Best topical regimen for crown thinning

[purkulator]

Hi all,


I’ve read a lot of threads about different topical regimens and I want to ask about results, especially regrowth, not just maintenance. I’m in early thinning (mostly crown transparency) and want to use what has worked best for other people long-term.


A few specific questions:

1. Has anyone had noticeable regrowth with a topical combo (e.g., finasteride + minoxidil) — and what exact %/ratio did you use?
2. Did adding tretinoin help improve results versus just min/finasteride alone?
3. What strengths are people finding most effective (e.g., 5% vs 7–10% minoxidil, 0.1% vs 0.25% finasteride, tretinoin %)?
4. How long did it take before you actually started seeing regrowth photos you were happy with?

I’ve seen some users reporting good results with compounds like 10% minoxidil + 0.1% finasteride with noticeable improvement after ~3–7 months, and others with 5% min + 0.1% finasteride + tretinoin saying they had good gains.


I’m most interested in growth (not just stopping loss) and real world experience — what worked best for you and why.


Thanks in advance!

 

[exwhyyou]

a custom concoction of finasteride/minoxidil/estrogel/castor oil may be enough for you if you plan to keep your hair short and arent goinng for a volumnous look. estrogel is so weak compared to its injectable form so if only applied to the head you’ll likely avoid developing breasts

 

[exwhyyou]

tretinoin also will help in synergy with the other chems but i think people overstate its benefits in hair from my experience

 

[Mr. Slap Head]

Cow dung is the best topical

 

[losingbattle88]

a custom concoction of finasteride/minoxidil/estrogel/castor oil may be enough for you if you plan to keep your hair short and arent goinng for a volumnous look. estrogel is so weak compared to its injectable form so if only applied to the head you’ll likely avoid developing breasts

Estrogel on scalp has been tried already and the result was gyno in the end.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

If you can find a topical formulation with minoxidil and finasteride that would be a solid treatment option. Tretinoin supposedly increases the efficacy of topical minoxidil but I dont have personal experience with tret, my GP refused to prescribe it and I couldn't find anywhere online to buy for reasonable price.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Estrogel on scalp has been tried already and the result was gyno in the end.

I actually used estrogel on my hair line many years ago but didn't stick with it long enough to see if it worked or not. Fatal breast cancer runs in my family so I didn't want to risk it.

 

[exwhyyou]

my GP refused to prescribe it and I couldn't find anywhere online to buy for reasonable price.

you can just buy it otc on amazon these days. wonderful for skin quality, debatable for hairline, yet i still put a bunch on my temples every night.

Amazon.com

 

[DemodexMitesExterminator]

My nuts.

 

[Mr. Slap Head]

My nuts.

Best topical out there

 

[jazz1]

Regrowth can take up to 6 months, I use topical compound mixture;

15% Minoxidil
0.1% Finasteride
5% Azelaic acid
0.25% Progesterone
0.025% Tretinoin
0.1% Hydocortisone

 

[DemodexMitesExterminator]

Regrowth can take up to 6 months, I use topical compound mixture;

15% Minoxidil
0.1% Finasteride
5% Azelaic acid
0.25% Progesterone
0.025% Tretinoin
0.1% Hydocortisone

Just take oral finasteride+min much more convinient and alot cheaper than your topical in the long run.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

you can just buy it otc on amazon these days. wonderful for skin quality, debatable for hairline, yet i still put a bunch on my temples every night.

Amazon.com

WOW! I will try this, I hope US Amazon ships to UK.

 

[jazz1]

Just take oral finasteride+min much more convinient and alot cheaper than your topical in the long run.

Works for me.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

WOW! I will try this, I hope US Amazon ships to UK.

Here to update. Package was seized at customs and I even had police turn up at my door!!!

 

[Elithair]

Hi all,


I’ve read a lot of threads about different topical regimens and I want to ask about results, especially regrowth, not just maintenance. I’m in early thinning (mostly crown transparency) and want to use what has worked best for other people long-term.


A few specific questions:

1. Has anyone had noticeable regrowth with a topical combo (e.g., finasteride + minoxidil) — and what exact %/ratio did you use?
2. Did adding tretinoin help improve results versus just min/finasteride alone?
3. What strengths are people finding most effective (e.g., 5% vs 7–10% minoxidil, 0.1% vs 0.25% finasteride, tretinoin %)?
4. How long did it take before you actually started seeing regrowth photos you were happy with?

I’ve seen some users reporting good results with compounds like 10% minoxidil + 0.1% finasteride with noticeable improvement after ~3–7 months, and others with 5% min + 0.1% finasteride + tretinoin saying they had good gains.


I’m most interested in growth (not just stopping loss) and real world experience — what worked best for you and why.


Thanks in advance!

You’ll probably get a lot of different “perfect stack” answers, but from what I’ve seen, consistency matters more than the exact percentages.

Topical finasteride + min can definitely give some regrowth, especially in the crown. That area tends to respond better than the hairline. But the results are usually gradual, not dramatic overnight changes.

Going higher than 5% minoxidil doesn’t always translate to better results either. Some people report gains, others just get more irritation without a big difference.

Same with finasteride percentages. Once you’re in a reasonable range, it’s less about pushing the dose and more about how consistently you’re applying it.

Tretinoin is a bit hit or miss. Some people feel it boosts absorption, others just end up with scalp irritation and stop using it. It’s one of those things that can help, but isn’t essential.

In terms of timeline, most of the solid changes people are happy with tend to show up closer to the 6–12 month mark, not 3 months. Early improvements can happen, but they’re usually subtle.

If your crown is just starting to thin, that’s actually a good position to be in. That’s usually where people see the best response overall.