xxenergyxx said:
Dear Joseph, when you talk about heavy needling what size of needle are you talking about?
and, another question: after heavy needling what you apply on your scalp?
last question: what you think it's the most effective substance in your treatment?
Thanks a lot!
I'm currently using a 1mm derma needle knock-off plastic cheapie from eBay. I'm thinking of going a little longer and have a 1.5mm on order. Very important to keep the roller sterilized using either peroxide or alcohol. Although alcohol can dry out/crack the plastic after being immersed for more than a few days.
To me heavy needling means pressing hard, lifting and repeating over the same area for 10-20x passes. To offset the pain, I acclimate my scalp with a few numbing light passes. Light needling in general is possibly best for maintaining existing hairs than actually growing new ones.
As for the most effective topical supplements for hair growth, that's a tough one. Everyone has different pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Also consider that some topicals only work well in combination and have a general synergistic/additive effect.
There are topicals that can elongate the anagen phase, reduce sebum, and scalp inflammation, or even create new vellus which might even go terminal. Although some supplements are too dulling (zinc, niacin) smelly ( rosemary extract) staining (curcumin, grape seed extract) or oxidize too readily (tea extract, rosemary, forskolin) for easy topical use.
For starters, I would recommend a small amount of bioperine (or cayenne,) grape seed extract, apple polythenols, black tea extract or green tea extract, Glisodin, carnosine, soy isoflavones, quercetin, melatonin. I'm still searching for the perfect balance.
In some people adding caffeine or forskolin to increase cyclic amp creates great results, in others it has the opposite effect... works great for me though.
BTW, I buy my bulk powders at beyondacenturyonline.com and Vitacost and/or Swanson for capped supplements. A 1 percent solution in 60ml (2oz) of minoxidil would contain exactly one gram of substance.
Good luck.