Is there a "best" minoxidil formula?

[sc871]

I have used Spectral DNC L and just started to use Rogaine foam for mornings. I noticed the Spectral DNC has changed the formula bewteen the bottles, the first one was orangish, had some sent and sticky, and the new one was more blueish and watery.

So is there a any better choices, or is all minoxidil the same?

 

[smitysmity]

I just asked this same question myself. I spent a lot of time researching this.

Spectral DNC in my opinion is the best. It contains

Minoxidil 5%
Retinol
Aminexil
Adenosine
Vitamin Complex
Nanosomes
etc.

The other good Minoxidil Solutions out there that have been getting good reviews are

Nanominox-MS
Xandrox 15

Nanominox has had extremely good reviews but based on the ingredients I really don't see how it has any advantage over Spectral DNC. I must also mention that Nanominox is more expensive and difficult to find (not even sure they make it anymore).

Xandrox 15 is going to end up being the one I go with as my second choice. The reason is because it contains 15% minoxidil which people have mentioned that they had no results with 5% but when they switched to 15%, it started to work. It also contains another key ingredient Azelaic Acid 5% which is the exact amount you need. Azelaic Acid from my understanding helps move the Minoxidil.

According to the DS Labatory website on Spectral DNC

DS Laboratories’ proprietary Nanosomes act as a valuable carrier agent. About 10 times smaller than human skin cells, they penetrate deep into the epidermis and release their active ingredients continuously over a 12-hour period. This enhancement allows penetration of hair follicles deeper than formulas with tretinoin or azelaic acid and enhances performance of all ingredients in Spectral.DNC.

In conclusion, if what DS Labatory said is correct, then the only advantage Xandrox 15 has over Spectral DNC is that it has 15% Minoxidil. Nanominox has no advantage.

There are no other Minoxidil solutions I'd recommend.

 

[hairhoper]

I would probably trust Rogaine, Kirkland and Spectral UHP (regular 5% minoxidil products at regular prices) and nothing else.

There are users that have reported good results with Xandrox but sadly it's not available anymore.

Yet to see any decent reviews of the Spectral products with all the extra ingredients, and they're pricey. :dunno:

 

[smitysmity]

I completely forgot Dr Lee website is inactive.

I guess I won't really have any room for Xandrox anyway.

 

[sc871]

Thanks for the replies, one thing to note on the DNC both bottles only lasted me a month using 1 application a day, the rogaine foam is close to there recommended daily applications, human error could be to blame for that. I tried calling DS labs about the application and how long a bottle lasts, got a few words in then the call broke up, tried calling back but could not get thru... so may look good on paper but customer service sucks!

On the application, perhaps I am spreading it to thin, since Minoxidil is is for the vertex/crown, and I use 1 application for the entire scalp plus my hair is 2-3" long and I am sure alot of that is lost in or rather on the hair, idk if i need or should increase the amount applied based on that or stick with the recommended for awhile, or step up to something stronger...

My main issues are something that dries fast in morning, ie rogaine foam (or if something else like it) while at night I can wait, just want results and bottles to last as stated...

 

[smitysmity]

I would probably trust Rogaine, Kirkland and Spectral UHC (regular 5% minoxidil products at regular prices) and nothing else.

There are users that have reported good results with Xandrox but sadly it's not available anymore.

Yet to see any decent reviews of the Spectral products with all the extra ingredients, and they're pricey. :dunno:

I was actually going to add Xandrox to my regime until I heard it was discontinued. Shame, it looked very good and likely the best one out there.

Kirkland is a good wholesale company, so if you want a cheap solution, Kirkland is one of the best in the country.

What is Spectral UHC? I use Spectral DS which the smell is extremely good, no yellow, dries up in 30 minutes.

 

[smitysmity]

got a few words in then the call broke up, tried calling back but could not get thru... so may look good on paper but customer service sucks!.

These companies aren't going to have a good customer service. They are built to make a good product, not good customer service.

 

[what]

When i first started on minoxidil i went with Spectral DNC. I used it for about 3 months. Outside of a yellow scalp, i didn't really notice much - no side effects at all, and, in terms of results, couldn't say it was effective or not. For some reason, i decided to give Dr Lee's minoxidil a shot. When i switched over to Dr Lee's, i had an immediate reaction to the minoxidil. Got heart palpitations and there was about a week long period where i was having bouts of dizziness. The sides eventually went away and i've been on Lee's minoxidil since last Oct and have seen some results from it, but, nothing to get excited about. The point is, i'm clearly susceptible to sides from minoxidil but, didn't get them from Spectral. So, i started doubting whether spectral is really a good minoxidil treatment - maybe their vehicle doesn't deliver it as well as Lee's or possibly they're not putting in the concentration that they claim. I don't know but, i don't put a lot of confidence in their product due to that experience.

Sucks that Dr Lee got shut down. Looking for a different brand and thinking about Kirkland's. Any recommendations? Anybody ever think about compounding their own minoxidil solution? I don't think it would be difficult, but, not sure that it's legal to buy pure minoxidil .

 

[smitysmity]

When i first started on minoxidil i went with Spectral DNC. I used it for about 3 months. Outside of a yellow scalp, i didn't really notice much - no side effects at all, and, in terms of results, couldn't say it was effective or not. For some reason, i decided to give Dr Lee's minoxidil a shot. When i switched over to Dr Lee's, i had an immediate reaction to the minoxidil. Got heart palpitations and there was about a week long period where i was having bouts of dizziness. The sides eventually went away and i've been on Lee's minoxidil since last Oct and have seen some results from it, but, nothing to get excited about. The point is, i'm clearly susceptible to sides from minoxidil but, didn't get them from Spectral. So, i started doubting whether spectral is really a good minoxidil treatment - maybe their vehicle doesn't deliver it as well as Lee's or possibly they're not putting in the concentration that they claim. I don't know but, i don't put a lot of confidence in their product due to that experience.

Sucks that Dr Lee got shut down. Looking for a different brand and thinking about Kirkland's. Any recommendations? Anybody ever think about compounding their own minoxidil solution? I don't think it would be difficult, but, not sure that it's legal to buy pure minoxidil .

Spectral DNC recently changed their formula. The yellow is gone and the new solution smells good while at the same time dries up much faster than the previous version.

Dr. Lee formula was discontinued.

My thinking here is you should give Spectral DNC another try for 3 months. If it doesn't work, then the problem is likely the amount of Minoxidil you are placing on your head. My recommendation is to then switch to a 15% solution that has 5% AA. That is what I plan to do but instead I am going to go back and forth with Spectral DNC in the morning, and 15% minoxidil in the morning because I agree that 5% Spectral DNC maybe to weak to substain your hair from shedding.

Morning
DNC with CB/RU + ASJ or Bima

Evening
15% minoxidil with CB/RU + ASJ or Bima

That is my plan. In all honestly though, there is just way to many good things in Spectral DNC for it to not be effective. If Spectral isn't working, it likely means that

1). The 5% minoxidil Solution is weak, or
2). minoxidil isn't working for you period, or
3). It is working, but it isn't regrowing your hair, or
4). It is working, and you just aren't noticing enough changes, or
5). It is working, but you aren't giving it enough time.
6). All of the above

 

[hairhoper]

What is Spectral UHC? I use Spectral DS which the smell is extremely good, no yellow, dries up in 30 minutes.

Sorry I meant UHP, really I just mean 'the cheap one'. Don't really get their crazy lettering system

 

[Boomer01]

When my supply of Dr. Lee's minoxidil runs out, I think I am going to try Perfect Image Solutions. Maybe it will be less greasy than Kirkland's was.

 

[smitysmity]

When my supply of Dr. Lee's minoxidil runs out, I think I am going to try Perfect Image Solutions. Maybe it will be less greasy than Kirkland's was.

There are a couple solutions out there that offer 15% Minoxidil and 5% AA.

 

[Dalme]

minoxidil is a good one in my view and I have heard a lot about this product but I'm possibly going to have a minoxidil alternative type topical made. I noticed SOD is availalbe so am looking at that...rooibos..and apple peel extract at the moment. Would like something that could be applied in the morning- no offensive or noticeable odor and invisible.

 

[smitysmity]

Does anyone know a good smelling 15% minoxidil 5% AA Solution?