2% minoxidil, once a day

[labellavita1985]

Hey guys, I really need some input on this ....minoxidil 2%, once a day, will it do anything? I think if I could just stop shedding so much my hair would look ok, thicker, because I think I have very early Androgenetic Alopecia and I'm not seeing a lot of scalp at all. So if I'm not banking on regrowth necessarily, can 2% minoxidil once a day help me? To just stop the loss? I'm also on oral spironolactone and an estrogen and progesterone containing oral contraceptive so I am not as worried about DHT right now, unless I find that my Androgenetic Alopecia is very aggressive, in which case I will probably take finestaride. I also take oral castor oil and supplement lots of vitamins and minerals because I had significant iron deficiency anemia last year. In fact, I think my hair loss might be mostly CTE, the only thing that makes me think I also have underlying Androgenetic Alopecia is the fact that I shed miniaturized looking hairs, and a scalp biopsy found a slightly higher number of vellus and intermediate hairs (but it also found evidence of CTE, so it was inconclusive ultimately.) All this given, can 2% minoxidil help me by stopping shedding, and thereby thickening my hair? My #1 problem by far with my hair is excessive shedding.

I'm also a female and minoxidil is supposed to be more effective for women.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pavi]

Minoxidil will more than likely help you. You will have to apply it every day and never miss a single application if you really want to see solid results. It will take a minimum of 4 months to assess whether or not minoxidil will work for you. Overall, I say do it and do it consistently. Be patient and look into a 2% ketoconazole shampoo

 

[labellavita1985]

Pavi, thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it. I won't miss any applications. I have tried 2% ketoconazole on a few occasions, but it makes me shed soo much, and shedding is my biggest problem, as I said. And it makes my hair look horrible. I do however use an OTC shampoo containing ketoconazole, not sure of the percentage.

Anyone else wanna chime in?

If shedding is reduced, hair will get thicker right? Right now I have an increased number of hairs in telogen. If those shed and begin a new anagen phase, and that phase is lengthened from minoxidil, my hair will look thicker, right? More of my hair will be in anagen at the same time? Can 2% once a day accomplish this?

 

[labellavita1985]

K9, obviously it doesn't make a difference to me whether I use 2% or 5%, the routine is the same. The reason I don't want to use 5% is because of the alleged skin aging side effects. I am already a smoker who is really really struggling to quit, I don't want another lifestyle factor contributing to wrinkles, etc. Make sense?

 

[megatron1234]

K9, obviously it doesn't make a difference to me whether I use 2% or 5%, the routine is the same. The reason I don't want to use 5% is because of the alleged skin aging side effects. I am already a smoker who is really really struggling to quit, I don't want another lifestyle factor contributing to wrinkles, etc. Make sense?

Those side effects tend to occure when you abuse the product. Regardless if people tell you they haven't abused of it,they most likely have... and by that i mean they put alot more then the recommended dosage on their scalp. i would suggest 1ml 5% minoxidil, 2 times daily. Stick to the recommended dosage and the chance of you getting side effects are very minimal. You should see results eventually,just be aware that shedding will occure. You also seem to not be ready for certain symptoms,so maybe you should just stop and keep on smoking instead since cigarettes does tend to age people and also has alot of aweful long term ailments that come with it.

 

[Pavi]

K9, obviously it doesn't make a difference to me whether I use 2% or 5%, the routine is the same. The reason I don't want to use 5% is because of the alleged skin aging side effects. I am already a smoker who is really really struggling to quit, I don't want another lifestyle factor contributing to wrinkles, etc. Make sense?

I go through a month's supply of rogaine in 2.5 weeks. I use it all over my head. I have no skin aging... People see this on the Internet and then look and analyze their skin which is something they never have done before. They then freak out and think their normal aging is minoxidil. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[Saurabhaj]

2%...hahaha..

My senior Dermatologist mam said 2% don't even work in women's, how can you be so lame to hope it will work on males...

Never do this mistake...

 

[Pavi]

2%...hahaha..

My senior Dermatologist mam said 2% don't even work in women's, how can you be so lame to hope it will work on males...

Never do this mistake...

OP is a female

 

[labellavita1985]

Actually a study showed that 2% used twice a day IS as effective as 5% once a day.

Don't see how asking a question about 2% efficacy makes me lame, but whatever.