I have dark brown, thickish hair. If I don't use gel it looks like I am The Wolfman.
About 8 or so months ago, my sister noticed my vertex/crown was thinning. I did not know until she said so. Of course, I figured because I dyed it many times and once used a straightener chemical, that it had something to do with the loss/thinning. Then I thought about my Mother's side of the family.. EVERY male had male pattern baldness, typical horseshoe style. I decided no more artificial chemicals for color straightening (I had long shoulder-length hair at the time). So I stopped with that garbage and got a short haircut.
About 3 months ago I tried 5% minoxidil. (Rogaine). After about 3 - 4 bottles worth (about 3 months max usage), I decided the PPG was too irritating, and I dropped it from my regimine.
I have been on 1mg Propecia for almost 2 months, after trying a doctor's freebie sample (about 3 months ago), and discovering I had ZERO side effects.. so I took a break in between the freebie and ordering my own Rx w/ refills for Propecia. Like I said, about 2 months on it, steady. No side effects.
I figure, I will not bother with minoxidil again until at least I can see what this Propecia does for me after a year.
For topicals I only use Folligen and Emu oil extract which I use a medicine dropper to apply. You can heat the bottle under hot water to make it thinner, it absorbs nicely and it soothes skin great.
http://www.emuoilcanada.com/emu-oil-products.html
That is where I purchased a 2oz. bottle from. I am very happy with it's comfortable usage and feeling after applying.
I am now on my fourth day of trying/using this shampoo and conditioner also containing Emu oil:
http://www.healthyhairplus.com/emu_products_order.htm
I'm not sure what mechanism it uses, if any, but it sure does feel nice.
So far, I've been shedding PERHAPS because I tried minoxidil for a couple months then stopped, OR because the Propecia is starting to f*** with things... OR the Folligen copper peptides are 'stimulating' and making me shed.. who knows!
I'm having fun experimenting though :/