alexmillne

Oral Minoxidil 1.25mg (is it enough?)

Hey there,

I've been taking Finasteride for two years, and I just got a hair transplant. My doctor suggested adding 1.25mg oral Minoxidil to help my new hair grow well and thicken the rest of my hair.

I'm curious if anyone else is on the low 1.25mg oral Minoxidil, and if you're seeing good results. I've noticed most people are using 2.5 to 5mg.

Thanks!

On 10/26/2023 at 3:13 PM, hairlossburner1234 said:

25 Week Postop Update: Things looking great. Can't see scar at the back of my head after 1 week of growth following a #1 buzz haircut. I think if I did a 1.5/2 you wouldn't see it at all.

Continuing with Fin 1mg daily. Derma roller 0.5mm twice a week. Oral minoxidil 1.25MG.

I was also prescribed oral minoxidil 1.25. May I ask why you went with that strength? I keep reading on the internet for men 2.5-5mg... hopefully the small dose is enough?

On 10/29/2023 at 9:43 PM, wprevil said:

You mention finasteride like youre strongly urging me to use it. To emphasis again, I cannot take any meds due to a pre-existing medical condition.

I'll be seeing Couto. But I did read that no matter how good a doctor is, shock loss may still occur. Skillful doctors don't guarantee against shock loss. Again, this is based on what I've read. Let me know what you think.

My understanding is that men over the age of 50 are less affected by DHT, so you might be able to forgo using Finasteride at this point. Senile alopecia typically occurs after this age. Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but this is what I recall from my readings.

Ive been thinking about this long and hard... What you guys think?:

 If you use it twice a day all over your scalp, you're more likely to cover every area than if you only do it once a day. You don't need a study to see that. For people with thinning hair like me, doing it twice a day is a good idea because it gives you a second chance to apply it in case you missed any spots during the morning application when you do it again in the evening.

Is my thinking wrong??

Also can someone explain the half life theory to me. 

20 minutes ago, WoundedWolf said:

For me I switched from topical to oral in 3 months I had heavy shedding like hell (topical was working great for me  )  now i started topical again along with oral lets see how it goes the problem is i started oral minox 5 months after my transplant so results also got delayed because of this mass shedding, I think if topical works then better to continue topical only , I thought that after taking oral shedding will stop in 2-2.5 months but it was getting very aggresive don't know why   

How long had you been using oral minoxidil before? Is it possible that the shedding isn't related to discontinuing topical minoxidil, but rather a common shedding occurrence when starting oral minoxidil?

26 minutes ago, Melvin- Admin said:

I doubt it’s fake if sourced directly from Costco. But if it’s bought on Amazon, there’s a chance it’s fake.

they say they source it/buy it directly from the USA. Hoping 🙏 I wish there could be a way i could test it

Kirkland Minoxidil foam - fake??

I got myself some Minoxidil foam from 'minoxidilworld.co.uk' since I couldn't find it here in Switzerland. I did a bit of digging and found that the liquid version is more prone to counterfeits, while the foam version seems trickier to fake, at least from what I've read.

Any of you folks done some research on this? Is it safe to order Kirkland Minoxidil foam online? I've been checking out a thread where someone said they haven't come across any fake foam versions yet:

4 minutes ago, TheGreatPretender said:

I've ordered from them and started their pills last month (after completing mine bought near the clinic in Spain) and thei're legit. I got the 10mg and split them in two since its more economical and you save alot by doing it. 

They also come with a score in the middle so if you get a cheap splitter you can just break them in two, its a bit of a pain in the start but you get used to it. 

thanks! I think im going to order them. How long did it take until you got them after ordering? I just got a hairtransplant like 4 weeks ago and was thinking of using topical minoxidil. But maybe i should just buy the oral version and use it, but dont want to wait that long for it as id like to start as soon as possible. Have you been using topical Minoxidil beforehand? If yes, for how long? 

10 minutes ago, TheGreatPretender said:

End of day to me it mostly resumes to sult activity in your folicles. If you have more on your head then topical might be more effective to you, if howeaver like the majority of people you dont have enough in there then its likely oral will be the better option.

I feel that Oral does have the advantage of getting systemic and reaching more easily to the folicles then topical because it essencially goes via the blood after already been converted to minoxidil sulfate starting in the liver which presents the sulfotransferaze enzyme activity that a lot of times is missing in the scalp. In a way it's similar to how oral DHT blockers are better than topical and how they reach the folicles via the bloodstream.

The less bald you are the more likely you are to respond, but this is merely my observation since Minoxidil's full mechanism is unknown right now so it goes on a person by person basis. 

thanks man. Oral Minoxidil is difficult to get in Switzerland. Do you know if its safe to buy Lonitab 5 Mg online through Alldaychemist? I think that is an online pharmacy shop in india but from what I heard many people buy their tretinoin for the faces on that webpage and it seems legit. Wondering now if the same goes for the oral minoxidil. 

Switching from Topical to Oral - Losing Ground and Efficacy?

I have two questions:

1. If oral Minoxidil is more effective than topical Minoxidil, should I, a 37-year-old with Norwood 2/3 hair loss, choose oral Finasteride and oral Minoxidil instead of oral Finasteride and topical Minoxidil to better combat hair loss in the long term?

2. If oral Minoxidil is better, why do some people say they lose more hair when they switch from topical Minoxidil to oral?

6 hours ago, Gatsby said:

I initially only topical minoxidil for a few years and then resorted to a hair piece due to MPB and scars from previous bad work and repair work for the next 25 years. I went back on topical minoxidil about two years or so ago and then a year ago I commenced 5mg oral minoxidil. This has definitely benefited my hair in terms of thickness for both scalp and beard hair in both the donor and transplanted area. No I wouldn't stop oral minoxidil as I would not want to risk losing any gains that I have made (unless I began to experience side effects to which I haven't had any at all so far).

My only issue why Im hesitent to go on oral minoxidil is because I already have low bloodpressure (mostly around 90/60) and because on my fathers side all the males died around age 50 from heart related issues (stroke, heart attack etc)

On 10/29/2023 at 5:04 PM, LeveledUp said:

Completely agree with this.

i switched and lost major ground.

Makes complete sense for topical to

more effective, if you’re a responder than oral.

If topical works don’t switch it’s as simple as that 

I just watched a video where a doctor claimed that using topical minoxidil is as effective as taking 0.5mg of oral minoxidil. I found it hard to believe. You can find this claim at the 1 hour and 45-minute mark in the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mAW4PmXw4M

On 10/8/2023 at 12:55 PM, Gatsby said:

The early studies stated it worked best in the crown because that was the area of application targeted. I started using topical minoxidil when it was first released here in Australia in 1987. It was prescribed by a dermatologist and I had to go to a hospital pharmacy to have it compounded. Originally it only came prescriped at 2%. Also it cost $150 a month back then. Today I can buy four months supply with no script for less than $50 from my pharmacy off the shelf! How times have changed!

Wow, you've been using topical minoxidil for quite a while! Have you ever noticed a point where it seemed less effective, or do you think it's still maintaining your hair? I'm curious if you've considered stopping its use at your age, and if so, whether you anticipate a significant hair loss, or if you've already experienced a gradual loss of the hair that relied on minoxidil over time.

Hey guys, quick question

I'm 37 years old and have been taking Finasteride for two years. My hairline is at a Norwood 2/3 stage, and I recently had a hair transplant to address it.

Now, I'm wondering if I should start using topical Minoxidil to get the best results. My hair is thinning a bit, and I've lost some volume. My vertex area is just starting to show signs of thinning. Should I start using topical Minoxidil daily, or should I save it for later when my hair loss gets worse? I've heard two different opinions. Some say the effects of topical Minoxidil wear off after 5-6 years, so it's better to save it for when you're losing more hair on the vertex. Others suggest using it now in the early stages to potentially stop hair loss for many years. What ya guys think?

Thanks for the advice

PS: Here are some photos of me right before getting a hair transplant for my receding hairline.

On 10/7/2023 at 6:18 PM, Melvin- Admin said:

Nonsense waste of money. 

May I ask why you say it is nonsense and a waste of money?

8 hours ago, Proportions said:

Sounds crazy. But who knows. I guess there is still a lot of discovery to be made in this field.

I could imagine this... I tell you why. there are rapports out there that body hair transplanted to the head starts taking characteristics of the head hair follicles, so why not also DHT? 

22 hours ago, Proportions said:

I watched this video, but I still didn't get a clear picture as to why the transplanted hair thins.

 

To me it seems: Some of the donor would have thinned out anyway even if it wasn't transplanted - and with some hair transplants we therefore see the transplanted hair thinning.

there is also such things as retrograde alopecia. Apparently it is very common and many people dont realise they have it. basically hairloss in the donor area

4 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

All of the above, donor hair is DHT resistant. Not DHT proof, as we age our hair thins. Hair transplants will thin around 15-20% in 20-30 years. Probably sooner without medication. 

Melvin, I like your posts because they're clear and on point. Are you in the medical field, or did you gain your knowledge over time? Thanks for sharing what you know – I've learned a lot from you!

On 8/3/2023 at 6:14 PM, Recession1 said:

Oral minoxidil is way more effective than topical and many prominent doctors have made that known. The percentage of oral minoxidil responders are also way higher than topical. I can speak from my experience…. I have used topical since I was 24…. I am 35 now and switched to oral 1 year ago. My hair now grows longer and thicker than ever. It also grows really fast. Another thing people don’t talk about is your donor hair. Not many people are applying topical monoxidil to their donor hair…. After 6 months on oral minoxidil my donor hair on the back and sides thickened up like crazy. There is no doubt oral minoxidil is more effective than topical.  I also have many friends who started on oral minoxidil than were on topical and it is night and day difference. There are even some surgeons saying that oral minoxidil is  better than finasteride… two different mechanisms but as far as hair growth oral minoxidil is better 

secondly, people are getting this all wrong. If you are a super responder to topical minoxidil, then topical minoxidil will be superior to oral minoxidil, because it actually working on the roots/scalp itself.

if you are a weak or none responder to topical minoxidil (which 60% are), then oral minoxidil will be waay better then topical

My advice: Try topical for a year. If you dont see great results, then switch to oral. 

If you had great results on topical and switch to oral, dont cry if you loose ground

On 10/27/2023 at 6:20 PM, Sunset Dune said:

It makes sense for topical to be more effective than oral minoxidil, I honestly wouldn’t recommend taking any form of minoxidil at all unless you have a weak donor. 

In the long term, Minoxidil causes heart problems, early aging, and once you start it you’re in it for life otherwise your hair returns to a worse condition than it was before. 

firstly this is not true. Broscience

Hello,

I recently underwent a hair transplant procedure after being diagnosed with genetic alopecia, primarily based on a visual assessment by a dermatologist. I had been taking Finasteride for two years before deciding to have a Trichoscope examination.

During the Trichoscope examination, the doctor's notes (you can read them in English at the bottom of the attached photo) suggested a possible diagnosis of Telogen Effluvium. While this was a term I wasn't familiar with, I was relieved that the doctor didn't mention significant hair miniaturization, worsening hair loss, or the ineffectiveness of my medication. I must admit that at the time, I didn't give it much thought.

This was my first and only Trichoscope examination, which I had never undergone before starting Finasteride treatment. About three months later, I sought a hair transplant with a different doctor. During the examination, this new doctor mentioned some miniaturization in my donor area. I then showed him the document indicating the possibility of Telogen Effluvium.

The doctor explained that the miniaturization in the donor area could be due to Telogen Effluvium or the effects of DHT on some of my hair follicles. I ultimately underwent a successful hair transplant.

Upon returning home, I delved into extensive research about donor areas and miniaturization. My panic set in when I discovered information about DUPA (Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia) and the recommendation that individuals with DUPA should avoid hair transplants. This revelation has left me in a state of anxiety, as I now wonder whether I might have DUPA instead of Telogen Effluvium. Strangely, I had never perceived thinning in my back hair; my primary concern had always been my receding hairline. I can't recall experiencing any noticeable excess shedding; my hair loss has consistently followed a slow and gradual progression.

It's important to note that I've always had very fine, wispy, and wavy hair.

I'm reaching out to this community in search of knowledgeable experts who can interpret the Trichoscope results and offer insights into whether I might have DUPA or Telogen Effluvium. Is it common for individuals with genetic alopecia to exhibit some degree of miniaturization in the donor area?

Thank you in advance for any assistance or guidance you can provide.

PS: Below, you'll find a few samples of my donor hair. One set of images shows my hair at a longer length, while the other set was taken after I had a fresh haircut at the hairdresser's. It's worth noting that all of these pictures were captured before my hair transplant.

On 10/7/2023 at 6:18 PM, Melvin- Admin said:

Nonsense waste of money. 

may I ask why you think it is nonsense? Im seriously considering taking it. It has studies to back it up. Im just worried that it is not a reputable company

I liked getting feedback on my new hairline. It's been lowered by about 1-2 centimeters, and we focused on making it thicker behind the hairline and around the temples. In total, they used 2394 grafts. Does it look like there are that many? My hair is naturally very fine and thin, so I wanted it to be densely packed.

I have a quick question: I noticed that you can purchase ORAL MINOX – 2.5MG on the anagenica.com website. Isn't this product usually only available with a prescription? I'm just curious because I thought a prescription was required for it.

well firstly... Can i ask you:

Did you notice individual hairs were thicker then usual

Or did you notice the density (how many hairs you have at once) has increased?