>> Hair Loss Treatment Information Forums > General Hair Loss Discussion > Question about minoxidil alternatives

Pages (3): [1] 2 3 [Next Page] [Last Page]
unfortunate
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2010
Posts: 94
 		I'm new the board but have been reading for a while. I'm a 26 year old male who has been struggling with hair loss for a while. I first noticed it when I was 17 with a receeded hairline which hasn't really gotten any worse with the years. The rest of my hair was very thick all over until my early twenties, when I started losing a lot more. I tried some natural alternatives for a while but didn't get great results ( I may not have stuck it out long enough though either). At age 23 I started trying different minoxidil solutions - Promox, Spectral DNC off and on. Both gave me good results. I recently went off promox about a year ago because of sides (breast pain and puffiness) and just overall feeling lethargic. I switched to laser helmet (messiah - 450 LED's) after going off minox cold turkey and the shed started and continued for months and just kept getting worse- it was probably the worst my hair ever got. So out of desperation I got on spectral dnc again for 4-5 months and it really helped thicken my hair up again and I even see quite a few dark little hairs all over my receeded hairline that has been smooth with vellous hair since I was 17. There is only one problem now - I am getting what I like to call "minox face" - it seems to happen anytime I use minoxidil based solutions - dry skin (more wrinkly), horrbile puffy dark circles under the eyes and just more of a haggard and puffy look to my face.

I have a few questions... Maybe for people that are exeperienced with natural alternatives, like Jaydee and some of the other guys... Is there any way I can get off the minox and minimize the shed while working with some natural alternatives (diet, topicals) to continue to stimluate healthy hair growth? Are there any minoxidil like natural solutions that might work the same way, but without the horrible side effects?

I'm open to any ideas and input people might have.

Show This Message in Printable Format 1/30/2010 4:07 PM
Last On: 6/6/10 7:08 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
dhtloather1
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jun 2009
Posts: 224
 		Sorry to tell you but I don't think there's anything that works as good as Minox and Fin. Some people say they've had success with other stuff but I dont know and wouldn't bother because there are hundreds of products that CLAIM to stop hairloss but it's not practical to try every one of them to find out which one works and which doesn't. I'm sticking to minox -though it's Dr. Lee's Xandrox this time since the Kirkland brand that I'd been using for years was too greasy and irritating- and I'm also taking Fin and Avodart.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/8/2010 12:32 PM
Last On: 10/24/10 1:24 AM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
unfortunate
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2010
Posts: 94
 		Yeah, I do know that is the general consensus in the mainstream medical practice, but I have to believe there is something that will give us at least similar results without these horrible side effects. I don't think the side effects are worth it. I'm still on the search for that holy grail.

Thanks for leaving a note by the way. You seem to be the only one in over a week.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/8/2010 1:38 PM
Last On: 6/6/10 7:08 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
Zixcreator
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2009
Posts: 415
 		Unfortunate. I'm assuming you are having side effects from 5% minox or higher. We have some data to support the fact that 2% minox is about 2/3's as effective as the 5% stuff. This would reduce systemic absorption of minox by more than 50% and you would still, in theory, retain 2/3's the benefit. It may be enough to get rid of the side effects.

There are also some natural things you could add to the minox to help make it more effective as well. Things that reduce DHT or block the receptor sites for DHT.



Last Edited On Feb-8-2010 at 5:49 PM.

Show This Message in Printable Format 2/8/2010 3:24 PM
Last On: 10/24/10 4:56 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
unfortunate
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2010
Posts: 94
 		Thanks for the suggestion Zix. I actually used a few batches of Super Zix II a while back, but my scalp didn't seem to get a long with it very well even after reducing the alcohol level. I am looking for something that stimulates hair growth, but at the same time doesn't have the horrible sides I've had with Minox/propecia. It seems I am really prone to systemic side effects, even from a very low concentration of topical propecia (Promox). These drugs just suck period. I am not convinced that reducing DHT is really the way to beat this thing. I think DHT might be something that starts a chain re-action that ultimately causes the fibrosis and damage etc, but I know dht is absolutely essential for the male body. I'm still searching for that something that beats hair loss without beating what makes us men.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/10/2010 12:12 AM
Last On: 6/6/10 7:08 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
knowingyou
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Sep 2008
Posts: 123
 		@unfortunate,

How about the procyanidin b2 ?? Have you had a look at it? I think Lava212 is using it, and may have a positive effect on hairloss. He is getting it from www.applepoly.com .

Show This Message in Printable Format 2/10/2010 5:28 AM
Last On: 9/25/10 10:38 AM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
unfortunate
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2010
Posts: 94
 		Knowingyou - I think Lava is taking the pill form of it and it might help, but I think I'm getting the internals down pretty well. I'm looking for a topical that might help - maybe proxiphen-N or dermaheal. I haven't read too many positives on proxiphen-n so I may have to go with Dermaheal. It's just tough, because quitting minoxidil even slowly is already producing a shed and I know things will only get worse for a while. This disease really sucks, but I'm gonna keep fighting it.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/10/2010 10:31 AM
Last On: 6/6/10 7:08 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
nonstop
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Nov 2006
Posts: 346
 		I'm in the same boat as yourself. The regular rograin caused my scalp to become flaky, so it didn't seem right. I used spectral.dnc and was getting some head rush so though its better not risk it. At the moment I use nizoral cream and emu oil along with Zinc and PTO shampoo in rotation. I wouldn't say this is the solution, but i'm just trying to do some thing. I have been interested in using hydrocortizine cream, but i'm not sure how risky it could be.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/11/2010 7:50 PM
Last On: 10/1/10 8:54 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
unfortunate
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Jan 2010
Posts: 94
 		Nonstop, you and I probably share a lot in common when it comes to being sensitive to hair loss drugs. I am going to get some hydrocortizone cream tomorrow (OTC) and apply it as Jaydee advised for maybe a week (every night) and then lower it to every other night, and then maybe once a week after that to see how it goes. I think at the very least using Hydro for such short periods of time won't do damage, especially not at 1 percent concentration - at least this should deal with the immune attack side of hair loss. There are many other factors, I know, but I intend to fight them with natural Internals as well as topicals. Either way, I know hydro is not going to be nearly as harsh on my body as minox/propecia.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/12/2010 2:50 AM
Last On: 6/6/10 7:08 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
Jocko59
Regrowth.com Member

Registered: Aug 2008
Posts: 156
 		Unfortunate: ApplePoly also has a procyanidin b2 topical in addition to it's apple poly capsules. So you can always try their topical spray if you want to try an minox alternative.
Show This Message in Printable Format 2/12/2010 8:39 AM
Last On: 10/24/10 1:32 PM View This Member's Profile View Other Posts By This Member Alert the Moderator or Forward This Message
Pages (3): [1] 2 3 [Next Page] [Last Page]
QuickReply >> To respond, enter your message below or click [POST REPLY] for more options.
  You are not logged in. To post, log in or register.  
All times are in local Central Standard Time. The current time is 02:24:07 AM.
Post New Thread