Minoxidil - survey of long term use

[MB8]

Hi,

There are many posts by people who've only been using minoxidil for a short time (say, a few months).

Sometimes they've quit (usually because of excessive shedding), and sometimes they're determined to stay the course - but, either way, it's too soon to provide any sort of useful information as regards results.

So I'm hoping to do a brief survey of long term users (at least a year to 18 months), just to see what sort of success (or not) people have had.

Please take time to answer the questions below

(1) Brand & Strength
(2) How long have you been using it?
(3) Where do you apply it? (hairline/crown)
(4) Did you experience an initial shed? If so, for how long?
(5) Any improvement? If so, where - hairline, crown, both?
(6) Do you use any other treatments? (e.g. finasteride, nizoral, etc)
(7) Overall, are you happy with your decision to use minoxidil?
(8) Anything additional you want to add?

Many thanks. I hope people reply.

[Swooping]

1. Kirkland minox 5%
2. Little over 1 year in total
3. Whole scalp currently 2ML (once a day)
4. Nope
5. Yeah definitely over whole scalp thickening + regrowth. Although I mix it with RU-58841.
6. Yes RU-58841 and I cycle hydrocortisone/retin-a
7. Jup cheap and effective
8.

[MB8]

Thanks, Swooping. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. And I'm glad that you seem to be seeing good results.

Thanks again, and all the best.

[IAmAce]

Hopefully more folk take part in this!

[garytee]

maybe make it a poll

[Buster]

Yeah, a poll is a good idea. I'm also curious about the results too because I've heard some amazing stories about Minox, but I've also heard some bad ones.

[MB8]

Unfortunately, a poll only allows you to set a single question.
I would ask those who wish to reply to copy 'n' paste the questions, and then type their answers.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience, and I hope that this doesn't deter anyone from responding. Thanks and all the best.

[Widowmaker]

(1) Brand & Strength
Rogaine 5%. Been alternating foam & liquid.

(2) How long have you been using it?
4 years?

(3) Where do you apply it? (hairline/crown)
All over my head

(4) Did you experience an initial shed? If so, for how long?
No

(5) Any improvement? If so, where - hairline, crown, both?
Not really. Perhaps with the thickness of my existing hair.

(6) Do you use any other treatments? (e.g. finasteride, nizoral, etc)
Dut 0.5
Niz 2% x 3-4 days/week

(7) Overall, are you happy with your decision to use minoxidil?
Indifferent. Not sure if it has aided the Dut or helped maintain. I am a NW3-3.5 up front, but nothing missing from the crown area.

(8) Anything additional you want to add?
I'd like to try RU, but the price and inconvienence is a barrier...mostly the price.

[MB8]

Thanks for replying, Widowmaker. Sorry to hear that you didn't see better results. All the best.

[Notcoolanymore]

(1) Brand & Strength
Kirkland 5% foam and liquid

(2) How long have you been using it?
14 months

(3) Where do you apply it? (hairline/crown)
All over the top of my head

(4) Did you experience an initial shed? If so, for how long?
Yup, about month 2, month 7, maybe even now. Nothing major, but it does look like I am thinning again?? Maybe just imagining things?

(5) Any improvement? If so, where - hairline, crown, both?
Yes, improvement all over the top of my head.

(6) Do you use any other treatments? (e.g. finasteride, nizoral, etc)
Yes finasteride, nizoral, laser(yes laser)

(7) Overall, are you happy with your decision to use minoxidil?
Yes I am.

(8) Anything additional you want to add?
In my experience using minoxidil has been worth it. It's cheap and appears to be effective. Applying every day is no big deal. It has given me dandruff though which blows. I take pride in my hygiene. Shampooing twice has helped with the flaking.

[MB8]

Thanks, Notcoolanymore. I appreciate your answers. All the best.

[fred970]

(1) Custom 5% minoxidil solution from my local pharmacy in Brussels
(2) I've been using it for almost 5 years.
(3) I apply it on my hair line and my crown.
(4) Yes, about 3 months
(5) Hair state slightly improved for 2 years, then it all resumed quite aggressively
(6) No other treatments
(7) Yes
(8) I still use it, even after my FUE, as it's maintaining my crown pretty well. It's a great tool if you have the right amount of discipline required to make it work.

[MB8]

Thanks, fred970. All the best.