before I apply topicals?

minoxidil -1 day
Ru -2 days

CB ?
Topical finasteride/dutasteride ?
Ket-Lotion ?
Stemox ?
Diclofenac?
tretinoin?

2. Is there anything I need to know regarding the relationship between Diclofenac/tretinoin and microneedling?
For example: If I use microneedling with 1-1.5 mm length and apply Diclofenac, will the Diclofenac negatively interfere with the wound healing?
Some people say tretinoin makes your skin thicker, will that influence the effectivity of microneedling?

3. At the moment I use a mix of topical finasteride/minoxidil, but I also want to add topical duta to my regiment. So how often a week should I substitute the mix with topical dutasteride? Once, twice? Is it beneficial to use finasteride and duta at the same time or should I just switch to the topical duta (2-3 times a week) and stop using finasteride?

4. As far as I know it is helpful to put a foil on your scalp after applying a topical - for best results leave it on for the whole night - (I did that with minoxidil only but stopped after adding topical finasteride). So the question is: Can you use foil with topical finasteride/duta or is there a risk of higher systemic absorption?

Wiki for Occlusion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occlusive_dressing
Quote: to enhance the penetration and absorption of topically-applied medications, such as ointments and creams.

5. What's your opinion concerning "adding anti androgens is a must when using topical finasteride/duta"? If topical finasteride/dutasteride really is that aggressive in the hairline area, more people would have talked about it, or not? CB is so f*****g expensive and I am sure I will get sides from RU.

6. I don't want to apply tretinoin separately so adding it to the minoxidil would be nice but how much should I put in? Most people just put a pea size into a 60 ml bottle of minoxidil but if you think about it, if you apply it directly on your skin you need that pea size for just one application. It should be more than 1 pea size or not? Somebody got a hint how many mg/g would be the right amount for a 60 ml bottle?

 

[LITUATUI]

Hi there.

I don't have the answer for all your questions, but this is my current regimen (started on January 1). It's basically the aicepolA regimen.


Morning

I put 3 finasteride pills (for a total of 15 mg) in my minoxidil bottle, this gives me a concentration of 0,25 mg/mL. I use 1 mL every morning.

Take 1,25 mg finasteride orally 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

I also take half tea spoon of castor oil every day, sometimes two times a day.


Night

2-3 days a week (from Wednesday to Friday) I use a 0,05 % tretinoin cream, then put Azelac (azelaic acid and salicylic acid) lotion and finally a moisturizer (Aloe Vera cream). As for the other days of the week I use a 2 % ketoconazole lotion named Tedol.

I also take a 10 mg pill of cetirizine for my sinusitis, but may help with hairloss.


Extra

Before applying topicals I always wash my head with warm/hot water and a anti-dandruff shampoo for men (with piroctone olamine). This opens pores and removes sebum allowing better topical absorption.

I microneedle every week on Sundays with a derma-stamp. I put diclofenac numbing cream before and apply betadine after. Allow your skin to heal, don't use tretinoin for 2-3 days after the microneedle session.


Without treatment my scalp is extremely oily and full with dandruff. Since sebum production is regulated and increased by androgens, if your scalp starts getting less oily it's sign that your regimen is working.


I just wish there were more studies done on tretinoin for alopecia. We don't know for sure which combination works best (microneedling+minoxidil, tretinoin+minoxidil, tretinoin+microneedling or all three combined).

 

[jazz1]

I use Topical Finasteride and that’s with added 15% minoxidi, I usually wait half hour but now I’m used to straight away after some years derma rolling.