Hellouser's RU Log (with Minox, CB Nizoral and Saw Palmetto)
Many of you have seen me post and boast about RU and many of you have also inquired about my progress... well, here is my log.
I noticed my hair going bad.. I mean really bad back in around March of 2011. I didn't notice it thin out or anything, but rather my hair line go waaaay back than what it used to be. I noticed this after I was at a club with friends and had some pictures of myself taken. The lighting on my face was rather harsh and it exposed a lot of scalp behind the hairline which made the hairline look higher than it actually is. This is where my life started going downhill..... its when I realized I looked fvcking weird and it was my hair. By this time I was already an NW2-3, but I never really took much notice into my hairline.. I didn't care about it before, I thought I looked normal (I mean I still do, but society is full of shithead assholes so no, by their standards I dont look normal).
February, 2011 - Before Regimen
So I started reading about things that can be done. I learned about Saw Palmetto, Nizoral, Finasteride, hair transplants and Replicel. I read about Finasteride castrating men and giving many side effects and it was a complete write off. It still is and its a dangerous drug which no man should take. I'm not saying I'd take it away from those who are already on it with results, but Finasteride is pure bullshit. My first line of defense? Saw Palmetto, and even with that I was hesitant as I ready about mild effects. But the bad breathe issue was the worst problem. It subsided eventually though.
Here's what my hair looked like then (these are from a club, so apologies for the crappy quality). Mind you, I used to use a good but 'wet' product called Bedhead by Tigi. This makes hair look quite thin as it climps hair real close together, hence it looking thin below.
So here's where I start fighting this disease that nobody cares about;
April, 2011
I start taking saw palmetto. Did my research, relatively small sides if any, much safer than finasteride, 1 pill a day (eventually moved up to 2 pills a day, 160mg each). Also started using Nizoral.
June, 2011
I start taking Kirkland's Minoxidil 2%, twice a day. I suppose in the pics below I shed a bit however I don't remember freaking out about hairs in the tub or on my pillow.
October, 2011
Ordered 5grams of RU from Ontario Chemicals and start using in 1ml application of 0.7ml isopropyl (wrong vehicle) and 0.3ml of PG. Concentration of RU was probably about 10mg. USELESS. At this dosage, almost impossible to get side effects more so since I was using isopropyl.
RU is now applied once daily, Minoxidil once daily as well.
March, 2012
In the picture below I am 5 months into using 1ml of RU with about 1-2% concentration (10-20mg) with about 1ml of Minoxidil at 2%. I should mention that while I'm on this regimen, I often used only 0.5ml total per day which all went into my hairline. The rest of my pathetic head I battled with Minox.
September, 2012
Ran out of 5g of RU (yeah, after 11 months). Order 10g of RU from Ontario Chemicals again, still using Isopropyl but upped the dosage of RU to 5% concentration per 1ml (so 50mg per 1ml) and used once daily. Still on Minoxidil 2% once daily, still on Saw Palmetto and Nizoral.
No further loss, no shedding still but no regrowth either.
December, 2012
Ran out of 2% Minoxidil from Kirklands, changed it to Kirklands 5%.
MASSIVE SHEDDING (therefor, major loss in density).
Hair got thinner immediately in the following weeks.
Still on RU at 5% in 1ml, Saw Palmetto and Nizoral.
January, 2013
Below is a photo of my hair RIGHT after a lot of Minox was applied all over and we see a drastic change for the worse. The shedding from the switch to Minoxidil at 5% is evident and things look terrible. Mind you in the photos below I am using between 1.5-2ml of Minoxidil and these pictures are IMMEDIATELY after application hence my hair looks wet and thin.
February 15th, 2013
STILL SHEDDING and most likely due to going from 2% to 5% minoxidil. Shedding is common and usually a sign of efficacy. Ran out of RU, got 10g again of RU, but also purchased Everclear to fix the vehicle. Upped the dosage of RU to about 100mg per 1ml (thus 10% solution) once daily.
March, 2013
Shedding slowing down significantly. No regrowth yet however small hairs have shown up around the hairline.
April 19th, 2013
Havent had a haircut since January/February so hair is quite long. Still shedding. But: LOTS of new hairs have sprouted around the hairline and the small hairs at hairline visible 1 month prior are now longer, but only visible when seen up close. I hope the same holds true for the vertex and crown to hold onto my hair until Aderans/Histogen is out.
Currently:
Today is May 1st, and I recently added CB once daily at 1% (1-1.5ml) thus the new regimen is now:
100mg RU in 1ml, once daily
10-15mg CB in 1ml or 1.5ml, once daily
Minoxidil 5% at about 1.5ml, once daily
Saw Palmetto (320mg - 550mg daily, depending on available pills)
Nizoral 2%
I'm also using some shampoos with Saw Palmetto and am planning on acquiring MiN New York hair products (a clay which contains saw palmetto and azelaic acid, probably useless but better than nothing).
I've also noticed THICK and DARK terminal hairs show up at the hairline! These are hairs I dont remember seeing from a while back and potentially havent been around in years! There aren't many, maybe about 20, but its a clear sign things are working.
Future treatment:
I recently acquired Lubrajel, the same vehicle used in the study for BNP-32 as a topical treatment for hair loss. You can read about this peptide here or my general summary here
I have quite a bit of cash saved up for a surgical treatment for Dr. Gho, but if the guys from other forums already experimenting with BNP-32 get results, I will be buying some BNP-32 myself and using my lubrajel to regrow the temples and entire scalp. If that fails, its Gho time (or someone else that can offer regeneration).
I do want to say though that the last two years of my life have EASILY been the most depressing, most angry, most lacking. I'm trying to wait very patiently for a treatment from Histogen and Aderans.
If anyone is curious about how effective is CB? I don't know yet, its too soon to tell.
As for side effects? None from RU as far as I can tell. No brain fog, no limp-finasteride-dick however I have experienced many drops in Libido from Saw Palmetto. Whats weird is that sometimes my libido is RAGING high and I'll be getting random stiffies at work too. Though I suppose the reduced libido could also be due to physical inactivity and general depression.
LOL at people like Tracy who say RU doesn't work for people with "actual" MPB.
Not to downgrade Tracy because she is very helpful to a lot of people on the forum, but the days of propecia being the only good treatment are over.
05-01-2013 07:57 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearTheLoss
LOL at people like Tracy who say RU doesn't work for people with "actual" MPB.
Not to downgrade Tracy because she is very helpful to a lot of people on the forum, but the days of propecia being the only good treatment are over.
She's part of the reason why I made the log public. I got tired of her FDA dickriding. This will hopefully shut her up.
But I've said it before, that if a drug was released for women that compromised the use of her snatch, she'd be singing a different tune. Oh who am I kidding, if a drug was released for women, it'd be a cure. Nobody cares about mens health. Sigh.
05-01-2013 08:07 PM
UK_
LOOL Tracy said RU doesnt work? Ive been on the stuff for 6 months and its done absolute wonders.
05-01-2013 08:26 PM
greatjob!
Thank you for this brotha!! This is some of the best documentation and results I've seen of these treatments so far. I have had my doubts about all of these treatments, and since I have experienced no sides from fin I didn't see the need for them, however after this thread I think I am gonna have to give this a go. Good work and congrats on your gains!!
05-01-2013 08:29 PM
UK_
Hellouser - in your honest opinion what do you think has been the most effective treatment from your regimen?
I know we all take the piss out of saw palmetto - but its effects on DHT levels have been readily observed and it's clear it has some effect on hair loss (almost like a very weak finasteride).
Its also quite amazing the difference between the picture taken in February 2013 to the one taken in April 2013, is that due to the length of the hair?
05-01-2013 08:32 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by UK_
Hellouser - in your honest opinion what do you think has been the most effective treatment from your regimen?
I know we all take the piss out of saw palmetto - but its effects on DHT levels have been readily observed and it's clear it has some effect on hair loss (almost like a very weak finasteride).
Seeing how I've been on Saw Palmetto for a long time, or since the beginning (2 years ago) its evident that its done next to nothing given the recent shed and April, 2013's results.
I'm thinking of ditching saw palmetto to increase my libido. I left for Europe last year for 2 months and didnt take my saw palmetto pills with me. After about 1 months my libido was very high.
Oddly enough though, my libido was also REALLY high during December, 2012 while on saw palmetto. I suppose it could be RU though.
05-01-2013 08:42 PM
PatientlyWaiting
I see the thickness in your hair in that latest pic. Keep at it and keep this thread updated. RU needs as much users with before and after pics as possible.
Congrats on the success and I hope you continue to get great results.
05-01-2013 08:43 PM
The Alchemist
Wow, you've gone through some major swings in hair density! That's got to be rough on the mental health. But, the good news is that you've found something that works for you. Keep at it and good luck.
Did you get the RU through a group buy? I've always been too afraid to try it. I'm very sensitive to finasteride and will never go near that crap again or anything like it.
05-01-2013 08:43 PM
FearTheLoss
I don't understand why people are skeptical about RU...in clinical trials it out performed Finasteride by a good amount at 6months
05-01-2013 08:45 PM
clandestine
Wonderful gains, seriously. And good documentation.
I envy your ability to muck 100mg RU/day!
05-01-2013 08:46 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Alchemist
Wow, you've gone through some major swings in hair density! That's got to be rough on the mental health. But, the good news is that you've found something that works for you. Keep at it and good luck.
Did you get the RU through a group buy? I've always been too afraid to try it. I'm very sensitive to finasteride and will never go near that crap again or anything like it.
I actually bought it from a guy that was opting out of meds and going for an HT. He sold me his RU, which is what I've been using. He got it from a group buy.
Best $200 I've ever spent, lol.
05-01-2013 08:47 PM
UK_
Quote:
Originally Posted by clandestine
Wonderful gains, seriously. And good documentation.
I envy your ability to muck 100mg RU/day!
Why? because of side effects ? cost?
05-01-2013 08:47 PM
UK_
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellouser
I actually bought it from a guy that was opting out of meds and going for an HT. He sold me his RU, which is what I've been using. He got it from a group buy.
Best $200 I've ever spent, lol.
You can get the 1% bottle from MPB treatments and its ready-mixed.
05-01-2013 08:49 PM
PatientlyWaiting
Quote:
Originally Posted by UK_
You can get the 1% bottle from MPB treatments and its ready-mixed.
About 2 weeks ago I wanted to buy it from them, but i'm in the U.S. and that seems to be one of the products they don't ship to us. I wonder when they will ship RU over here.
05-01-2013 08:52 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by UK_
You can get the 1% bottle from MPB treatments and its ready-mixed.
1% is way too weak, especially premixed as you dont know how long its been sitting premixed and how long it could be stuck in customs. If its been in the solution for more than 6 weeks (which sometimes can be in customs for that long) then your risking it. Regardless, I wouldnt even bother with RU at 1%.
05-01-2013 08:56 PM
FearTheLoss
I agree with Hell..the minimum I've seen RU work at, and by work I mean stopping further loss, is 20mg daily....to be safe I would use at least 50mg daily.
05-01-2013 08:59 PM
PatientlyWaiting
So 50mg a day is the least you should use for it be effective enough to thicken up your hair? So does any one know what would be the safest dose to actually get regrowth? Maybe 80mg a day?
05-01-2013 09:18 PM
UK_
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellouser
1% is way too weak, especially premixed as you dont know how long its been sitting premixed and how long it could be stuck in customs. If its been in the solution for more than 6 weeks (which sometimes can be in customs for that long) then your risking it. Regardless, I wouldnt even bother with RU at 1%.
Is there a guide for mixing this stuff yourself? MPBTreatments say they mix on the day of dispatch but I guess the customs issue is a concern, id much prefer to self-mix because I think stability and dosage differences is the main problem when buying pre-mixed solutions.
05-01-2013 09:23 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by UK_
Is there a guide for mixing this stuff yourself? MPBTreatments say they mix on the day of dispatch but I guess the customs issue is a concern, id much prefer to self-mix because I think stability and dosage differences is the main problem when buying pre-mixed solutions.
dude, come on! LOL, i posted a thread about a usage guide AND a link to this thread at the bottom of my post in THIS thread!
Some of you guys really need to read the thread and stop skimming through information, especially when somebody takes the time to write a detailed description on their progress.
Nice job Hellouser. I personally appreciate the time you put in outlining your battle with hairloss and the pictures that detail your regimen and progress. This is only going to assist me and others as they try to find a solution/treatment that works for them. Awesome stuff.
05-01-2013 09:39 PM
StayThick
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellouser
March, 2012
In the picture below I am 5 months into using 1ml of RU with about 1-2% concentration (10-20mg) with about 1ml of Minoxidil at 2%. I should mention that while I'm on this regimen, I often used only 0.5ml total per day which all went into my hairline. The rest of my pathetic head I battled with Minox.
You increased your dosage from this and have recommended starting at 50mg (5%) solution of RU, yet for 5 months you used a 1-2% concentration. Wouldn't that be a concentration I should start with considering I am prone to sides with FIN and want to ease myself into this?
I mean 5 months is a long time at that solution. Is it that 5% you found the most success with limited to no side-effects, which is why you recommend starting at that dosage?
Just curious. Again, awesome write-up.
05-01-2013 09:39 PM
FearTheLoss
Quote:
Originally Posted by clandestine
Side effects.
Try using RU with KB man...I haven't heard of hardly anyone who's had side effects with the KB vehicle...it was designed to eliminate sides
05-01-2013 09:39 PM
mmmcoffee
So if I were to consider RU...should I quit fin or use them conjunctively? I haven't noticed any hit to my libido using .5mg of fin a day but also no outstanding results.
05-01-2013 09:44 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmmcoffee
So if I were to consider RU...should I quit fin or use them conjunctively? I haven't noticed any hit to my libido using .5mg of fin a day but also no outstanding results.
Actually, if I were on fin without side effects, id add RU into the mix as well and see what the two combined can do along with minox.
Yeah it'd be a bit of extra work but would be really interesting to see how much DHT is suppressed and how much regrowth one would get.
05-01-2013 09:46 PM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by StayThick
You increased your dosage from this and have recommended starting at 50mg (5%) solution of RU, yet for 5 months you used a 1-2% concentration. Wouldn't that be a concentration I should start with considering I am prone to sides with FIN and want to ease myself into this?
I mean 5 months is a long time at that solution. Is it that 5% you found the most success with limited to no side-effects, which is why you recommend starting at that dosage?
Just curious. Again, awesome write-up.
You could, and perhaps its best if you start low and work your way up until you notice side effects. I wouldnt go higher than 10% though (100mg/1ml).
05-02-2013 02:00 AM
Hairismylife
Why Gho? You've got good regrowth!
05-02-2013 03:51 AM
bananana
mpbtreatments.com has 5% RU strength, I'm thinking about trying it, you have a very similar mpb to me and you really got a great regrowth..
05-02-2013 04:47 AM
TO YOUNG TO RETIRE
hellouser congrats
05-02-2013 04:50 AM
TO YOUNG TO RETIRE
can you post some pics? thanks. lol tracy looks like she works for a company its ridiculus
Quote:
Originally Posted by UK_
LOOL Tracy said RU doesnt work? Ive been on the stuff for 6 months and its done absolute wonders.
05-02-2013 05:38 AM
MrBlonde
I nominate Hellouser for poster of the year.
05-02-2013 06:46 AM
Pentarou
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearTheLoss
I don't understand why people are skeptical about RU...
Difficulty getting a reliable supply, and suppliers. Plenty of people have had their fingers burnt in the past, sadly.
05-02-2013 08:00 AM
clandestine
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearTheLoss
Try using RU with KB man...I haven't heard of hardly anyone who's had side effects with the KB vehicle...it was designed to eliminate sides
Thanks, but I do use RU with KB. I'm just very (very) prone to side effects. Fin, saw palmetto, RU, whatever aa; doesn't matter.
05-02-2013 08:38 AM
WarLord
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearTheLoss
LOL at people like Tracy who say RU doesn't work for people with "actual" MPB.
Not to downgrade Tracy because she is very helpful to a lot of people on the forum, but the days of propecia being the only good treatment are over.
In Europe, we have a good anti-androgen topical called Alpicort F. It is produced by a certain German doctor. It consists of estradiol and corticosteroids. I used it in 1997-99, before switching to minoxidil completely. No regrowth, but a very reliable maintenance. The only problem lies in potential side effects: atrophy of the skin.
What is very interesting is the fact that I observed no problems during switching from Alpicort F to minoxidil. I think that if I made a switch in the opposite direction, it would end up as a disaster.
05-02-2013 09:07 AM
WarLord
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pentarou
Difficulty getting a reliable supply, and suppliers. Plenty of people have had their fingers burnt in the past, sadly.
mpbtreatments.com has 5% RU strength, I'm thinking about trying it, you have a very similar mpb to me and you really got a great regrowth..
But take into consideration that his regrowth was very probably thanks to RU and minoxidil.
05-02-2013 09:40 AM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by WarLord
But take into consideration that his regrowth was very probably thanks to RU and minoxidil.
The insane shed I went through from December 2012 -February 2013 was without a doubt at the hands of Minoxidil.
It remains to be seen how well RU works in the coming months but so far things look great.
05-02-2013 09:45 AM
BaldJerry
I hope RU works for a while. I have read 2 different people where it works for 5months to a year then a nasty shed takes place and it stops working. This is my biggest concern as my hair has gotten much thicker on it. In the mean time I am looking into CB and ASC-J9
05-02-2013 09:47 AM
hellouser
Quote:
Originally Posted by WarLord
In Europe, we have a good anti-androgen topical called Alpicort F. It is produced by a certain German doctor. It consists of estradiol and corticosteroids. I used it in 1997-99, before switching to minoxidil completely. No regrowth, but a very reliable maintenance. The only problem lies in potential side effects: atrophy of the skin.
What is very interesting is the fact that I observed no problems during switching from Alpicort F to minoxidil. I think that if I made a switch in the opposite direction, it would end up as a disaster.
Isnt atrophy a common side effect from topical steroids?
I'm curious though, if CB will have a similar effect if at all given that it only requires to be used at 1% concentration.
