Hair Loss Prevention
- Thread starter BigVrunga
- Start date
methusaleh
Board Supporter
My pleasure...and I will continue to post updates as things progress. Thinking of telling the GF about it, just so she can keep an eye on my progress as well...
BTW nice signature...I grew up with the guys in Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall, in fact I did 9 days of touring with them last month, including Ozzfest in Pennsylvania. Had a blast...never really knew how big either band was until I saw them play outside the Boston area...then again I can say the same for bands I've been in...
BTW nice signature...I grew up with the guys in Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall, in fact I did 9 days of touring with them last month, including Ozzfest in Pennsylvania. Had a blast...never really knew how big either band was until I saw them play outside the Boston area...then again I can say the same for bands I've been in...
jcam222
Board Supporter
This is a fantastic thread!! Have any of you experienced or heard of much success with regrowth of receding hariline wiht this protocol? Most of what I read for example on Rogaine is relevant to its ability to regrow hair in the crown area not the front. I would love to regrow frntal hair for usre...I have a very very tiny strip left thats keeping me from getting out a razor and throwing in the towel lol.
jcam222
Board Supporter
Not to stray far off topic but this is a very misunderstood law. This law provides for the abilty to import the personal use amount (generalyl two months worth I think ) of drugs that HAVE NO FDA APPROVED EQUIVALENT. This would not qualify a finasteride. this is the same legal mistake people make when they think its ok to order HGH from china. Often if the law felt like pursuing the penalties and can be as stiff or stiffer than class iii substance possession. Its considred a felong offense of importation of a dangerous drug,rrgg said:
lifted
Well-known member
hey jcam, I've been using the minox/aa combo for a little over 3 months now, and after the initial shedding (it was actually kinda bad at first) I am already growing new hair on my temples. I am also trying to regrow a *tiny* bit in the front, it's not even noticeable, but I have an adonis complex like most BB'ers and notice it...lol. Well, so far no luck there, but I will keep you updated on it. But as far as the temples, it's really starting to pop out new hairs there now....and since atm I sport a bald fade on the sides and back of my head and very short on the top, I can tell really well now. with all of the protein I eat, my hair in general grows really fast and I usually gotta get it cut every two weeks or so.....and each time I get it cut, I notice more new hairs coming in...so I'd say give it a shot...with the prices as low as they are on this stuff...you really have nothing to lose bro...good luck.jcam222 said:
BigVrunga
Well-known member
Finasteride is actually supposed to be effective for encouraging hair regrowth at the front of the head. However, I would try all available topical options before utilizing an oral solution.
Minoxidil.com carries a 15% minoxidil/ 5% azelaic acid solution that should be quite effective at regrowing frontal hair. Its a bit pricey at $88.00, but one bottle last for 4 months.
Ive got a spot on the front of my head that seems stubborn to respond to the hair regrowth treatments, and Ill be ordering the 15% solution this week. Ill keep this thread posted with the results.
BV
LCSULLA
Well-known member
I have had hairloss for about 15 yrs, and I have tried most of the things out there. The "only" combo that regrew most of my hair was fina/minox/ Flutamide. It grew almost all my hair back but the sides where horriable. Gyno and major loss of labido where two the biggest, noticable sides.
The second "best" is minox/ Avodart. Proscar did little for me; so I bumped it to Avodart when it came out.
The second "best" is minox/ Avodart. Proscar did little for me; so I bumped it to Avodart when it came out.
BigVrunga
Well-known member
Just minox/azelaic acid has been quite effective for me. I usually use the Xandrox brand but in the interest of saving money I went with WWHP's solution. Two months later and my hair is noticeably thinner than before.
Either their solution is ineffective for me, or its very potent and caused some increased temporary shedding.
The next step will be 1.25mg/day of Finasteride combined with Minox/AA. I dont know if Ill need it though - I have a full head of hair but I can tell its a bit thinner at the vertex and the front of the head.
If the above combo didnt work, then I'd keep my hair as long as I could and then shave my head when it got too noticeable. I really want to keep my hair, but its in no way worth feminizing side effects.
BV
lifted
Well-known member
Hmm...that's odd, because I've been using WHPs minox/aa 5% combo since I've started...think I've used 3 bottles of their's so far and it seems to be working great for myself. I also exp massive shedding at first, but has since stopped and am getting regrowth again as said above....maybe it IS a bit stronger?BigVrunga said:
BigVrunga
Well-known member
It definitely could be - you can tell the WHP solution has a strong IPA content which could definitely result in increased absorption. If that's the case, then that's great because its really inexpensive.
I just bit the bullet and spent $134 on the 120ml 15% minoxidil/5% AA solution, 65ml of Xandrox 'nighttime' (5% minox/ 5% AA / 2% Retin-A), and another bottle of regrowth treathment shampoo. That will last 4 months though - so that's not too bad I guess. Just sucks - that was my Activate/Rebound XT money
If the WHP stuff is infact stronger, than on the new regimen my hair growth should explode like a chia pet
BV
I just bit the bullet and spent $134 on the 120ml 15% minoxidil/5% AA solution, 65ml of Xandrox 'nighttime' (5% minox/ 5% AA / 2% Retin-A), and another bottle of regrowth treathment shampoo. That will last 4 months though - so that's not too bad I guess. Just sucks - that was my Activate/Rebound XT money
If the WHP stuff is infact stronger, than on the new regimen my hair growth should explode like a chia pet
BV
LCSULLA
Well-known member
BigVrunga said:It definitely could be - you can tell the WHP solution has a strong IPA content which could definitely result in increased absorption. If that's the case, then that's great because its really inexpensive.
I just bit the bullet and spent $134 on the 120ml 15% minoxidil/5% AA solution, 65ml of Xandrox 'nighttime' (5% minox/ 5% AA / 2% Retin-A), and another bottle of regrowth treathment shampoo. That will last 4 months though - so that's not too bad I guess. Just sucks - that was my Activate/Rebound XT money
If the WHP stuff is infact stronger, than on the new regimen my hair growth should explode like a chia pet
BV
Don't be disappointed with the results BV. I used 15% when it came out and it didn't do anything more then 5%. Dr. Lee doesn't say it but the scalp will only absorb so much. For example with 5% the amount absorbed is like 1.5% of minox gets into the scalp. That leaves 3.5 that did get absorbed.
BigVrunga
Well-known member
Thanks for the word of caution LcSculla. Its not too much of a cost difference to use the 15% vs the 5% for the same amount of time, so I figured it was worth a shot. I seem to respond well to minoxidil - so we'll see if that extra percentage makes a difference.
One thing to try would be to formulate some 'empty' solution (which would be as easy as mixing IPA and propylene glycol) and put it in a dabber bottle. If you could hit your scalp with this, say 2 times after your daytime application you'd end up abosorbing quite a bit more minoxidil that was left on your scalp.
Ive been alternating between Dr.Lee's Xandrox line and less expensive options from Custom and WHP every few months to save cash. I have to admit, I always notice better results with the pricer Xandrox stuff. My problem with it is its a LOT pricer, like on the order of 2 or 3 times the amount.
Im about to source my own bulk powders and make the stuff myself. Either that or save up and get the laser comb
BV
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BigVrunga
Well-known member
You know now that I think about it - the increased shedding started about 2 weeks after I started using the WHP products. If I wasnt getting enough minoxidil - it should have taken about 2-3 months to start losing hair. However, an increase in the amount of minox getting into my scalp would cause hairs that were already in the telogen phase to fall out much quicker.
Hmmmm....
BV
Hmmmm....
BV
Shock133
Registered User
I have started using Xandrox 5, a laser comb and Nano shampoo/conditioner about 2 weeks ago and have seen great improvements. My shedding completely stopped and my hair has thickened a great deal. I can hardly notice the thinning any longer.
The laser comb I purchased was a cheaper version. It has the same exact lasers but is made by a guy that has a home business of sorts. It's definitely not as ergonomic as the more expensive ones but you won't hear me complaining about spending $100 instead of $600. It works just fine.
Obviously since I'm using more than one therapy I cannot tell you which is doing what amount of good. I can attest to one or both of the drugs in my Max/Superdrol stack making me shed like crazy. Maybe the end of the cycle and getting it out of my bloodstream is the culprit for seeing new hair growth and thickness but I'm guessing that the majority of improvements are due to my therapy.
The laser comb I purchased was a cheaper version. It has the same exact lasers but is made by a guy that has a home business of sorts. It's definitely not as ergonomic as the more expensive ones but you won't hear me complaining about spending $100 instead of $600. It works just fine.
Obviously since I'm using more than one therapy I cannot tell you which is doing what amount of good. I can attest to one or both of the drugs in my Max/Superdrol stack making me shed like crazy. Maybe the end of the cycle and getting it out of my bloodstream is the culprit for seeing new hair growth and thickness but I'm guessing that the majority of improvements are due to my therapy.
travbedaman
Member
BigVrunga said:
I came across this thread the other day..it`s pretty long, but near the last page or so there are links to buy the stuff you need.
Invalid Link Removed
BigVrunga
Well-known member
Well guys - thanks to Shock133's post piquing my interest in LLLT and travbedaman's link, I am going to go ahead and build my own 'laser brush' unit. Im pretty handy with a soldering iron, so it should be a fun project...
Ill keep this thread updated with progress pics, etc. Most of the reviews Ive read concerning laser therapy are surprisingly positive - looking forward to trying it out.
BV
Ill keep this thread updated with progress pics, etc. Most of the reviews Ive read concerning laser therapy are surprisingly positive - looking forward to trying it out.
BV
Shock133
Registered User
Just me I guess. I read some research on different shampoos and Nano was the only one that had regrown hair. I have used Nioxin and that stuff is awesome too. I'm not sure about regrowth from it but it definitely makes your hair healthy and quite a bit thicker.rrgg said:
John Smeton
Legend
ive read that Azelaic acid is the best dht inhibitor with no side effects penetrating into the skin. I dont know how true this is but it looks promising.
im doing my first superdol cycle real soon. I am wondering if Azelaic acid should be effective in blocking dht , stop sheddign if it is a cuprit because at first research superdrol didnt cause thing, but now i see a couple people who say theyve done a superdrol cycle that could have caused some thinning. Im not leaving this one up the chance boys.
Bv, Shock and others please comment
im doing my first superdol cycle real soon. I am wondering if Azelaic acid should be effective in blocking dht , stop sheddign if it is a cuprit because at first research superdrol didnt cause thing, but now i see a couple people who say theyve done a superdrol cycle that could have caused some thinning. Im not leaving this one up the chance boys.
Bv, Shock and others please comment
BigVrunga
Well-known member
smeton - AFIK, hairloss from superdrol could come from DHT or another androgenic metabolite...its such a new compound I dont think anyone really knows for sure.
With this in mind, your best bet is a combination of AA and an general androgen blocker like Spiro or Fluridil.
You also might want to give the laser comb a try...I didnt believe it myself at first but after reading numerous reports of positive user feedback I have to try this for myself! The link above is where Shock133 got his 'laser brush' - you can get one fully assembled for ~$100 or buy the kit and build it yourself for about $80. Ill be ordering most of the components today for mine - looks like you can build one yourself if you shop around for the most inexpensive components for around $40.
The Nano shampoo that Shock mentioned also looks very promising as well.
If you're already thinning or know for sure your genetically prone to MBP - best to attack the issue of prevention from every conceivable angle.
BV
With this in mind, your best bet is a combination of AA and an general androgen blocker like Spiro or Fluridil.
You also might want to give the laser comb a try...I didnt believe it myself at first but after reading numerous reports of positive user feedback I have to try this for myself! The link above is where Shock133 got his 'laser brush' - you can get one fully assembled for ~$100 or buy the kit and build it yourself for about $80. Ill be ordering most of the components today for mine - looks like you can build one yourself if you shop around for the most inexpensive components for around $40.
The Nano shampoo that Shock mentioned also looks very promising as well.
If you're already thinning or know for sure your genetically prone to MBP - best to attack the issue of prevention from every conceivable angle.
BV
BigVrunga
Well-known member
BTW - I had mentioned a few posts above that I experienced thinning after using WHP.com's minoxidil/aa product. Its still to early to tell - but Im leaning toward it being an actual increasing in minoxidil dosage.
I experienced some shedding for about 2-3 weeks after starting the WHP solution. Now, I can actually grab a fistful of hairs on my head and yank on them *hard* and I'll only lose like 2-3 hairs. More evidence that an increase in the amount if minox getting to my scalp could have caused temporary shedding.
We'll see over the next few weeks...
BV
I experienced some shedding for about 2-3 weeks after starting the WHP solution. Now, I can actually grab a fistful of hairs on my head and yank on them *hard* and I'll only lose like 2-3 hairs. More evidence that an increase in the amount if minox getting to my scalp could have caused temporary shedding.
We'll see over the next few weeks...
BV
BigVrunga
Well-known member
Ok guys so I just purchaed 6 650nm, 5mW, 3VDC laser diodes off Ebay for $26.50, shipped. I have a universal AC/DC power adapter at home, and the remainder of the parts (wires, brush, connectors, etc) should cost about $10 or so from Radio Shack.
Looks like you can build a 6-laser laser comb yourself for about $50, and that's if you have to buy a power adapter (3-12v Universal AC/DC adapters go for around $14.00 shipped on Ebay).
The 6 diode comb on Invalid Link Removed sells for $130. That's still a great price if you dont want to go through the hassle of building it, especially considering the HairMax laser comb sells for $700 new.
Pics and schematics to follow...
BV
Looks like you can build a 6-laser laser comb yourself for about $50, and that's if you have to buy a power adapter (3-12v Universal AC/DC adapters go for around $14.00 shipped on Ebay).
The 6 diode comb on Invalid Link Removed sells for $130. That's still a great price if you dont want to go through the hassle of building it, especially considering the HairMax laser comb sells for $700 new.
Pics and schematics to follow...
BV
John Smeton
Legend
Bv,
does AA or Minoxidil cause shedding at first?
let us know how well the haircomb works .
does AA or Minoxidil cause shedding at first?
let us know how well the haircomb works .
BigVrunga said:
Dave001
Guest
Why do some of you think that azelaic acid (AA) inhibits 5 alpha-reductase (5aR) in the hair follicle? The only study showing any effect of AA on 5aR was the in vitro study by Samatiadis et al.[1], which was published in the British Dermatology in 1988. That was nearly twenty-years ago, and the results have never been repeated in vivo.
Furthermore, AA has not been shown to reduce sebum production (a strong marker of local androgen activity), despite its extensive use in acne. I think it's very unlikely that AA is an effective inhibitor of 5aR in the hair follicle, but not in the sebaceous glands.
1. Stamatiadis, D., M. C. Bulteau-Portois, et al. (1988). "Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase activity in human skin by zinc and azelaic acid." British Journal of Dermatology 119(5): 627-32.
Furthermore, AA has not been shown to reduce sebum production (a strong marker of local androgen activity), despite its extensive use in acne. I think it's very unlikely that AA is an effective inhibitor of 5aR in the hair follicle, but not in the sebaceous glands.
1. Stamatiadis, D., M. C. Bulteau-Portois, et al. (1988). "Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase activity in human skin by zinc and azelaic acid." British Journal of Dermatology 119(5): 627-32.
Dave001
Guest
BigVrunga said:
I'm not quite sure what you mean. There haven't been any controlled trials of azelaic acid in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). I would strongly caution against assigning any value to anecdotal reports, especially when they concern a process such as AGA, which naturally progresses very slowly and unpredictably. Please don't make me list the problems with doing so.
methusaleh
Board Supporter
smeton_yea:
My experience shows that the AA is responsible for the shedding; I only experienced the shedding after applying AA. When I was ran out of AA on a couple occasions, just applying Minoxidil and/or shampooing with Nizoral (the other two weapons in my arsenal) did NOT result in shedding.
My experience shows that the AA is responsible for the shedding; I only experienced the shedding after applying AA. When I was ran out of AA on a couple occasions, just applying Minoxidil and/or shampooing with Nizoral (the other two weapons in my arsenal) did NOT result in shedding.
BigVrunga
Well-known member
10-15 minutes 2x per week is what's suggested. When I first read about LLLT, I was very skeptical. However, Shock133's posts and general research got me started thinking otherwise.
I plan on using the comb along with topical Minoxidil/AA/Retin-A/Regrowth Treatment Shampoo (Nizoral + Salycilic acid) and Nano shampoo. Im keeping Finasteride as an option, but dont want to use it unless I feel I have to.
I have a heck of a lot more hair on my head than my Dad did at my age, but you can tell its thinner in some spots if you look close enough. My goal (and isnt everybody's) to have a thick head of hair with no signs whatsoever of MPB.
BV
I plan on using the comb along with topical Minoxidil/AA/Retin-A/Regrowth Treatment Shampoo (Nizoral + Salycilic acid) and Nano shampoo. Im keeping Finasteride as an option, but dont want to use it unless I feel I have to.
I have a heck of a lot more hair on my head than my Dad did at my age, but you can tell its thinner in some spots if you look close enough. My goal (and isnt everybody's) to have a thick head of hair with no signs whatsoever of MPB.
BV
BigVrunga
Well-known member
I know that there arent any clinical trials proving the efficacy of AA in the treatment of AGA. I also know that since Ive been using AA/Minoxidil products Ive regrown a good bit of hair. Maybe this was due only to the effects Minoxidil. Perhaps everyone who has shown positive results with an azelaic acid/minoxidil combo is mistaken and is just wasting their money.
Maybe, when someone is losing their hair they'll try anything that shows promise and has worked well for other people. And yes, I have relied on anecdotal evidence when it comes to trying to reverse my genetic AGA. As long as I keep seeing my hair get thicker, I will continue to do so.
If you'd like to list the problems that accompany this less-than-scientific approach please, feel free. Meanwhile, I will keep researching any and all affordable solutions that show promise when it comes to slowing down/halting/reversing this piece of **** genetic affliction that 50% of the male population has to deal with at some point in their lives.
I don't know, I hadn't heard of it until Shock mentioned it in his post. AFIK, Nano 'may' help to regrow hair. Might be worth trying, its not very expensive.
BV
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