Add Retin-A to minoxidil. 5%, or just increase minoxidil.%

[uncle_beans]

Hey guys
Has anyone here had any positive effects with Retin-A?
I've heard it really utilizes the absorbtion/effectivness of minoxidil.
Dr. Lee told me Retin-A was originally useful when 2% minoxidil. was once the highest you could get, but now is not required with higher % of minoxidil.
I've been using 5% minoxidil. for 6 months now and its been great, but I'm not seeing a dramatic improvement from using it now these days.

 

[Bryan]

Has anyone here had any positive effects with Retin-A?
I've heard it really utilizes the absorbtion/effectivness of minoxidil.

Retin-A has also been shown in one study to have hair growth stimulating properties of its own, like when it's used WITHOUT any minoxidil at all! So it would probably be good to use for hair, even aside from its ability to help increase the absorption of minoxidil.

Dr. Lee told me Retin-A was originally useful when 2% minoxidil. was once the highest you could get, but now is not required with higher % of minoxidil.

That doesn't even make any sense, and Dr. Lee should know better than to say that. Both 2% and 5% versions of Rogaine turn into the same thing when you apply them to your scalp: saturated solutions of minoxidil in propylene glycol. It's just that you get MORE of that saturated solution when you apply the 5% version. You can achieve the same thing by simply applying a larger quantity of 2% Rogaine.

I've been using 5% minoxidil. for 6 months now and its been great, but I'm not seeing a dramatic improvement from using it now these days.

Surely you don't expect to continue to see improvements just from using minoxidil, do you? All minoxidil does is just give you an extra offset of growth for hair. It doesn't even interfere with the fundamental balding process, in my opinion.

 

[KeepTheHair]

Yeah, I agree. That is a really good response Bryan.

I think Retin-A is something I am going to add to my regimen, regardless of what % minoxidil I use.

Also, you definitely have to have something that counteracts DHT etc. Since minoxidil will start losing the battle at 2-3 years into treatment since your follicles are still being "attacked" by DHT. Minoxidil only keeps them in the anagen phase. It doesn't lose it's effect but too much damage will be done to your hair. Thats why I use finasteride and topical spironolactone.

 

[uncle_beans]

Good responces guys, I appreciate it.
I have just ordered .025% retin-a off dr. lee's site.
Unfortunately he doesn't explain the reason as to why someone would consider .5% over .025% ... So I figured I would try .025% and see how I go from there... Obviously .5% is stronger, but he doesn't place a scenario as to when someone would use .5%

So does retin-a only coincide with utilizing absorbtion for minoxidil.? Or does it utilize absorbtion for anything you place topically on your head?

I guess what I'm trying to say is - I am going to use retin-a at night, then minoxidil. then wait 10 mins and apply spironolactone, and folligen.
I assume retin-a will have its advantages with spironolactone and folligen? Or it just takes effect with minoxidil.?

Hmm... Hopefully its a simple answer haha

Cheers guys

 

[Bryan]

So does retin-a only coincide with utilizing absorbtion for minoxidil.? Or does it utilize absorbtion for anything you place topically on your head?

The effect wouldn't be specific to minoxidil. It should assist the absorption of anything you put on your scalp, I would imagine.

 

[Private Ryan]

Good responces guys, I appreciate it.
I have just ordered .025% retin-a off dr. lee's site.
Unfortunately he doesn't explain the reason as to why someone would consider .5% over .025% ... So I figured I would try .025% and see how I go from there... Obviously .5% is stronger, but he doesn't place a scenario as to when someone would use .5%

So does retin-a only coincide with utilizing absorbtion for minoxidil.? Or does it utilize absorbtion for anything you place topically on your head?

I guess what I'm trying to say is - I am going to use retin-a at night, then minoxidil. then wait 10 mins and apply spironolactone, and folligen.
I assume retin-a will have its advantages with spironolactone and folligen? Or it just takes effect with minoxidil.?

Hmm... Hopefully its a simple answer haha

Cheers guys

i assume you are saying 0.05% but not 0.5%.

there are study that use 0.05% too. no doubt the effect of 0.05% will be stronger here. but we need to find a balance between benefit and side effect.

Retin-A is like chemical peel therefore it effect does not affect only minoxidil. also, you do not have to use topical one after another to benefit from it. Retin-A work even if you apply other topical at 2 ends of a day :woot: