Switching from 2% Minoxidil to 5%?

[dan abnormal]

longtime lurker...first time poster.

apologies if this has been discussed...but i couldnt find anything using the search..

been using 2% minoxidil for the last 3 years & am considering switching to 5%. for no other reason than increased shedding lately but i always shed more in the fall.

- was there a difference in regrowth or difference in anything?
- would the shedding begin again? or not, because you hair is already slightly aclimatized to it?

any thoughts?

my routine...
-1.25 proscar - Mon Wed Fri
-2% minoxidil liquid twice daily
- nizoral 3 times a week

 

[Aneik]

What was your norwood scale before starting treatment?...How you are doing now?...Present Norwood scale?
minoxidil 5% is for male & 2% is for females....5% is much better than 2%...Its not given to females only because of sides but females can also use 5% definitely..
Hope this helps...BTW plz mention your progress by far..

 

[dan abnormal]

[FONT=&quot]Norwood 2.. still the same but slightly thicker. Probably from the finasteride though. 2% minoxidil is only available OTC in Canada. Also considering switching to 5% because I can get a 12 month supply for the price of about a 2 month supply of 2%.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The finasteride reduced greatly the hairloss I was experiencing. Would muss my hair over the sink & lots would fall out…now only a couple. Not really a lot of regrowth but definitely helping me maintain.[/FONT]

 

[Aneik]

Yes definitely finasteride will maintain the hair & minoxidil will regrow some more....
See,you will notice regrowth within 2 months but definitely within 4 months of using minoxidil 5%....If no regrowth occurs within 4 months then it is of no value of continuing minoxidil 5%,...
Dont ever stop finasteride...I stopped it for only 2 months & is paying for it...
Also shedding while in minoxidil is very common.You will face it every 6-8 months but varies from person to person thats because minoxidil stimulates most of the hairs to go into anagen phase.So,naturally when this whole bunch will go into telogen it will shed together...Again new hair will come,so nothing to worry..

- - - Updated - - -

BTW,you can also use generic finasteride,its a lot cheaper....
And many people have misconceptions that generic finasteride will not act as good as propecia...Thats a totally wrong notion...

 

[dan abnormal]

Update:
well, i switched from 2% twice daily to 2%AM & 5%PM only 10 days ago & my scalp is itchy & visibly red already.

I was fine with the 2% just wanted to save some $$$ by switching to 5% since 2% in Canada is a lot more expensive than buying 5% from the US.

Been using 2% since Fall of 2011 & never had a problem with itchiness or redness.

 

[dan abnormal]

[FONT=&quot]another update:

So I took 10 days off of minoxidil. Scalp was feeling pretty good so I decided to give 2% minoxidil a go again. Used it once & have the burning sensation again.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What does this mean? Am I going to have to quit minoxidil?

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’ve been on 2% for 3 years and never had a single problem. I switch to Kirkland 5% & get this. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Will I ever be able to go back to 2%? Should I stop longer? Try the foam?[/FONT]

 

[dan abnormal]

[FONT=&quot]Update:

I took 2 weeks off minoxidil. Scalp felt pretty good. Started 5% foam once a day in the evening & about 10 days later it’s starting to burn again. Not as bad but it’s still there. damn.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I might take a month off to let the scalp heal completely then just go back with the 2%. Taking a month off worries me a bit since Ive been using minoxidil for 3 years.[/FONT]