Beauty

[Hearts4Me]

HONNY:

No, my little short hairs are definitely NOT new hairs growing. It's just my hair is really short. I am going to try attempting to part it and put the solution right on the scalp, but I think it's still going to smear all over my hair. Experimenting each day...!

[HonnyBrown]

Hearts4, yes, it will smear on you hair even with the part.

Are you dealing with a bald spot, a wide part or thinning hair?

A bald spot and wide part are easy to deal with in terms of application.

Thinning hair is a different story because the Rogaine will cause shedding before the new hairs come in.

[TY]

Liquid minoxidil can be messy with the eyedropper for sure. I find that the 5% also can leave a greasy film on your hair. It's a lot cheaper to buy the generic ones than the name brand and it's way more expensive in Canada for the 2% than the U.S. In Canada 5% minoxidil is a prescription item that a pharmacy compounds and it's not an OTC drug like in the U.S.

Costco has the foam Minoxidil 5%, it's probably the cheapest place to buy the foam stuff in the U.S.

[mustbuyless]

A two-month supply of the 5% foam is available in Target for about $28.

I was reading up on it, and gathered two things I didn't know (neither is a biggie, but it's good to know imo):

-if you are using the foam, it's best to do it at least 2-4 hours before bed. It's applied on dry hair and doesn't wet it too much, but any dampness could help the minoxidil transfer to your pillow and sheets, and from there to the face. That kind of contact over time could produce new hair growth on the body/face. But it seems that minoxidil over time will transfer into the bloodstream anyway, and eventually might still cause hair growth on other parts of the body in some people. Still, no point hurrying it up for those who are prone.

-A more significant issue: Anyone on minoxidil & medications should check with their doctors to make sure there is no unwanted interaction. A website like drugs.com can also give you an idea. From a quick look at the website, it seems that not too many medications might be impacted by minoxidil, but there are a few. For example, some people on certain types of blood pressure medication might find they need to lower the dosage, because minoxidil will duplicate the effects. In that connection, it's interesting that the 5% minoxidil needs a prescription in Canada- I wonder if it's because of these kinds of issues.

I hadn't heard this second caution before. Has anyone experienced it (interaction with medication)

[TY]

On 12/22/2014 mustbuyless said:

A two-month supply of the 5% foam is available in Target for about $28.

I was reading up on it, and gathered two things I didn't know (neither is a biggie, but it's good to know imo):

-if you are using the foam, it's best to do it at least 2-4 hours before bed. It's applied on dry hair and doesn't wet it too much, but any dampness could help the minoxidil transfer to your pillow and sheets, and from there to the face. That kind of contact over time could produce new hair growth on the body/face. But it seems that minoxidil over time will transfer into the bloodstream anyway, and eventually might still cause hair growth on other parts of the body in some people. Still, no point hurrying it up for those who are prone.

-A more significant issue: Anyone on minoxidil & medications should check with their doctors to make sure there is no unwanted interaction. A website like drugs.com can also give you an idea. From a quick look at the website, it seems that not too many medications might be impacted by minoxidil, but there are a few. For example, some people on certain types of blood pressure medication might find they need to lower the dosage, because minoxidil will duplicate the effects. In that connection, it's interesting that the 5% minoxidil needs a prescription in Canada- I wonder if it's because of these kinds of issues.

I hadn't heard this second caution before. Has anyone experienced it (interaction with medication)

I don't know but given that a 1 month supply of 5% minoxidil compounded in a Canadian pharmacy can cost $50 CDN, it's highway robbery to pay those prices in Canada if you can cross border shop and buy a 3 month supply of the liquid in the U.S. at Target for a lot less money. All those generic brands of Minoxidil like Target's or Walgreen's are manufactured in Canada too.

[mustbuyless]

Wow, that is quite a difference, TY. I looked to be sure of the price, and it turns out a four-month supply works out even cheaper, and one can use coupons to boot.

http://www.target.com/p/rogaine-women-s-foam-5-60g-2-count/-/A-16500199

[HonnyBrown]

On 12/22/2014 iachick said:

Sorry I have been unable to get back online to respond until today. Thanks to everyone for their input and responses. I might try the WEN Tea Tree Oil first so thanks for that suggestion.

ia, I posted a lengthy, detailed reply and hit cancel.

In essence, I have been using Wen Tea Tree Oil 2-3 times a week overnight on my entire scalp and I see results, especially on my hairline.

[Alajane]

My hair has been steadily thinning for 20-30 years. I've tried every kind of scalp cover-up product I could find, along with trying Minoxidil many years ago (before they had the women's formula). The 5% formula really irritated my scalp and the itching and tiny bumps drove me to discontinue it.

Last January I gave in and ordered the HairMax laser comb from QVC, fully planning to return it at the end of the 16-week trial because I knew it wouldn't work! The one I ordered came with a 4-month supply of their brand of Minoxidil--and it did work!

After 4 months I could see a real difference and started getting comments from other people about that same time. I've since wondered if the Minoxidil alone might have done the trick but I'm not about to stop either--and the Wal-Mart brand of Minoxidil is less than $20 for a 3-month supply.

For the first time in many years, I don't have to put a scalp-covering product in my hair every morning--and my hairdresser told me today she could still see lots of tiny new hairs so hopefully the thickening is continuing.

Jane

[HonnyBrown]

alajane, that is awesome! Isn't it great to see your own hair growing in?

Rogaine/minoxidil takes 4 months to kick in, so that may be why they sent you a 4 month supply.

[mustbuyless]

That's so great, Jane. Congratulations! I bought the minoxidil foam but am getting cold feet, and I might try the QVC HairMax first. Either way, I will follow Honny's advice and give it at least 4 months.

I just wish QVC carried the latest model. The Professional 12 on amazon. Seems to get solid reviews (for a hairloss remedy). But I want the return option, so I'll probably go with QVC's

I was thinking that minoxidil would be my last resort if the Hair Max didn't work, but it seems the HairMax people want you to use them together.

Btw, does anyone know the Pura d'or hairloss prevention shampoo? There's so much snake oil out there, but I'm tempted by this. Amazing reviews (like the other weird supplement product I mentioned) but these don't seem fake. There are 2.4 thousand of them, most positive.

http://www.amazon.com/Pura-dor-Prevention-Premium-Organic/dp/B00Q99UQJG/ref=pd_sim_bt_3?ie=UTF8&refR...