Goingat20
Senior Member
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This was posted by a veteran poster (bot sure of his nick)
I think it covers most products available and will be extremely helpful especially for newbies
What causes baldness?
Follicles are organs, and like transplanted organs, they can be seen by the immune system as foreign bodies and get rejected. This generally happens when the follicle is bound by too much DHT. Fighting DHT helps, but isn’t necessarily enough. Another effective means of combat is are an anti-inflammatory to soothe the skin and decrease the rejection factor.
Treatment Options
Prices are calculated by buying discount at reasonable bulk. Effectiveness is subjective. Treatments may have side effects not mentioned here.
DHT Inhibitor Internals
-Finasteride: $6/month (generic) $20/month (Proscar), effective, moderate potential impact on libido
-Dutasteride: $75/month(?), more effective, higher potential impact on libido
-Saw Palmetto: $1-2/month, Inhibits the DHT type that Finasteride doesn’t. Can create mood swings and contribute to decreased libido. I tried taking some on top of finasteride, and noticed both of these nasty side effects.
Other Internals
-Grape Seed Extract: $2/month at 100mg/day. Antioxidant fights free radicals, which helps irritation. Heres a thread on its side effects
-Green Tea Extract: $?. Similar effects as Grape Seed, it does not seem to be as effective/popular
-L-Arginine: $4 at 1000mg/day This supplement has many uses. It promotes HGH, Nitric Oxide (both apparently help hair and muscle growth) and helps the mojo. Oxhide, “The Man Himselfâ€, suggested in an old thread here working from 1000mg up to 3000mg/daily over the course of three months.
-L-Lysine: $?/month. While also an effective supplement, it appears to have an antagonistic relationship with L-Arginine, so taking both will be less effective then taking just one. Knowing that and L-Arginine’s impressive benefits, I haven’t bothered looking far into L-Lysine, but apparently it helps prevent outbreaks of cold sores.
I have also seen L-Arginine and L-Lysine used in topicals, such as the notable but dangerous Oz’s Brew
-MSM: $2 at1000mg/Day. This Suppliment does not improve follicle health in any way. It does, however, make hair (and nails) grow faster. If you are regrowing hair, this will help it fill in faster, though considering the slow rate of improvement, its unlikely to be terribly significant. It will, however, allow you to have longer hair. 1000mg/day wont provide a very significant change in growth rate. Funkster advised taking 3000mg in the morning and 3000mg for noticeable difference. MSM can also be used in topicals.
Topicals
-Minoxidil: $5-$10/month (Kirkland). Growth Stimulant. Moderately effective, but proven and widely used.
-6-Bap: ?$. Growth Stimulant. New/rediscovered treatment. Its very affordable, well hyped, good in theory, but I have not encountered any physical evidence of its effectiveness. I haven’t even found out how to mix the stuff yet.
-Zix: $2/month. DHT Inhibitor? Many people swear by this homemade topical. Sometimes requires double/triple strength for results. Zinc buildup/absorption may be a risk factor. Funkster mentioned rotating Copper Peptides (Folligen) may help balance this out.
-Spironolactone: $10/month. Antiandrogen. Most commonly used Antiandrogen, some claim they did not experience any regrowth until they added this to their regimen. Relatively inexpensive and effective (though not as effective as other Antiandrogen). Some complain systemic absorption has led to 'feminizing' side effects.
-Fluidril: $36/month. Antiandrogen? Am I right to classify this as such? If so, it is supposedly a more powerful antiandrogen then spironolactone, but there is little evidence to attest to this, as this drug was difficult to obtain until Funkster recently tipped us.
- RU 58841: $? Not openly obtainable. Antiandrogen? If so, the most powerful antiandrogen. If this drug becomes available and affordable, it seems it would easily replace spironolactone/Fluidril.
-17a Estradiol – $30/month. Converts testosterone into some form of estrogen? For some, apparently works better then spironolactone.
-Dutasteride (Topical): $?/month DHT Inhibitor. I was not even aware of this as a possibility until HLH's Farrel brought it up in their forums recently.
-Cyclosporin (Topical): $?/month. This drug can totally supress the immune reaction, allowing follicles to return to a strong, healthy state. Aparently this drug grows hair very well, though can be hard to absorb topically as its a large molecule. But the real reason this drug is not commonly used for hair loss is that it is VERY DANGEROUS! Systemic absorbtion can disable your immune system, which can lead to you getting very sick, and possibly even dying.
-Folligen: $20/month. SOD/Anti-Inflammatory/Growth Stimulant. Commonly used and accepted as a solid addition to a regimen.
-Aloe Vera: $1/month. Anti-Inflammatory/SOD?
-Emu Oil: $1/month (1,2). Anti-Inflammatory. I believe there was a study that showed emu oil could kick temple hair into the growth cycle, but otherwise it is simply a very effective Anti-Inflammatory. Applied after other topicals it creates an occlusive layer after you have applied all other topicals..this helps in absorption of these topicals
-Glucosamine Sulphate: I’ve read some positive posts about this, but I cant really find much on what its supposed to do.
Shampoos:
-Nizoral: A must.
-Nano: Expensive, this shampoo claims to double as a growth stimulant.
-TGel: Coal based shampoo that helps promote scalp health
-TSal
-Head and Shoulders: This shampoo supposedly increases Nizoral's effectiveness.
Other
Dermaroller:$37, Roller that punctures skin ‘without pain’ to increase topical absorption.
In conclusion
For DHT Inhibiting Internals, I’m going to stick with Finasteride. It seems like some serum DHT is a good thing to keep little Flux in working order, and the price of Dutasteride would break me if I wanted to add anything else. Saw Palmetto’s side effects are not worth it.
For Supplemental Internals, Grape Seed Extract is a sure thing. With L-Arginines many benefits, this seems like a sure winner. As for the others listed, Green Tea Extract seems like overkill.
Topicals: This is the killer. Having regrown some hair with minoxidil, and with its price so low, I would be hard pressed to give this up. 6-Bap is looking very good and I may just add this as well! It seems that a solid regimen should include either spironolactone, Fluidril, RU, or 17a. Considering prices, I think I will throw in spironolactone, perhaps rotating in Fluidril or 17a. Zix is almost too cheap not to use, but with some of the vague warnings I’ve heard, and how little documentation there has been on it, I think I will use it sparingly. Folligen is also in, though perhaps not at full dosage to help keep it affordable. Emu Oil is another highly affordable throw in, as it is a very effective anti-inflammatory.
As for shampoos, I dont think I can afford Nano, I already have nizoral and Tgel, but perhaps I'll pick up a bottle of Head and Shoulders.
I'm not sure if I should buy a Dermaroller or not. I'd ask if anyone would suggest it, but I really doubt anyone who knows would have read this far.
All in all its quite a regimen, but if that’s what it takes to get my hair back, I am all for it.
All in all it shouldn’t be too expensive, and quite do-able.
So lets see how I did
finasteride $6
GSE $2
L-Arginine $5
Min $7
6-Bap <$5
spironolactone $10
Zix $2
Folligen $15
Emu $1
= $53/month
I think it covers most products available and will be extremely helpful especially for newbies
What causes baldness?
Follicles are organs, and like transplanted organs, they can be seen by the immune system as foreign bodies and get rejected. This generally happens when the follicle is bound by too much DHT. Fighting DHT helps, but isn’t necessarily enough. Another effective means of combat is are an anti-inflammatory to soothe the skin and decrease the rejection factor.
Treatment Options
Prices are calculated by buying discount at reasonable bulk. Effectiveness is subjective. Treatments may have side effects not mentioned here.
DHT Inhibitor Internals
-Finasteride: $6/month (generic) $20/month (Proscar), effective, moderate potential impact on libido
-Dutasteride: $75/month(?), more effective, higher potential impact on libido
-Saw Palmetto: $1-2/month, Inhibits the DHT type that Finasteride doesn’t. Can create mood swings and contribute to decreased libido. I tried taking some on top of finasteride, and noticed both of these nasty side effects.
Other Internals
-Grape Seed Extract: $2/month at 100mg/day. Antioxidant fights free radicals, which helps irritation. Heres a thread on its side effects
-Green Tea Extract: $?. Similar effects as Grape Seed, it does not seem to be as effective/popular
-L-Arginine: $4 at 1000mg/day This supplement has many uses. It promotes HGH, Nitric Oxide (both apparently help hair and muscle growth) and helps the mojo. Oxhide, “The Man Himselfâ€, suggested in an old thread here working from 1000mg up to 3000mg/daily over the course of three months.
-L-Lysine: $?/month. While also an effective supplement, it appears to have an antagonistic relationship with L-Arginine, so taking both will be less effective then taking just one. Knowing that and L-Arginine’s impressive benefits, I haven’t bothered looking far into L-Lysine, but apparently it helps prevent outbreaks of cold sores.
I have also seen L-Arginine and L-Lysine used in topicals, such as the notable but dangerous Oz’s Brew
-MSM: $2 at1000mg/Day. This Suppliment does not improve follicle health in any way. It does, however, make hair (and nails) grow faster. If you are regrowing hair, this will help it fill in faster, though considering the slow rate of improvement, its unlikely to be terribly significant. It will, however, allow you to have longer hair. 1000mg/day wont provide a very significant change in growth rate. Funkster advised taking 3000mg in the morning and 3000mg for noticeable difference. MSM can also be used in topicals.
Topicals
-Minoxidil: $5-$10/month (Kirkland). Growth Stimulant. Moderately effective, but proven and widely used.
-6-Bap: ?$. Growth Stimulant. New/rediscovered treatment. Its very affordable, well hyped, good in theory, but I have not encountered any physical evidence of its effectiveness. I haven’t even found out how to mix the stuff yet.
-Zix: $2/month. DHT Inhibitor? Many people swear by this homemade topical. Sometimes requires double/triple strength for results. Zinc buildup/absorption may be a risk factor. Funkster mentioned rotating Copper Peptides (Folligen) may help balance this out.
-Spironolactone: $10/month. Antiandrogen. Most commonly used Antiandrogen, some claim they did not experience any regrowth until they added this to their regimen. Relatively inexpensive and effective (though not as effective as other Antiandrogen). Some complain systemic absorption has led to 'feminizing' side effects.
-Fluidril: $36/month. Antiandrogen? Am I right to classify this as such? If so, it is supposedly a more powerful antiandrogen then spironolactone, but there is little evidence to attest to this, as this drug was difficult to obtain until Funkster recently tipped us.
- RU 58841: $? Not openly obtainable. Antiandrogen? If so, the most powerful antiandrogen. If this drug becomes available and affordable, it seems it would easily replace spironolactone/Fluidril.
-17a Estradiol – $30/month. Converts testosterone into some form of estrogen? For some, apparently works better then spironolactone.
-Dutasteride (Topical): $?/month DHT Inhibitor. I was not even aware of this as a possibility until HLH's Farrel brought it up in their forums recently.
-Cyclosporin (Topical): $?/month. This drug can totally supress the immune reaction, allowing follicles to return to a strong, healthy state. Aparently this drug grows hair very well, though can be hard to absorb topically as its a large molecule. But the real reason this drug is not commonly used for hair loss is that it is VERY DANGEROUS! Systemic absorbtion can disable your immune system, which can lead to you getting very sick, and possibly even dying.
-Folligen: $20/month. SOD/Anti-Inflammatory/Growth Stimulant. Commonly used and accepted as a solid addition to a regimen.
-Aloe Vera: $1/month. Anti-Inflammatory/SOD?
-Emu Oil: $1/month (1,2). Anti-Inflammatory. I believe there was a study that showed emu oil could kick temple hair into the growth cycle, but otherwise it is simply a very effective Anti-Inflammatory. Applied after other topicals it creates an occlusive layer after you have applied all other topicals..this helps in absorption of these topicals
-Glucosamine Sulphate: I’ve read some positive posts about this, but I cant really find much on what its supposed to do.
Shampoos:
-Nizoral: A must.
-Nano: Expensive, this shampoo claims to double as a growth stimulant.
-TGel: Coal based shampoo that helps promote scalp health
-TSal
-Head and Shoulders: This shampoo supposedly increases Nizoral's effectiveness.
Other
Dermaroller:$37, Roller that punctures skin ‘without pain’ to increase topical absorption.
In conclusion
For DHT Inhibiting Internals, I’m going to stick with Finasteride. It seems like some serum DHT is a good thing to keep little Flux in working order, and the price of Dutasteride would break me if I wanted to add anything else. Saw Palmetto’s side effects are not worth it.
For Supplemental Internals, Grape Seed Extract is a sure thing. With L-Arginines many benefits, this seems like a sure winner. As for the others listed, Green Tea Extract seems like overkill.
Topicals: This is the killer. Having regrown some hair with minoxidil, and with its price so low, I would be hard pressed to give this up. 6-Bap is looking very good and I may just add this as well! It seems that a solid regimen should include either spironolactone, Fluidril, RU, or 17a. Considering prices, I think I will throw in spironolactone, perhaps rotating in Fluidril or 17a. Zix is almost too cheap not to use, but with some of the vague warnings I’ve heard, and how little documentation there has been on it, I think I will use it sparingly. Folligen is also in, though perhaps not at full dosage to help keep it affordable. Emu Oil is another highly affordable throw in, as it is a very effective anti-inflammatory.
As for shampoos, I dont think I can afford Nano, I already have nizoral and Tgel, but perhaps I'll pick up a bottle of Head and Shoulders.
I'm not sure if I should buy a Dermaroller or not. I'd ask if anyone would suggest it, but I really doubt anyone who knows would have read this far.
All in all its quite a regimen, but if that’s what it takes to get my hair back, I am all for it.
All in all it shouldn’t be too expensive, and quite do-able.
So lets see how I did
finasteride $6
GSE $2
L-Arginine $5
Min $7
6-Bap <$5
spironolactone $10
Zix $2
Folligen $15
Emu $1
= $53/month
