Yabala

Hello. I have a 0.025% topical finasteride. Can l use it three times a week ? If yes, will it still be effective ?

Regards

28 minutes ago, Melvin- Admin said:

Thanks Melvin. I'm gonna add a question. I have a 0.025% topical finasteride, Can l use it three times a week? If yes, will it still be effective ?

Hello. What is the safest protocol to avoid or at least minimize side effects with topical finasteride or/and topical dutasteride ? 

On 9/28/2023 at 2:31 AM, Melvin- Moderator said:

It’s impossible to have a topical not absorb to some degree. I think the threshold is different for everyone, which is why some tolerate certain topicals and others don’t. 

Yes you're right

Pharmacy Darwin from Bruxelles told me that trichosol is the vehicle they use for not going systemic. 

On 9/13/2023 at 6:45 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

I don’t know about them, but what is their vehicle? In my opinion, a silicone based liposomal vehicle is best because it suspends the drug on your scalp, and it absorbs very slowly.

They use a silicone based liposomal vehicle for finasteride gel and they use trichosol for topical finasteride in spray. I'm going to be using topical finasteride in spray with trichosol because they told me that topical finasteride with trichosol will stay on the scalp and won't be that systemic. 

7 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

The dosage doesn’t matter as much as the vehicle. If you’re in the US, Xyon is what I use. If you’re in Europe, check our Farmacia Parati. 

Thanks Melvin for the details. I'm in Europe actually, l was aslo thinking about the pharmacy Darwin in Belgium, Do you know something about it?

10 minutes ago, UKLad81 said:

Hi friend, i tried the HIMS version of topical finasteride and Minox for about a month, applied it once daily at night. On day 2 of applying it i felt some sides but carried on with it hoping things would stop. Unfortunately, didn’t stop after a month and gave it up. I agree with the above it is messy and can be a bit of a pain in the ar$e to apply. Anyhow, i guess it depends on the individual. I’m now taking 0.5mg oral finasteride and so far i seem to react better. 

To answer your questions, i dont think there is a right or wrong answer it would probably depend on how your body reacts to it. Stay in touch with your prescriber and tell them if you feel any sides, is my advice. 

Thanks man for the details 

13 minutes ago, Gatsby said:

Hi @Yabala. I developed sexual side effects on oral Finasteride after several attempts over a couple of years. From taking it at 1mg a day to microdosing. I have been prescribed 0.25% topical Finasteride and have yet to develop sexual side effects. Now it could be that the dose has not gone systemic for some reason. It’s also messy to apply at night like minoxidil but it’s worth it. Having said that I would highly encourage you to ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after applying it. All the best. 

Thanks for the details 

Hello. I'm going to be using topical finasteride soon and l have got some questions.  1- What is the safest protocol to avoid side effects ? ( it seems Melvin talked bout it in his videos) 2- What is the safest protocol to avoid side effects if I want to conceive children ? Thanks 

24 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

I apply it 5x per week. I use 2%

Why 5x per week and not 7 ?

35 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

The safest is the one with the best vehicle. A lower percentage doesn’t mean less chance of side effects. In my experience, a topical with a silicone based liposomal vehicle is best. Safest when used 1x per week.

Melvin, Do you apply topical dutasteride everyday ? What percentage you use ? 

Hello. What is the best and safest dosage for topical dutasteride ? 

On 9/1/2020 at 8:08 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Regardless, if you’re a bald Norwood 6/7 why on earth would you take all these risks? Early onset dementia, potential aggressive prostate cancer, just to maintain higher sides or a smaller crown, end of the day you’re still bald. The general public don’t see a difference between Norwood 5 to 7 they just see bald. 

So what you wrote is that starting finasteride for advanced Norwoods(5,6 and 7) is too late? Even if it is to keep the crown high and dense at the back and keep the lateral humps high ? 

1- How can I minimize side effects with topical finasteride ? 2- I'm planning on having kids so if my wife and myself are trying to conceive, should l stop finasteride ? If yes,how long should l stop it before conception ? And should l stop it for all the duration of the pregnancy ?     Thanks 

1 minute ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Norwood 5 pattern, but the bridge is still there, so currently Norwood 4. You should ABSOLUTELY consider medication.

Thanks Melvin. I think l will consider topical finasteride but l have some questions. 1- How can I minimize side effects ? 2- I'm planning on having kids so if my wife and myself are trying to conceive, should l stop finasteride ? If yes,how long should l stop it before conception ? And should l stop it for all the duration of the pregnancy ?

47 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

I mean you have A LOT to lose. You might get regrowth, but you have thousands of grafts that could be saved. You’re NW 4v currently, on meds maybe 3V. It’s not like you’re slick bald with nothing to gain or lose. 

I get it. It sounds that it worth it. You say l'm Norwood 4, I would have said Norwood 5.

29 minutes ago, YodaHead said:

@Yabala

Will it help your existing hair (on crown, mid-scalp, front, back, everywhere) look healthier/thicker and delay the process of male pattern baldness? Yes.

Will it reverse your loss and fill your head with a densely packed hair? Nope.

So whether something is worth it or not depends on your goal and expectations.

My goal is to have a HT from frontal hairline to vertex. 

8 minutes ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

You would actually benefit a lot. There’s a bridge that can be restored with meds. Furthermore, without meds the crown is likely to expand and drop. 

When you say l would benefit a lot you mean l can expect some regrowth ?

So if l did understand what you wrote starting finasteride now is still worth it? 

So even if l'm an advanced Norwood you guys think it's still worth it to start finasteride ? But if l start finasteride now it will only slows down hair loss and maintain my crown dense and high righ?! I mean the regrowth that may occur won't be so significant. 

Thanks for the details guys. Tell me if l'm right or wrong but if l did understand the only interest in using finasteride for advanced Norwoods(5,6 and 7) is to keep my crown dense and high in order for me to undergo several hair transplants. Am l right ?

Hi Melvin, here are pictures of me. So according to your answers guys,there is no categoric answers to my question. I guess that the only interest in using finasteride for advanced Norwoods (5, 6 and 7) is to keep and maintain a dense and high crown for several hair transplants. Am l right ?

Finasteride would not change anything except maintaining my crown dense coz l have lost most of my native hair. So you're sure ?