Boondock said:
You're right, it's impossible to say, and in a way it's a silly idea to start both at the same time (as I did) since you'll be unable to tell which made the most impact.
Different things work for different people. Minoxidil has never, ever done anything for me. I stayed on it out of habit, I suppose. I never got sides, but I don't think it helped me at all. I may phase it out entirely later on this year.
spironolactone, to be honest I never gave it long enough - I just found it messy and smelly (and to be fair, I had longer hair at the time).
It's also worth saying that it's too early to say if these are working. I've been on both for a month. To be fair, I can actually see a big differnce in a couple of weeks with treatments that work (hairs in the shower went from lots to zero in 2 weeks of finasteride, same when i brushed my hair over paper to observe fallout). But, although these appear to be having that effect, I could still be wrong.
Like I said, I wouldn't worry too much about getting things perfect before you start, because there's no way to do that. Everyone is different. Pick a regimen, keep at it for a couple of months. If it doesn't work, try something else. Eventually most people hit upon something that at least slows down the loss.
Yeah definitely and I'm sure I will, I mean it seems that combining a 5ar inhibitor (whether systemic or topical), a receptor blocker (like spironolactone or RU) and a receptor degrader (like fluridil) is a wicked combo, I think El Duterino is right on the money there tbh
And his hair backs that up! 14 years of male pattern baldness and he seems to have a perfect hairline still! Hell, it's better than mine and I've only just started!
I think he's a very bright spark (and you are too for picking up on it!) and I'm going to be basing my plan B around that approach I think!
The question is what is the best 5ar type I and II inhibitor in the scalp. I will only use finasteride systemically, I am very wary of Dutas at the moment. However topically I am keeping an open mind.
Crinagen seems to have more focus on 5ar type 1, which isn't that good as type 2 seems the enemy first and foremost. One would imagine therefore that combining Crin with topical finasteride would get fairly thorough inhibition, but it still may not be the best way (I choose Crin over things like Revivogen spray as it's cheaper, but am still learning

)
And
jhart, I do very much understand and appreciate the value of the big 3, but am wary of strong systemic 5ar inhibition from finasteride, and also don't feel too confident smothering my hair in minoxidil when quite probably all it really needs is freedom from DHT. Mild finasteride I am using anyway though, and ketoconazole (and more!) is in my Regenepure