Hair Loss

[k710]

I'm making the change from topical Minoxidil to oral. What are your thoughts/experiences on 2.5mg vs 5 mg daily.

This article states 2.5mg can be as effective as 5mg for hair growth, but it has significant limitations.

Oral Minoxidil 2.5 mg vs 5 mg: Similar Efficacy for AGA

Oral minoxidil at a 2.5 mg daily dose is as effective as 5 mg for androgenetic alopecia in men, with fewer adverse events and better tolerability.

www.medscape.com

Thanks for sharing that

I just saw my derm recently and followed up with my primary for her opinion on hair and accutane treatment that was suggested. She spent about 45 minutes with me while pulling up the latest research study findings and sifting through the data with me.

Derm wanted to just start me on finasteride right away to not "screw around and wait till it gets bad" since im just having early signs, but I was hesitant since it feels like the most aggresive treatment option. Primary agreed with my approach of using topicals first to halt any loss and jump to finasteride when I feel the need.

The studies showed that Finasteride is the best option for hair regrowth, but that it was much more effective when paired with topical Minoxidil. Finasteride + Minoxidil topical was the golden combination with best success rates and long term results.

I understand you guys wanting to use oral minoxidil over an actual dht blocker like finasteride (that what I chose to do as well). But might want to look into the success rates between oral minoxidil and oral + topical application of minoxidil.

My derm or primary dont know Im taking test, so they think its just bad genetics.. But I know why the shedding really started lol This is why im still using topical dht blocker KXM.

Minoxidil 1x/day,
KXM 1x/day,
Clobetasol topical 5x/week
Ketakonozole Shampoo 3x/week
Cerave non-medicated shampoo/conditioner 4x/week (rotate with keta)
CLF Shampoo - Salycylic Acid base shampoo (rotate with cerave weekly)

Things are going pretty well so far.

 

[BigDadd7]

I just saw my derm recently and followed up with my primary for her opinion on hair and accutane treatment that was suggested. She spent about 45 minutes with me while pulling up the latest research study findings and sifting through the data with me.

Derm wanted to just start me on finasteride right away to not "screw around and wait till it gets bad" since im just having early signs, but I was hesitant since it feels like the most aggresive treatment option. Primary agreed with my approach of using topicals first to halt any loss and jump to finasteride when I feel the need.

The studies showed that Finasteride is the best option for hair regrowth, but that it was much more effective when paired with topical Minoxidil. Finasteride + Minoxidil topical was the golden combination with best success rates and long term results.

I understand you guys wanting to use oral minoxidil over an actual dht blocker like finasteride (that what I chose to do as well). But might want to look into the success rates between oral minoxidil and oral + topical application of minoxidil.

My derm or primary dont know Im taking test, so they think its just bad genetics.. But I know why the shedding really started lol This is why im still using topical dht blocker KXM.

Minoxidil 1x/day,
KXM 1x/day,
Clobetasol topical 5x/week
Ketakonozole Shampoo 3x/week
Cerave non-medicated shampoo/conditioner 4x/week (rotate with keta)
CLF Shampoo - Salycylic Acid base shampoo (rotate with cerave weekly)

Things are going pretty well so far.

Ketocanzole shampoo can be very drying amd inflammatory on your scalp if used twice a week. Maybe drop down to once or twice a week.

 

[connoristiny]

If you're lucky and have enough scalp sulfotransferases then topical will work just fine. However, many people don't have enough in their scalp but they do have enough in their liver. This allows people to convert the minoxidil to the active form. This is why oral appears to be more effective.

As far as heart issues goes. The most common is elevated heart rate and palpitations which is not really "fucking up your heart." There is a dose Unrelated rate of pericarditis which is an inflammation of the sack that surrounds your heart. This is rare.

The most common reason for discontinuation by far is edema or swelling.

I notice mild edema around the ankles. At what point would this be problematic? (I am fairly lean if that is noteworthy)