Reddit reviews Men's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Loss and Hair Regrowth, Topical Treatment for Thinning Hair, 3-Month Supply,2.11 Ounce (Pack of 3)

When it comes to hair loss in men - assuming it's Androgenetic Alopecia, a.k.a. male pattern baldness - there are two main options: medications you can take, and hair transplants (and PRP therapy, which I'll get to).

The standard medications are Finasteride (a pill, which you might by the name of Propecia), and Minoxidil (what everyone knows as Rogaine, which is topical). Finasteride lowers your serum levels of DHT, an androgen that is responsible for Androgenetic Alopecia. Think of it as the thing that attacks the hair follicles, causing them to weaken and fall out. Note that this is all simplified, though - I'm not a doctor, and it's also about 4am so I'm a bit delirious, but I have a bunch of experience with this stuff...more on that later.

With PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy, they basically draw blood, spin it up in a centrifuge to separate the plasma, and then inject that plasma into your scalp. The success/efficacy rate of this varies. It's also kinda pricey. It seems that doctors are kinda meh about it, because it's not the most powerful treatment. It's absolutely safe, though, and certainly something someone could try.

The big gun when it comes to saving hair (in addition to medication, which is often used in conjunction) is a hair transplant, of which there a couple of methods. All in all, when performing a hair transplant, a doctor takes hair from areas of your scalp where the hair is not susceptible to DHT (in men who have Androgenetic Alopecia, some hair is susceptible, and some isn't, hence the patterned baldness), and basically moves it to the areas where the hair is susceptible. They're just movin' hair around - it's all your hair. But the hair they've moved there has, like...well the DHT can't take it out.

Oh, and one more note on hair transplants: the days of "bad hair plugs" and all of that are pretty much gone. It used to be that doctors would effectively cut out circular sections (or plugs) of hair, and transplant them. Problem is/was, if that hair that's been transplanted stays - not being susceptible to DHT - but the rest of the hair in the area falls out, you can end up looking...well, pluggy....dare I say like a doll that's had its hair ripped out in sections. But now the procedures are much, much better. Hair transplants are also something of an art, the goal of them being to make you look natural. Some people perhaps have unrealistic expectations - if you're say, 42, and lost a bunch of hair, a hair transplant is not going to make you look like you're 16 again. Even if a doctor did try to do it, if you lose more hair in the areas to which the hair was transplanted, you could run into a case similar to that described above. You might not have "plug" looking sections, but it probably wouldn't look so great. So balance is key. And everyone's hair/hairlines/rates of hairloss are different. And ultimately it's important to have a good surgeon, because there are certainly cases wherein a doctor doesn't do things with an even keel.

Anyway, I have all of this info in my head because I have a history of seeing doctors for hair loss. I started noticing that I was losing hair when I was 22 or 23. I saw perhaps one of the best dermatologists in NYC, who specializes in hair loss, who recommended I use Finasteride and Minoxidil (hair transplants are usually a last resort, or a later resort, as it's hard to tell how severe someone's hair loss will be when they're young, and whether they'll be a candidate for a hair transplant. Some people have hair that is too thin, and the density of it too low to make a transplant feasible, or just cosmetically effective).

For years I didn't take Finasteride because I was just plain scared of it. There are horror stories you can read, but you really shouldn't, if only because they're rocky at best. I also have a history of depression and some body dysmorphia, and so the hair loss thing was always hitting me hard - standing in the bathroom at 3am, staring in the mirror for hours kind of hard. After a point I just couldn't stand to think about it, because it would paralyze me, so I avoided the issue best as I could.

I did however start using minoxidil/rogaine a few years later. Still not sure how effective it's been. Truth is, though, that nothing is so effective as Finasteride when it comes to medication. Finasteride can slow down hair loss dramatically, and even regrow hair in some people.

Fast forward to this past summer. I went to see a great doctor about PRP. I had never become comfortable with Finasteride, what with the horror stories written on the internet no one should even read to begin with (along with some conflicting studies about safety, that are fair game but will certainly do your head in if you're inclined to worry/obsess), the fact that you're supposed to stay on it forever (yep, but mind you I've never even liked taking Tylenol, let alone taking a medication every day for my entire life), and general dissatisfaction with the info I had gotten from doctors over time. Unfortunately some doctors don't understand Finasteride ("it only effects your scalp"...well, visually maybe, but it lowers serum DHT levels, so that statement was incorrect), some don't like it (I had a dermatologist tell me he "wouldn't mess with that stuff"), and some are so comfortable with it that if you question the safety, they give you the well-you're-not-a-doctor treatment. Heaven forbid someone should want to learn about and understand their body despite not having been to med school.

So I go see this doctor about PRP. She's amazing. She talks to me for over an hour. I love her. I want to hug her. She's the kind of doctor you wish you could go to for absolutely everything. She tells me she understands that I've been so uneasy about Finasteride, and that some doctors are a bit cavalier when it comes to prescribing it. She did say, however, that it's worth trying, just to see. Okay, but, "let me take a look at your hair and scalp."

So she does. She has this little microscope on her iphone, she's taking pictures, I love that she's being so thorough. She isn't saying much. She sits back down at her desk and says, "so I think you have a rare autoimmune disease." For the next fifteen minutes or so I kind of blanked. Here I had been thinking for years that my worst problem was having to decide about taking Finasteride, and now I've been launched into the stratosphere. And from what I did hear while I was half blacked-out was that this autoimmune disease causes a scarring form of hair loss such that you can never have a hair transplant, can't save your hair once it's gone and, fun fact, something like a hair transplant or even PRP - which a doctor I had seen previously wanted to do immediately - can make this disease explode.

So she told me there was a specialist I needed to see as soon as possible, and told me, "don't wait." Oh fucky fuck.

I'll save you the rest of the story. It's not fun. The abbreviated version is that I went to see this specialist (all of this without insurance...yay), had a biopsy, have this disease, am now taking Finasteride, using minoxidil, a steroid, and have to get injections in my scalp every month. It's certainly an option to just go bald, but I know myself, I know that for me, it would be deleterious to my mental health. And if for one second I stop trying to defend my position, I just don't want to lose my hair. This issue of how self-image and appearance is tied to mental health, and what people "should" or "shouldn't" care about is a whole other conversation. But I will say I quite despise the out-hand-dismissal of "deal with it, men go bald." I've heard that. It hurts. To anyone dealing with hair loss and wanting to do something about it - do something about it. And don't worry too much if you can help it, because there really is a solid strategy against hair loss that you can take up. Unless you like the idea of being bald, which is totally cool too, and fuck anyone who says otherwise. (I mean don't fuck them, fuck what they say. Now I'm just thinking about someone doing lewd things to words.)

So, I've written all of this - in a fucking thread about a fucking idiot at that - I think because I just "know that feel" when it comes to hair loss, and it always seems there's such shitty information, or a lack-thereof about it when it comes to men. Well, women too - women's hair loss is a huge, tricky issue too. But all in all, something like finasteride is worth a try if you're comfortable with it - I've had absolutely no side effects, and again, this is coming from someone who's a certified head-case. Plus, forget me, tons of men take Finasteride. And a hair transplant is an option for many people, too. They're also pricey, though, mind you.

One last thing I'd point out is that men's hair loss is seeing a sort of...well, companies like "Hims" are trying to sell things like minoxidil and Finasteride with hip, minimalistic, monochrome packaging, trying to get guys to realize that hair loss isn't such a big deal anymore, trying to capitalize on/create a shift in consciousness about it. And I think this is mostly a good thing. But you could be in that tiny percentage of people who have things like an autoimmune disease that essentially is scarring your scalp over, heh heh (I know it's not like I have something life threatening, but ya know, it sucks). So, in general, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist before taking any medication.

Alright. Don't know if anyone will see this. I don't know what I'm doing anymore, I'm going to sleep.

Edit: Woah, my first gold - thank you stranger!

Thirty-motherfucking-seven dollars!?

Curiosity satisfied.

Well you’re still a relatively young person, I’d imagine (don’t quote me on this) that the reason it cause “wrinkles and aging skin” would be due to the fact that it causes dryness within the area the area of application because of the Propylene Glycol in Minoxidil. This usually leads to a person not being able maintain an adequately moisturized face while you have minoxidil on your face. I can imagine that without the proper amount of natural oils (sebum), it could lead to skin aging and wrinkles. Though IF that’s the case (because I am no professional), you may want to use the foam version so you don’t experience the dryness, though you will still have to wait to take off the minoxidil before you moisturize, your skin will not become nearly as dry WHILE you have it on. Over the long term this could make a difference. Hopefully this will help you gauge which direction you what to proceed with. Aside from this, if you can afford the Foam Minoxidil from Kirkland or Rogaine for the duration of your intended use then all that is left is to weigh your pros and cons and decide if it’s worth the potential trade offs.

If you’re very concerned with the health of your skin I’d advise you to look into purchasing a Biotin 1000mcg supplement (Do not take higher than this. This is slightly more than 3 times the Daily Recommended Value of a person with metabolism of 2000 Calories; longterm use of really high contents of biotin could lead to catastrophic nerve issues, the one I provided is usually the lowest you will find but is more than enough). Also look into essential oils preferably with low comedogenic ratings or other moisturizers for your skin. As well as
Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptide Supplements. Though supplements are great, they are exactly as the name implies, they supplement. Having a healthy balanced diet, along with daily aerobic exercise is your best aid in having healthy skin.

Hopefully this helps!

Sure! I got one pack from Amazon, but then found out it was cheaper to get it from walmart, but that'll depend on where you live. I'm in Canada so all the prices I mention will be in CAD.
https://www.amazon.com/Rogaine-Minoxidil-Regrowth-Treatment-Thinning/dp/B0012BNVE8
Also, it's a lot cheaper to get the three pack than get a single every month. It's $30 for each in the three and I paid $119 (plus tax) for it whereas you'll end up paying $50-$60 if you get a single each month. Hope this helped!

Buy Rogaine Foam in 3 month increments on Amazon because it is very expensive anywhere else. The Way-Mart here in Vegas doesn't carry it anymore because people were stealing it, and the same 3 can box at Target goes for $50. Don't buy the single can either because it's $25 on Amazon which is steep for how much you'll be using it. I runs something crazy at Target like $35 a can. The Pura D'Or shampoo has a lot of different options. I just bought this Pura D'Or shampoo and conditioner and really like it. I always work it in my hair and let it sit for a few minutes with both the shampoo and conditioner since they both block DHT. You also may want to start taking saw palmetto until you get the finesteride. It's a supplement that you can find at Wal Mart that blocks DHT as well, just not as well as finesteride. So to recap:

Step 1: take a pic of your hair the day you start so you can see the progress in pics.

Step 2: order Rogaine Foam from Amazon.

Step 3: order Pura D'Or from Amazon.

Step 4: order Saw Palmetto from Amazon.

Step 5: set up an appointment with local dermatologist, even out of pocket it should be $100 for the visit and about $100 a month for the pills.

Step 6: wash hair twice daily with Pura D'Or, use Rogaine to style your hair twice daily, take saw palmetto twice daily, and finesteride once daily. They all block DHT and help healthy hair grow.

Step 7: wash, rinse, and repeat and take pics every 3 months so you can help the next fellow thinning redditor in the future just like I've helped you.

Step 8: save up your cash, and hit me up for a discount on all MGM rooms here in Las Vegas to show off your thick mane to all the ladies here in Las Vegas that you've been nurturing for months.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0012BNVE8/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

its like £15 a month, well worth it in my opinion, wont make it grow back for most people but it will slow the process a huge amount, mines grown back a little bit.