Which angle of approach would be best for me to force my vellus hairs to go terminal?

[recedingyt]

So my hair loss is almost entirely reversed but my hairline is still kind of a typically masculine 'M' shape as you can see below. I'd like to make it more like my juvenile hairline with no temple recession whatsoever, so that it can be a more feminine hairline. I've got plenty of vellus hairs there to do it, but the problem is making them go full on cosmetically significant/terminal.

Right now as far as growth stimulants go I'm using minoxidil and I'm dermarolling. I'm also on HRT for being transgender which includes spironolactone, estradiol, and medroxyprogesterone.

I guess what I'm asking is, from a scientific standpoint, which angle/pathway is theoretically best for turning existing vellus hair into terminal hair? And what can I do to stimulate those pathways that I'm not already doing with my current regimen?

 

[buckthorn]

IMO - I would think RU and a high concentration minoxidil may help, along with dermarolling. That's just a guess based on my own experience. Since I started using it, in just a month, I have noticed a bunch of vellous growth where there was absolutely nothing at all! I hope that some of those turn terminal. I think the RU is good, for allowing the receptors to be almost completely free of androgens, keeping the hair from further miniaturization and the higher concentration minoxidil forces the follicle to stay in anagen, so the fiber can grow. The dermarolling helps supplement the follicle with growth factors.

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But again, who knows?? I actually have a masters in molecular bio and am still confused as f*ck about all these pathways. I need to read up more. haha good luck! :book::kaputt:

 

[recedingyt]

Well I thought about adding RU58841 into my regimen but then I got to thinking about the fact that it's a topical AA and I'm already tackling that angle with estradiol/spironolactone/finasteride (soon to be dutasteride). My serum T/DHT levels are already practically nonexistent, so the follicles can't be getting much androgen exposure as it is. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, but I'm finding it hard to justify the cost for RU58841 given all of that.

A stronger concentration minoxidil is a possibility though. Anyone know the highest concentration that is safe to use (without too much going systemic and me becoming a hairy beast) and where to get it in the US?

 

[Pavi]

I don't think minoxidil stays in a liquid above 5%.... I don't know how anything more is possible in a topical solution of min

 

[buckthorn]

Well I thought about adding RU58841 into my regimen but then I got to thinking about the fact that it's a topical AA and I'm already tackling that angle with estradiol/spironolactone/finasteride (soon to be dutasteride). My serum T/DHT levels are already practically nonexistent, so the follicles can't be getting much androgen exposure as it is. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, but I'm finding it hard to justify the cost for RU58841 given all of that.

A stronger concentration minoxidil is a possibility though. Anyone know the highest concentration that is safe to use (without too much going systemic and me becoming a hairy beast) and where to get it in the US?

I have a legit pharmacy compound my minoxidil. It comes in a cream or "lotion" (the lotion is more of a liquid). Yes, it's stable and works great. You can get it anywhere from 5%-30%. I am using 15%. You can get it compounded with finasteride, azeliac acid, progesterone, hydrocortisone and retinol. Been using a month, so nothing to report yet. I do like how it doesn't make my hair greasy, is easy to apply and so far makes my scalp feel great (probably the HC). I think 15% is totally safe, if you've been on 5% for a long time.. otherwise, I wouldn't start with such a high concentration. I dermaroll before application.