Questions on treatments (spironolactone, azelaic acid)

[SpecialK117]

I am 22 and am seeing hair thinning on my crown. Its starting to form a circular pattern. I started minoxidil 5% last june but still do not see any noticeable difference. It may actually be worse, but then again that could just be my perception of it. In the beginning of Sept. I added nizoral 2% and apply it 2-3 times/week. I still have not seen any results since then, and was considering adding something else. From what I read, spironolactone and azelaic acid are both DHT inhibitors, and people have had success with those. Should I:

1. give the minoxidil + nizoral 2% more time

2. order one of those minoxidil 5% + azelaic acid 5% solutions, and if so, where should I buy it from? I know of 2 places: wholesale haircare and regrowth.com, which would be better? I have read bad things about wholesalehaircare but those comments were made several months ago som maybe things have changed.

3. Get the spironolactone instead of the azelaic acid, and use minoxidil 5% + spironolactone 5%

4. use all 4 (minoxidil + aza + nizoral + spironolactone)

thanks

 

[viperfish]

Yes you need something for dht. Your first choice is Propecia. If you don't want to use this then between azelaic acid and spironolactone, spironolactone is your better bet. However, I would recommend revivogen, which does contain azelaic acid, over spironolactone or just plain azelaic acid.

 

[SpecialK117]

If I use revivogen, do I need to use the minoxidil also?

 

[viperfish]

Revivogen is an all natural treatment and does not contain minoxidil.

 

[SpecialK117]

Yes I know that but what I am saying is if I use the revivogen can I discontinue use of the minoxidil and still see good results?

 

[Chujgcha]

...

 

[HairlossTalk]

Minoxidil hair is dependant upon Minoxidil. You will lose anything you've gained if you stop using it.

The theory that you can add and take away treatments from a regimen seems to be creeping up in a lot of posts here and in the chat room.

The rule once again is that you need to pick a regimen and stick with it indefinitely. Taking away from a regimen needs to be very carefully thought out , and almost never done. What you've gained on it very well may be lost if you stop a part of it. If anything you add to the regimen.

More reason why I advocate a minimalist and "build up" approach where you start with Propecia 1mg daily and give it 8 months to see if that is all you will need. Then add things every 6 to 12 months until you see results you like.

Start with everything up front and you're stuck with everything till the end.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[AKA]

Minoxidil hair is dependant upon Minoxidil. You will lose anything you've gained if you stop using it.

I hear what you're saying.

What about this scenario though...

I'm responding well to finasteride at five months, but I'm getting impatient for more results. I know that minoxidil will (probably) accelerate my progress. In other words at eight months my hair might be as good as if I'd waited 18 months on finasteride alone.

If at eighteen months I pull the minoxidil, my hair can only get as bad as if I'd been taking finasteride alone, surely?

 

[AKA]

Bump

 

[SpecialK117]

Here's the thing though, I have been using the minoxidil for 4 months and have seen no results at all. I don't know how long it should take, but I figured 4 months is a reasonable amount of time to see some differences. I have 2 bottles left which I won't waste, but if it's not helping I should probably spend my money on something else. As it is I really can't afford to be buying minoxidil and revivogen every month, but that's just me.