Alcohol in minoxidil makes it worse?

[hans]

So as I was rummaging through the internet to learn more about male pattern baldness, I tripped on lipoxidil.com which says that the constant application of alcohol (which is present in almost all minoxidil formulas) can be a deterrent to hair growth. I think the reasoning is the microinflammation it causes. Do you buy this?

Also, every so often i do feel itchiness on where i apply my minoxidil but I don't think it's as bad as most people's description when they have minoxidil irritation. Does everyone who apply minoxidil at least get a bit of itchiness every so often?

 

[Aplunk1]

I don't buy it.

Minoxidil is FDA approved to help revitalize follicles... not to act as a deterrent.

As for itchiness... I used to have it really bad, but my scalp has calmed down now. I apply about 3ml per application -- I have a lot of ground to cover-- then I wait about 10 minutes and apply Tricomin.

Very little irritation these days.

 

[Siberian]

So as I was rummaging through the internet to learn more about male pattern baldness, I tripped on lipoxidil.com which says that the constant application of alcohol (which is present in almost all minoxidil formulas) can be a deterrent to hair growth. I think the reasoning is the microinflammation it causes. Do you buy this?

Also, every so often i do feel itchiness on where i apply my minoxidil but I don't think it's as bad as most people's description when they have minoxidil irritation. Does everyone who apply minoxidil at least get a bit of itchiness every so often?

I've been wondering the same thing. Wherever I apply the minoxidil, my scalp dries out to the point of flaking off a bit. I don't normally have dandruff, it's just that the alcohol dries it out so badly.

I'd been applying it heavily on the areas balding the most... and now I'm paranoid that it's *causing* the balding there, lol. But I also went off Propecia for 9 months (back on it now), so that's much more likely the cause.

I've ordered Nizoral to combat the inflammation and irritation.

 

[hair_tomorrow]

So as I was rummaging through the internet to learn more about male pattern baldness, I tripped on lipoxidil.com which says that the constant application of alcohol (which is present in almost all minoxidil formulas) can be a deterrent to hair growth. I think the reasoning is the microinflammation it causes. Do you buy this?

Also, every so often i do feel itchiness on where i apply my minoxidil but I don't think it's as bad as most people's description when they have minoxidil irritation. Does everyone who apply minoxidil at least get a bit of itchiness every so often?

I've been wondering the same thing. Wherever I apply the minoxidil, my scalp dries out to the point of flaking off a bit. I don't normally have dandruff, it's just that the alcohol dries it out so badly.

I'd been applying it heavily on the areas balding the most... and now I'm paranoid that it's *causing* the balding there, lol. But I also went off Propecia for 9 months (back on it now), so that's much more likely the cause.

I've ordered Nizoral to combat the inflammation and irritation.

If you're looking for some immediate, inexpensive relief from the itchies - go to wal-mart, target, rite-aid or your local drugstore and get a bottle of 100% pure aloe vera gel. Stuff's really inexpensive and provides a nice cooling sensation to your scalp.

If you want to get a bit pricier - a lot of guys swear by pure emu oil to combat the itchies.

 

[Solo]

I have switched a month ago to Kirkland minoxidil. Before I was using a less concentrated generic-minoxidil alcohol sollution.

I´ve been experiencing an itch after application since my switch that I haven´t experienced since I firstly applied my generic minoxidil (3y ago). I got some initial regrowth back then, but I quit (stupidly, I know) and when I got back---> no itch, no regrowth, nothing.

But now the after application itch is back (it´s kind of subtle) and I think that this is a good signal. Too early to say it´s doing something better as I´ve been only a month in the stuff, but I think that its higher concentration in alcohol is enhancing the penetration of the stuff. Or something.