Dr. Lee's minoxidil

[vmi2710]

Any of you guys use Dr. Lee's products, and if so, how long did it take him to finish the online consultation thing (i guess this is only required for US shipments). I sent in in only a week ago, but just was curious how long it takes him to respond.

Also, is it his standard minoxidil, (product # 500 i think) that is quick drying. Thats what I really want. I can get my hair so that you cant even tell that I am thinning in the back until I put on rogaine and it makes my scalp very visible (which seems to be defeating the purpose of using the rogaine).

 

[Cornholio]

I had an email response saying I could order within a week... It's a holiday weekend, but you could try to call them Tuesady if it isnt processed to see what is holding things up.

The #500 minoxidil is the fast drying type... I too was traumatized by the scalp shine induced by rogaine, but Dr lee's dries quickly and can be used in the morning before work : ) . You will like it.

 

[thylax]

which minoxidil does the best job anyway? regaine or dr lee's or anything else?

 

[Cornholio]

Rogaine (and the generics which generally have the same ingredients) is the only one which have clinical studies showing clinical efficacy. So, Rogaine is the "most proven." Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used.

Dr. Lee's product contains mainly ethanol (avoiding the greasy feel)... Dr Lee states (and some studies support) that absorption of minoxidil increases with increasing alcohol concentration up to 90% ethanol, so his formula SHOULD be at least as good as regular rogaine. But, Dr. Lee's formula doesnt have the clinical studies to back up the claims of efficacy as Rogaine's formula does.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/download/minoxethan.pdf

 

[Axon]

Rogaine (and the generics which generally have the same ingredients) is the only one which have clinical studies showing clinical efficacy. So, Rogaine is the "most proven." Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used.

Dr. Lee's product contains mainly ethanol (avoiding the greasy feel)... Dr Lee states (and some studies support) that absorption of minoxidil increases with increasing alcohol concentration up to 90% ethanol, so his formula SHOULD be at least as good as regular rogaine. But, Dr. Lee's formula doesnt have the clinical studies to back up the claims of efficacy as Rogaine's formula does.

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/download/minoxethan.pdf

Dr. Lee's contains 30% PPG.

 

[Cornholio]

Dr. Lee's contains 30% PPG.

Yes, but Dr. Lee's has 50% ethanol, 30% PPG...
Rogain has 30% ethanol, 50% PPG...

It makes a big difference in drying time... The point (if it matters) is that Dr. Lee's formula doesnt contain the same proportion of ingredients as the rogaine studies... May be a beneficial thing, but it's different. I trust it and use it.

 

[Bryan]

Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used.

I really doubt that it has anything to do with the shelf-life of the product. They probably chose that formula because it has greater stability due to its being a LESS SATURATED solution, which isn't the same thing as shelf-life. In other words, they were worried that a more highly-saturated solution with more alcohol in it would lose alcohol from evaporation as it was being used (think of guys leaving the bottles sitting around sometimes with the cap off, etc.), eventually causing some of the minoxidil to drop out of solution. That's probably much less likely to happen if the vehicle has less alcohol and more propylene glycol.

Bryan

 

[Old Baldy]

Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used.

I really doubt that it has anything to do with the shelf-life of the product. They probably chose that formula because it has greater stability due to its being a LESS SATURATED solution, which isn't the same thing as shelf-life. In other words, they were worried that a more highly-saturated solution with more alcohol in it would lose alcohol from evaporation as it was being used (think of guys leaving the bottles sitting around sometimes with the cap off, etc.), eventually causing some of the minoxidil to drop out of solution. That's probably much less likely to happen if the vehicle has less alcohol and more propylene glycol.

Bryan

That's definitely the reason Bryan, I read that some time back. Can't remember the site but it was referenced to a manufacturer's statement. (Pfizer, Upjohn ? - can't remember).

They didn't want the minoxidil. to go out of solution.

If you think it about it though shelf-life could also mean how long the minoxidil. stays in solution. Not spoil but separate. That's another way to look at "shelf-life" I guess? From a consumer standpoint I guess that's a factor for "shelf-life"?

 

[Bryan]

I suppose so, but my response to Cornholio was prompted by these specific words of his which I've italicized:

"Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used."

If he hadn't included that part about sitting in stores, I probably wouldn't have bothered to reply! :wink:

Bryan

 

[Old Baldy]

I suppose so, but my response to Cornholio was prompted by these specific words of his which I've italicized:

"Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used."

If he hadn't included that part about sitting in stores, I probably wouldn't have bothered to reply! :wink:

Bryan

I know, just wanted to "talk". Getting ready to do some yard work, won't be talking for a few hours!

 

[viperfish]

Rogaine apparently chose the greasy PPG instead of Dr. Lee's formula because the shelf life of the drug is longer (can sit in stores longer) if PPG is used.

I really doubt that it has anything to do with the shelf-life of the product. They probably chose that formula because it has greater stability due to its being a LESS SATURATED solution, which isn't the same thing as shelf-life. In other words, they were worried that a more highly-saturated solution with more alcohol in it would lose alcohol from evaporation as it was being used (think of guys leaving the bottles sitting around sometimes with the cap off, etc.), eventually causing some of the minoxidil to drop out of solution. That's probably much less likely to happen if the vehicle has less alcohol and more propylene glycol.

Bryan

So are we saying here that it MAY be possible that using Dr. Lee's formula MAY not be such a good idea?

 

[Bryan]

Not necessarily. I'd just recommend that if you use it, be careful with it. Don't leave it lying around with the cap off! Do your business with it, then put the cap back on, and tightly seal it.

Bryan

 

[Axon]

On paper, it seems like there's a difference.

In practice, I've seen no change between Upjohn's Rogains and Lee's Minoxidil.

 

[Axon]

Dr. Lee's contains 30% PPG.

Yes, but Dr. Lee's has 50% ethanol, 30% PPG...
Rogain has 30% ethanol, 50% PPG...

It makes a big difference in drying time... The point (if it matters) is that Dr. Lee's formula doesnt contain the same proportion of ingredients as the rogaine studies... May be a beneficial thing, but it's different. I trust it and use it.

I understand your point. This debate has existed since the day I started on these sites. Dr. Lee's formulation hasn't performed any less well for me. Ultimately, I'd say it comes down to the active ingredient.

Hey, if you want to use Rogaine, go ahead. However, as a long-term end user, I can honestly say that the Lee formulation (which is NOT unique to him - if you have minoxidil made fresh at a pharmacy, you'll note that it's a carbon copy of Lee's formula) works exactly the same.

 

[Cornholio]

The question of studies aside... I LOVE dr. Lee's minoxidil because I can use it twice a day and dont have to experience the scalp shine that the greasy rogaine and generics cause.... Because of the study showing increased minoxidil absorption up to 90% alcohol I am confident that dr. Lee's does work at least as well as Rogaine. I have experienced the disapearance of half a bottle of dr. Lee's minoxidil when the bottle wasnt capped tightly (it's very volatile) so I believe that is an issue.... Not a problem, just have to put the lid back when you are done.

I have also enjoyed the minoxidil with the "spray" cap that he includes with some orders, as I recently cut my hair short. I am tempted to keep it short just for this convenience...