I have questions about minoxidil, and other things...

[baldboy86]

Hey guys, new here and just getting ready to start my treatments.

Went to the doctor today and got a prescription for 5mg finasteride, and I want to get some minoxidil to go with it but I have some questions...

First off, is there a general consensus on the best brand and strength of minoxidil? And second of all, is there anything else I can take besides the finasteride and minoxidil that will help me? Wanna cover all the bases that I can. I've been balding for about 7-8 years now so I hope it's not too late. I wanna take this stuff for a few years and than see about getting surgery.

So that's all I've got so far, I appreciate any and all help.

 

[RhinestoneHLT]

Hey guys, new here and just getting ready to start my treatments.

Went to the doctor today and got a prescription for 5mg finasteride, and I want to get some minoxidil to go with it but I have some questions...

First off, is there a general consensus on the best brand and strength of minoxidil? And second of all, is there anything else I can take besides the finasteride and minoxidil that will help me? Wanna cover all the bases that I can. I've been balding for about 7-8 years now so I hope it's not too late. I wanna take this stuff for a few years and than see about getting surgery.

So that's all I've got so far, I appreciate any and all help.

Nizoral twice a week is proven to increase finasteride effectiveness.

 

[youngguyhairloss]

Hey guys, new here and just getting ready to start my treatments.

Went to the doctor today and got a prescription for 5mg finasteride, and I want to get some minoxidil to go with it but I have some questions...

First off, is there a general consensus on the best brand and strength of minoxidil? And second of all, is there anything else I can take besides the finasteride and minoxidil that will help me? Wanna cover all the bases that I can. I've been balding for about 7-8 years now so I hope it's not too late. I wanna take this stuff for a few years and than see about getting surgery.

So that's all I've got so far, I appreciate any and all help.

If i was you i'd try first using minoxidil foam without pg perhaps rogaine 5%. try it out and monitor your scalp for irritation and dandruff if nothing appears then continue use

 

[baldboy86]

Thanks guys!

Would it be advisable to be a little aggressive and go with 5mg finasteride a day instead of cutting the pills into 1.25mg? Or is that too risky with the potential side effects? I just figure the more finasteride the better...

 

[warner8]

minoxidil is minoxidil, just get on it, target, wall mart, costco brands as well as the brand name are all fine, just get it on it and stop worrying about which one is best; its all the same active ingredient.

however i will say, imo and use, the liquid is more potent than the foam.

 

[RatherGoBlindThanSeeItGo]

I've never used the liquid but I can say the foam is working for me and it's super easy. I apply it wherever it's needed (I put it on the hairline, a little bit on the crown and a little bit at the centre top of my head) and it dries very quickly. No scalp irritation, no mess. With the small amount I use the foam bottles are even lasting me longer than a month, but I haven't lost that much yet so no big areas to cover. I've been using it for about 2 months now, by itself, shedding is way down what it was and have some regrowth on the temples which had started receding a little (left side barely, right side a bit more).

I'm going to see how this goes for a few months and then I might try S5 cream (spironolactone). It is an antiandrogen like finasteride, but the way it works is slightly different. AFAIK it doesn't block DHT production, but it binds to the androgen receptors thereby blocking DHT from affecting the hair follicles. It's supposed to be pretty safe to use in cream (in pill form it's extremely potent and makes you more woman-like) http://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/treatments/topical-spironolactone/
If I try it I will do it instead of finasteride, but since they work differently you could do both.

I haven't tried it myself yet since I want to see what minoxidil does by itself for ~6 months before I add another treatment, that way I have a better idea whether or not any individual treatment really has an effect.

 

[megatron1234]

If you plan on using 5mg finasteride once a day I feel sorry for you.. Why would your doctor be stupid enough to prescribe you 5mg.. Either he is incompetent or you have not explained that you plan on cutting it in 4 peices??

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If you plan on using 5mg finasteride once a day I feel sorry for you.. Why would your doctor be stupid enough to prescribe you 5mg.. Either he is incompetent or you have not explained that you plan on cutting it in 4 peices??
You want to use finasteride in conjunction with minoxidil, twice daily, and I would use a 5% formula. Also add ketoconazole 2% shampoo twice a week. If you want to put the chances on your side, use all 3 right away, don't do silly experiments with just 1 treatment for 6 months, and then try another treatment for x amount of months. You are just wasting time. Also don't be an idiot and add any femininizing medication to your treatments, unless you are gay and already act like a sissy.

 

[baldboy86]

Soooo... that's a no go on 5mg finasteride? I was just asking because I figured if 1mg was good 5mg would be better....

 

[megatron1234]

Soooo... that's a no go on 5mg finasteride? I was just asking because I figured if 1mg was good 5mg would be better....

Your doctor told you to take 5mg finasteride? Very irresponsible and idiotic of him. Cut the pill in 4 and take 1.25mg daily.