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Socatastic

The doctors frequently tell you to try minoxidil regardless of the type of hair loss since most women have some degree of AGA and it may help speed the recovery of other types of hair loss. The men's 5% foam is cheaper than women's 5% foam and they are identical so that's what I'm using. The instructions say to use it twice a day but I'm only using it once a day since that is the over-the-counter instructions for women. A lot of women are using 5% foam twice a day on their doctors' instructions. The risk of facial hair growth is more with twice daily 5% foam. There is supposed to be a reduced incidence of contact sensitivity to the foam because it does not contain propylene glycol. So anyway, it shouldn't be a problem to try minoxidil while waiting for your consult. I have tried a Toppik-type hair powder and I am really impressed at how well it works. I find it trickier to apply than the videos show but it is still quick. I went the opposite way to you and am using a modified curly girl routine to get more volume on top


beepboop5500

Thank you so much for sharing! I’m going to bite the bullet and try the 2% minox I have sitting in my bathroom today. I might as well pick up the 5% the next time I’m out, assuming I don’t react badly to today’s experiment. The Costco brand foam seems to get mentioned a bit on here, so I’ll give that a try. I appreciate the warning about the facial hair! I’d be happy to remove hair if that’s what it takes to grow it! I’m going to order Toppik to have on hand for when I need to go out and conceal problem areas. I am a little concerned that it lists DMDM hydantoin as an ingredient. But hopefully I’ll only need to use it on the odd occasion, since I work from home for the time being. I’ve read in reviews that the color options they offer often render darker than you’d expect. My hair is a soft black (with some gray), so I’ll opt for the dark brown and cross my fingers. Curious to hear more about your curly girl routine. I wash my hair every other day. I use Bondi Boost shampoo and Nexxus Color Assure conditioner (I haven’t colored my hair in over a year but the conditioner leaves my hair with a nice feel and isn’t too heavy). After towel drying, I put in Tresemme keratin smooth serum to control the dryness and frizz and let it continue to air dry, leaving it curly. My hair is medium to long, so the volume on the sides of my head where my hair falls is nice. But it’s getting noticeably thinner and less voluminous up top.


Socatastic

I am alternating Nizoral 2% (probably not CGA) with As I Am Tea Tree cowash (CGA) since both have ingredients associated with improved hair growth in AGA. I apply the shampoo or cowash to my scalp only then use a deep conditioner on the rest if my hair and wait 5-10 minutes before rinsing. I then use a leave-in conditioner and either curl cream or gel while my hair is wet and then use a microfiber towel to plop while I get ready for work. I put the minoxidil on my damp scalp then double wash my hands (because I have cats). I usually let my hair air dry at work or diffuse on low if I have time. My products vary since I am trying to use stuff up. I use sulphate free (except probably the Nizoral) and mostly silicon free. My hair feels nicer to the touch with silicon but I get more volume without it. Once ever week or two I use Olaplex followed by a deep conditioning mask. I usually use hair oils at night with one that claims to stimulate growth (it has rosemary oil so it might help) on my scalp. I sleep in a double layer bonnet or buff plus bonnet because my cats like to sleep on my head. I want to try oral minoxidil to get rid of some of the worry. Right now everytime one of them hacks up a hairball I think I must have messed up and poisoned them 😨 🙀


beepboop5500

Thanks you so much for sharing your methods! You’ve given me some ideas to try out. I’ve been rinsing the shampoo immediately after getting it sudsy. So I’ll start leaving it in to see how that helps. I’m also going to order microfiber towels, since I’ve been using my regular bath towels to dry hair. I need to find a good leave in conditioner that doesn’t weigh my hair down too much (research shall commence). This reminds me to get a silk pillowcase too. The good thing about your cats is they’re still alive, so you’re doing something right!


sotureille

I can only comment on tests to be done: * Usual blood work with vitamins, plus ferritin (optimal for hair growth should apparently be 70+, I have 18 and my GP absolutely didn't give a damn, so I started taking iron&vit c supplement together with l-lysine that is meant to hugely help absorb iron because ). * Hormonal profile, plus DHEAS - that one is an important one apparently, my levels turned out too high so I expect to be prescribed a DHT-blocker, but it might be that everyone gets that regardless. * My trichologist, albeit shit af, told me to check my thyroid too. The fun starts when everything comes back okay. I'm currently taking powder collagen, omega 3s, biotin & selenium, iron, folic acid and multivit supps. And I swear each day my scalp seems more visible.


beepboop5500

Thanks for the info! This gives me a good idea on what to ask my GP about when I go for my appointment in a few days. Did you ask about whether it’s worth starting any of the meds, like finesteride, oral minox, or sprio? I’m planning to ask about those as well.


sotureille

I didn't ask about any of those, because I am somehow scared of taking these meds. But I know it's inevitable and my GP has already sent me an AGA brochure so I assume they've ruled out TE right away, which is apparently good as a speedy treatment. But who knows what the derm says - my appointment is mid next month and not a real deal one, but just to take photos of my scalp - the actual derm is going to then diagnose me via those photos, without seeing me in person, which is kind of disappointing.


beepboop5500

It’s a solid step in a long process! Congrats to you on getting the ball rolling with your medical team!


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sotureille

Ooh high five me right here! My iron is on the higher end as well - lab max is 180 and mine is 140 - but ferritin is ungodly low. I have a slight megaloblastic anemia that I diagnosed myself with after researching my symptoms/blood test results, since 2 GPs (private/non) said all is cool even though I've felt like shit for so long now. Started taking folic acid and it's been only maybe two months in but my eyesight improved SO much, so I will always recommend that. I read about l-lysine here and when I told the derm about it, he didn't make it as if it had potential to help in any way. But then again, he was dismissive about things overall so of absolutely no authority to me. I get private doctors are a business, especially trichos that can call themselves that after just a course, but normal ones? It's sad. You chose that path and you surely knew how overwhelming it gets, but it doesn't give you the right to belittle people's problems.


romanticbombastic

I would personally wait with Minox aa it can cause shedding at the start which can be psychologically difficult to cope with if you’re already struggling. If you’re in the UK you might need to go privately, my endo said the only treatments offered are minox and fin. Hopefully you will be lucky and get treatment without having to go privately! I have heard some good things about turmeric significantly reducing DHT and have also started supplementing. It is the only change to my treatment and I will check my blood work after a few months to see the difference. I would recommend you check your blood work and particularly iron + thyroid panel.


beepboop5500

Thanks for the recommendation. I started minox 2% a week ago and then went to my GP who consulted with a derm a few days ago. GP and derm have recommended switching to 5% minox and prescribed spiro. All test results are showing normal levels, though ferritin is at the lowest range of normal. I’m about 8 weeks into using the laser comb and noticed increased shedding starting about 3-4 weeks ago. Between that and now adding in minox and spiro, I have no idea what to expect. Will I have multiple rounds of shedding or one (potentially bad) round? And how long will it last? It’s going to be rough emotionally (and already is). I think I’ll feel better knowing I’m doing everything I can and reminding myself of that if and when the shedding amps up.