Starting minoxidil - Need advice/help :)

[shwareb]

Hey guys, I have been on dutasteride 0,5 mg/day for 21 months and before that I was on finasteride 1 mg/day for 8 months. I have experienced stabilization and thickening on dutasteride but I still want more hair. I looked into minoxidil and it seems like the logical next addition to my regimen. For convenience I wanted oral minoxidil but it seems to have many side effects and I don’t think it is even sold legally where I live (Sweden). Therefore I have conceded that even though it will be a hassle I will go for topical minoxidil. I have read that the foam is easier to apply and more gentle on the scalp, is that true? Does the brand make any difference or is for example Kirkland just as effective as Rogaine? Any other tips you have for me?
Looking forward to your answers!

 

[Norwoody]

The foam is better on the scalp because it does not contain PG like the liquid version. I don't believe the brand really matters. Oral is definitely way more effective, though.

 

[shwareb]

The foam is better on the scalp because it does not contain PG like the liquid version. I don't believe the brand really matters. Oral is definitely way more effective, though.

What oral dose are you on bro? Side effects?

 

[Norwoody]

What oral dose are you on bro? Side effects?

I'm currently on a high dose 10mg once or twice a day. I sometimes get puffy eyelids if I'm doing it twice a day. I get palpitations for a few seconds a few times a week. But at a much lower dose, say 2.5mg once a day, the side effects aren't very noticeable at all. I'm just using a super high dose to get regrowth, and eventually I plan on dropping the dose down for maintenance.

 

[shwareb]

I'm currently on a high dose 10mg once or twice a day. I sometimes get puffy eyelids if I'm doing it twice a day. I get palpitations for a few seconds a few times a week. But at a much lower dose, say 2.5mg once a day, the side effects aren't very noticeable at all. I'm just using a super high dose to get regrowth, and eventually I plan on dropping the dose down for maintenance.

How about edema and hypertrichosis? I am already quite hairy...

 

[Norwoody]

How about edema and hypertrichosis? I am already quite hairy...

Body hair has grown like crazy at such high doses. I can't say how much for the lower doses, but it would likely still increase it a bit. I don't have edema. I only get some puffiness in the face. But that isn't as bad when I lower the doses and exercise. If you are fit, I doubt you would get much side effects from small doses.

 

[shwareb]

Body hair has grown like crazy at such high doses. I can't say how much for the lower doses, but it would likely still increase it a bit. I don't have edema. I only get some puffiness in the face. But that isn't as bad when I lower the doses and exercise. If you are fit, I doubt you would get much side effects from small doses.

Ah I see bro! Did you every try topical minoxidil?

 

[Norwoody]

Ah I see bro! Did you every try topical minoxidil?

I tried liquid and foam for a couple years off and on. The liquid ended up bothering my scalp because of the PG. The foam is definitely the way to go as far as topicals are concerned, but it's just not very powerful. I believe 2.5mg oral is more effective.

 

[shwareb]

I tried liquid and foam for a couple years off and on. The liquid ended up bothering my scalp because of the PG. The foam is definitely the way to go as far as topicals are concerned, but it's just not very powerful. I believe 2.5mg oral is more effective.

Ah okay I see! Thanks for the tip about the foam. Yeah probably oral is better! I read about RU55841. Is that something that you tried too?

 

[Norwoody]

I just started RU 2 weeks ago and so far it seems like the hair shafts have gotten some thickening at the base, vellus are getting longer.

 

[shwareb]

I just started RU 2 weeks ago and so far it seems like the hair shafts have gotten some thickening at the base, vellus are getting longer.

Are you using the powder and mixing it with a vehicle. If so, what’s the vehicle?

 

[Norwoody]

No, I'm buying it premixed from Anageninc. It's in a KB solution.

 

[shwareb]

No, I'm buying it premixed from Anageninc. It's in a KB solution.

Ah I see, I saw on youtube that Kevin Mann bought it in powder form cause he said the solution wasn’t as stable or smth like that. What is KB solution?

 

[Norwoody]

Ah I see, I saw on youtube that Kevin Mann bought it in powder form cause he said the solution wasn’t as stable or smth like that. What is KB solution?

I saw that too, but I think he buys it in bulk, like a one year supply at a time. Derek from moreplatesmoredates uses the premixed version. It's supposed to be good for about 6 months even without refrigeration. I think you just need to avoid shaking and stirring it. 60% Ethanol, 35% Deionized Water, and 5% K&B Emulsifiers. Not sure exactly what the K&B is, but for me, it doesn't leave a flaky residue like PG does.

 

[shwareb]

I saw that too, but I think he buys it in bulk, like a one year supply at a time. Derek from moreplatesmoredates uses the premixed version. It's supposed to be good for about 6 months even without refrigeration. I think you just need to avoid shaking and stirring it. 60% Ethanol, 35% Deionized Water, and 5% K&B Emulsifiers. Not sure exactly what the K&B is, but for me, it doesn't leave a flaky residue like PG does.

Ah okay makes sense to buy premixed version then! Great that it doesn’t leave a flaky residue. So you are on finasteride/dutasteride, ru55841 and oral min? That’s your regimen atm?

 

[Norwoody]

Ah okay makes sense to buy premixed version then! Great that it doesn’t leave a flaky residue. So you are on finasteride/dutasteride, ru55841 and oral min? That’s your regimen atm?

Some people don't have any scalp issues with PG, so it depends on the individual. It's cheaper than KB. I just respond adversely to PG.

I'm not on any inhibitors actually. I got reflex hyperandrogenicity from finasteride. It's quite rare. So I'm just on oral minoxidil, RU, bi-estro cream, and castor oil. I just started RU and bi-estro 2 weeks ago. I was previously using fluridil as a topical. But I'm looking for more regrowth.

 

[shwareb]

Some people don't have any scalp issues with PG, so it depends on the individual. It's cheaper than KB. I just respond adversely to PG.

I'm not on any inhibitors actually. I got reflex hyperandrogenicity from finasteride. It's quite rare. So I'm just on oral minoxidil, RU, bi-estro cream, and castor oil. I just started RU and bi-estro 2 weeks ago. I was previously using fluridil as a topical. But I'm looking for more regrowth.

Ah okay, I usually have sensitive skin so probably should go with the KB. I am sorry to hear you got reflex hyperandrogenicity. I have heard oral minoxidil is so strong you might not even need a DHT-inhibitor. Is castor oil really effective?

 

[Norwoody]

That's exactly what happened with me - the typical regimen of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil wasn't nearly as effective for me as oral minoxidil and a topical antiandrogen. I was shedding like crazy on the first regimen, but now my shedding is virtually gone.

Castor oil isn't as effective as any of those kinds of drugs, but I do believe it helps. At the very least it seems to improve the quality of the hair. It also helps healing from needling. I tried it topically and it worked, but it clogged my pores and gave me acne. So I'm just doing oral now, a couple mL a day.