My dilemma (is it worth it to use anything other than finasteride?)

[AoR]

Hello All,
So after lots of research and thought coupled with talks with my GF, I've decided that my hairloss is not enough of a hindrance to warrant taking the potential risks of finasteride.

However, I've had some very noticeable success so far with my minoxidil and keto regimen, and I'm still interested in something that will at least help this success last as long as possible. So, I'm investigating three potential routes to take:

1. spironolactone cream: this seems to have the biggest track record of success, even if only minor in comparison to finasteride.

2. Revivogen: I've yet to hear of any success with it, but there marketing claims it is as good as finasteride.

3. Custom minoxidil solutions containing azelaic acid as a DHT inhibitor: a lot of these have favorable reviews on amazon, but those are often suspect. There are a few users here that seem vouch for them, though.

So, I'm curious what the consensus is on the best option between the three? I know this is still a grey area but anyone with an opinion would be helpful!

 

[multispeed27]

Still trying to find an alternative to finasteride myself, but I just wanted to say: good choice staying away from finasteride. It ruined too many people's lives forever. The sides I had were horrible and I am beyond grateful I eventually got back to 90-100% pre-finasteride state unlike so many others.

Stay away from it.

PS: Yes, I know there are supposedly some who are symptom-free (still have 100% sexdrive, spontaneous erections throughout the day, morning wood etc) but there are too many who suffer from it and the risk is just too high because you never know what group you'll end up in. A great sex life is more important than good hair.

 

[AoR]

That's all very true and a big factor in my choice. One of the big things that helped me make up my mind is the fact that no one can really say what kind of changes/damages prolonged interference with natural hormones can have. It's possible to have zero noticeable side effects and still change your body in a irreversible and potentially negative way.

 

[Rawtashk]

I know there are supposedly some who are symptom-free

...such ignorance is mind-boggling.

I am one of those "supposedly some" people, and you'll find 9.5 of them for every 1 person that had finasteride sides.

Please understand the fact that there is more of a negative presence towards finasteride on boards because people don't usually come to the internet to tell people about their successes...but they'll get here in a flash if they have problems.

 

[TravisB]

As it was said thousands of times - messing with hormones is a serious thing, and it's very likely that it will lead to serious consequences. I've read many stories of people who were taking finasteride for years and have been alright. Then suddenly out of nowhere side effects came and people were stopping taking it.
If you don't have side effects now, it doesn't mean you won't get them after few years.

Rawtashk, for how long are you taking finasteride?

 

[Bryan]

Still trying to find an alternative to finasteride myself, but I just wanted to say: good choice staying away from finasteride. It ruined too many people's lives forever. The sides I had were horrible and I am beyond grateful I eventually got back to 90-100% pre-finasteride state unlike so many others.

Stay away from it.

If anybody wants to "stay away from finasteride", I suggest trying Proxiphen, instead, if you can afford it. Dr. Proctor is an MD and PhD who has been involved with this and other products for decades, and has made direct comparisons of it with finasteride. He has said in the past that "Proxiphen is unquestionably more effective than Propecia alone", and I have no reason not to trust his honesty and medical judgement. Unlike finasteride, Proxiphen is a topical product with numerous ingredients, and has no significant systemic side effects.

 

[Pyro]

lol @ Bryan. Ofcourse he's gonna say it's better than finasteride, he's selling it after all. How is it honesty by saying his product is better than finasteride? It's an extremely biased statement.

 

[multispeed27]

Thanks Bryan.

It's really pricey at $100 for a month supply The ingredients look like a nice summary of what people write about on here as well. I doubt that they can achieve an effect better than finasteride though - the single ingredients are just not strong enough IMO.

 

[Bryan]

lol @ Bryan. Ofcourse he's gonna say it's better than finasteride, he's selling it after all. How is it honesty by saying his product is better than finasteride? It's an extremely biased statement.

Do you not believe ANYTHING AT ALL that anyone tells you, even a doctor who has been practising for decades here in the city of Houston?? If your own mother told you "The roast beef at the local store is better than the one across town", would you tell her "That's an extremely biased statement!!" :dunno:

 

[Life_sucks]

1. spironolactone cream: this seems to have the biggest track record of success, even if only minor in comparison to finasteride.

2. Revivogen: I've yet to hear of any success with it, but there marketing claims it is as good as finasteride.

3. Custom minoxidil solutions containing azelaic acid as a DHT inhibitor: a lot of these have favorable reviews on amazon, but those are often suspect. There are a few users here that seem vouch for them, though.

So, I'm curious what the consensus is on the best option between the three? I know this is still a grey area but anyone with an opinion would be helpful!

I am on the same boat as you, the only difference is that I'm on dust and want to get off of it.

1) spironolactone is like a small complimentary topical...to assist but not a major player. In all honesty, I personally can't justify using it. I'm the lazy type also, need something more potent..lol

2) I've been on this and other websites for a long time, hardly ever see Revivogen being a 'must have' in the regimen. And you are right, the marketing is very good, but I just don't see many people praising or using it.

3) There is no studies of Azelaic Acid, so it's just unproven. Plus, I believe if Azelaic was effective then Rogaine would've added it.


I think you should look into RU. Only problem is that it's homemade. But I've seen too many people praising it on this website and others.

I'm definitely looking into RU. But making this stuff at home is a big headache for me and the commitment to put it on everyday. Plus...i'm still trying to see if there's any news on CB-03-01.

If someone could make RU for me then I'd definitely would pay more to get it.

 

[Bryan]

It's really pricey at $100 for a month supply The ingredients look like a nice summary of what people write about on here as well. I doubt that they can achieve an effect better than finasteride though - the single ingredients are just not strong enough IMO.

I'm curious about something: what do you think is so special about finasteride? Why is it so difficult for you to believe that a powerful topical product would be so impossible to achieve an effect that was as good (or even better) than one tiny little oral tablet? :dunno:

 

[Pyro]

lol @ Bryan. Ofcourse he's gonna say it's better than finasteride, he's selling it after all. How is it honesty by saying his product is better than finasteride? It's an extremely biased statement.

Do you not believe ANYTHING AT ALL that anyone tells you, even a doctor who has been practising for decades here in the city of Houston?? If your own mother told you "The roast beef at the local store is better than the one across town", would you tell her "That's an extremely biased statement!!" :dunno:

lol Bryan, no need to go all caps locks on me. Firstly, I do beleive some things people tell me, i'm just not super naive I guess. The analogy about the roast beef was quite a funny one, i'll give you that! Not really relevant however considering my mum dosn't sell the roast beef ;D

 

[Bryan]

If a person tried to sell you a hairloss cure on the side of a country road out of the back of a broken-down '63 station wagon, I think you should pass. But if an established doctor who has been practising for DECADES in one Metropolitan city does it, and has numerous patents on it, I think you should consider it seriously.

 

[abovedagame]

If a person tried to sell you a hairloss cure on the side of a country road out of the back of a broken-down '63 station wagon, I think you should pass. But if an established doctor who has been practising for DECADES in one Metropolitan city does it, and has numerous patents on it, I think you should consider it seriously.

if he had any studies showing its effectiveness that would be cool...but he doesn't


anyone can take out a patent, again meaningless

 

[Bryan]

if he had any studies showing its effectiveness that would be cool...but he doesn't

Who are you talking about? Dr. Proctor? Do you think anybody AT ALL has "studies" showing the effectiveness of his own hair products? How about Dr. Lee? Do you think he ever had "studies"? How about the guy who sells Folligen (can't think of his name)? Has HE ever had "studies"? What about the other doctors at various sites who have sold other various versions of topical minoxidl and spironolactone? Have THEY ever had "studies"? :dunno:

Have you seen that long list I've posted occasionally of Proxiphen users and enthusiasts? Should I post it again, or would you simply refuse to believe it?

 

[abovedagame]

if he had any studies showing its effectiveness that would be cool...but he doesn't

Who are you talking about? Dr. Proctor? Do you think anybody AT ALL has "studies" showing the effectiveness of his own hair products? How about Dr. Lee? Do you think he ever had "studies"? How about the guy who sells Folligen (can't think of his name)? Has HE ever had "studies"? What about the other doctors at various sites who have sold other various versions of topical minoxidl and spironolactone? Have THEY ever had "studies"? :dunno:

Have you seen that long list I've posted occasionally of Proxiphen users and enthusiasts? Should I post it again, or would you simply refuse to believe it?

I've seen that list and it's all from like 10+ years ago. It's meaningless, where are the current success stories?

dr. lee and pickart are selling things that have scientific backing and studies regarding male pattern baldness (minoxidil and CP's). proctor is selling stuff that as you say is only affiliated with him (nano, etc)

stop trying to push this prox $hit bryan

 

[Bryan]

dr. lee and pickart are selling things that have scientific backing and studies regarding male pattern baldness (minoxidil and CP's). proctor is selling stuff that as you say is only affiliated with him (nano, etc)

LOL!!! :laugh: Dr. Proctor has been discussing copper-peptides and SODs (probably the main parts of Proxiphen) for YEARS and DECADES, and has the primary patents on them. And you think that only Dr. Lee and Dr. Pickart have "scientific backing" for the things they sell?? :mrgreen:

stop trying to push this prox $hit bryan

Okay, it's your own loss, not mine. Don't even think about using Proxiphen.

 

[abovedagame]

Okay, it's your own loss, not mine. Don't even think about using Proxiphen.

if his products were so great, everyone would have been on the bandwagon by now

you're the only person i see on forums that continuously push his products

i guarantee you there are absolutely no posts on this whole forum (with pics) that show prox success

given that he has been selling products for "decades" that says a lot :gay: