spironolactone, my old, long lost friend

[The Gardener]

As I mentioned in a previous posting, my hair has been GROWING big time the last month or so! I have been on my regimen for a year and a half, and the minoxidil keeps on regrowing hair. I think that the last month has been my best month ever for regrowth, I'm looking really good.

In my previous posting, I somewhat attributed this to attention being paid to regular minoxidil applications. However, there may be more at work.

I tried out Xandrox 15 for three or four months, and stopped it about four months ago. Upon stopping Xandrox (I did not like the greasiness, it was no better if not worse than Rogaine) I switched to minoxidil 5 plus Retin A. But, I also started using spironolactone again, applying the 5% cream to the hairline and upper temples.

I was expecting some recidivism from the dropping of the high-concentration minoxidil, and I did see some shedding, but from an overall hairline point of view, I am looking better than ever. I am thinking that it must be the spironolactone, that's the only major positive change that I have made to my regimen? In effect, I have decreased my minoxidil concentration, albeit the minoxidil I use now in the evenings has the Retin A in it. It could be the Retin A, but I doubt it given that I have been using minoxidil for a year and a half or so. I think it is the spironolactone. Now, I don't have amazing regrowth in terms of temple reclamation, but my upper temples that were once regrowing but thin, have taken on a new thickness. And, my hairline seems more defined, less pubic-like, and it is growing quickly. I usually can get away with a haircut every 5-6 weeks, but it is week 4 and I am due. My scalp feels really good, too.... although I think I might have been overmedicating my scalp with medicated shampoos and recently cut back a little, just using nizoral 2x/week and T/Sal 2x/week.

Nevertheless, I think I have discovered a sweet spot in terms of what works for me.

 

[Guest]

Gardener, do you have any pictures that you can show us??

 

[The Gardener]

Good question, Trax. Most of the pix I could display to show improvement are hard pix, that would need to be scanned, but I'll see what I can pull together to illustrate what my regimen has done for me from day one to now. It's pretty dramatic, I have gone from Phil Collins (without that thick Phill Collins-shaped head) to Jude Law. Temples still bald, but that hair in between the temples has really been rejuvinated. I'll find some pix to share, it is pretty dramatic.

As for pix over the last 3-4 months, no. The effect would be hard to characterize as my hairline hasn't really improved that much, but the general thickness of the existing hairs has.

I really wish we could have an HairLossTalk.com barbecue, we could all show up with our pre-regimen pix pinned to our sleeves so we could compare how well we have been preventing recession, or how well we have improved.

 

[Guest]

lol, yeah that would be funny....

 

[global]

Yeah, spironolactone 5% has thickened up my temples although regrowth has been mainly vellus.

 

[JWM]

Going on past studies and testimonials I would say the Retin-a is responsible for your regrowth, not the spironolactone.

 

[kevinme]

and how is the itch gardener? do you still have some itch throughout the day?

 

[viperfish]

It is kinda hard to say that it is all due to spironolactone. Your using alot of different things that could be accountable for your success, minoxidil, and folligen mainly. Who knows maybe the folligen kicked in? However, it is fantastic that your having great results!

 

[Guest]

I been thinking about getting the retin-a stuff.

It is very good for the skin in general - did you shed a lot when you chnaged from minoxidil to minoxidil w/retin-a Gard?

Also does it dry as quick as Dr Dickie Lee's Magic Product 500?

 

[The Gardener]

NeilTom,

Shedding was minimal, but probably was somewhat caused by my getting off Xandrox 15 before starting it. When I first started it, it had a distinctive sting feel on the scalp after application, but that subsided pretty quickly. It's handling characteristics are almost identical to #500, dries just as quickly, the only difference is the color. It has a more pronounced amber tint to it, but not visible on the scalp of course.

I actually started using it for the occasional am application as well, and noticed something people using it should be cautious about. It definitely increases risk of sunburn if outside. After a few hours dining alfresco at lunch, I noticed small sunburned splotches in my upper temples. Nothing dramatic, and they faded quickly as my skin has a little olive in it naturally, but if you are predisposed to sunburn, I would not recommend wearing it outside. I suppose that is why Dr Lee suggests it as a pm application, and it is advice well heeded.

The only downside is that it's expensive. At some point, I may just revert back to #500 for economy's sake. I have had my fun dabbling with these various minoxidil concoctions, learned some, but they all seem to do the same thing.

 

[Guest]

Cheers for the info Gard.

I think i'll hold out a few more months on normal #500.

I can shed some light on your sunburn experience as well - Retin-A is used for both acne treatments and anti-ageing creams, the Retin-A actually thins the skinmaking it more prone to sunburn etc, which is why Dicky Lee advises nightime use only.

Have a google on Retinox and Retin-A creams - I'm not sure whether you can get away with it colder climates but people living in hot climates like So Cal (Gardener) will burn their bald bits guaranteed.

You guys who live in hot climates should wear a thin layer of sunscreen on your face everyday - I spoke to a Derm who said this is the best advice he could give anyone on skincare.

 

[ee82]

Gardner

Can you share your procedure for your nightly regimine? That's a lot of stuff to be putting on, and I'm wondering how you go about doing it. I'm thinking about adding spironolactone to the folligen and minoxidil I use nightly.

 

[The Gardener]

Sure, this is what I do:

minoxidil goes on first. I use a quick-drying minoxidil, so it only takes about 10-15 minutes or so before it is stable on my scalp. Then, I dip my finger into the spironolactone 5 and apply a fingertip's worth of it in a thin layer around my hairline. I dip the finger again, working more over the upper temples, and working this a bit into my center forehead area as well. A third dab I use on my center forehead area, parting my hair and gently dropping a fraction of what is on my fingertip, then rubbing it in along the part. spironolactone only needs a thin layer, so be economical. Thick layering only gets in the hair, and NOT on the scalp. I really do not use a lot of spironolactone on each app. It is in a cream base like cold cream, and I spread a layer so thin it is invisible.

I hold off on Folligen until right before bed. I spray it on, one shot to each temple, one in the center forehead area, one in the area where I have hair that is between the tops of my temples (rear-center forehead area) then another on the center forehead, then two shots on my face. Copper peptides are good for your complexion, too!