Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision Next revision Both sides next revision | ||
minoxidil-faq [2017/11/16 13:51] Cemmos |
minoxidil-faq [2019/08/08 11:13] sbeckwith668 |
||
---|---|---|---|
Line 63: | Line 63: | ||
The listed side effects of topical minoxidil can be [[https:// | The listed side effects of topical minoxidil can be [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Does minoxidil affect libido/sex drive?** No. | ||
**Summary: | **Summary: | ||
Line 130: | Line 132: | ||
===== How Long Should I Leave Minoxidil On? ===== | ===== How Long Should I Leave Minoxidil On? ===== | ||
- | Whether foam or liquid, it should stay on for 4 hours. <wrap hi>Tests have shown 50% is absorbed in the first hour, and 75% by hour four.</ | + | Whether foam or liquid, it should stay on for //at least// |
- | You should try to keep it on a //minimum// of an hour, or the application will be wasted. | + | Bear in mind that this study was conducted on the scalp, which is less absorbent than the face. However, it is the most accurate information we have, so it should be treated as the standard amount of time. |
**Study:** [[https:// | **Study:** [[https:// | ||
- | **Summary: | + | **Summary: |
===== How Long Should the Minoxidil Journey Be? ===== | ===== How Long Should the Minoxidil Journey Be? ===== | ||
Line 191: | Line 193: | ||
{{ youtube> | {{ youtube> | ||
- | ===== Which Brand of Minoxidil | + | ===== Which Brand of Minoxidil |
- | {{youtube> | + | {{youtube> |
[[: | [[: | ||
Line 266: | Line 268: | ||
A common side effect of minoxidil, especially the liquid minoxidil, is dry, flaky skin. If this happens to you, be sure to moisturize after you've rinsed or washed the minoxidil out, as stated in [[: | A common side effect of minoxidil, especially the liquid minoxidil, is dry, flaky skin. If this happens to you, be sure to moisturize after you've rinsed or washed the minoxidil out, as stated in [[: | ||
- | Once you wash off the minoxidil (foam or liquid) after 4 hours from applying it, many members apply a moisturizer to their skin to help create optimal conditions for new hair growth. | + | Once you wash off the minoxidil (foam or liquid) after //at least// |
==== How Often Should You Apply Moisturizers? | ==== How Often Should You Apply Moisturizers? | ||
Line 299: | Line 301: | ||
=== How often can I use the dermaroller? | === How often can I use the dermaroller? | ||
- | * 0.2 or 0.25 mm long needles can be used every second day on the same skin area.* | + | * 0.2 or 0.25 mm long needles can be used every second day on the same skin area.*(not sufficient for beard growth) |
* <wrap hi>0.5 mm long needles can be used once or twice per week on the same skin area</ | * <wrap hi>0.5 mm long needles can be used once or twice per week on the same skin area</ | ||
* 1 mm can be used every two - four weeks on the same skin area. | * 1 mm can be used every two - four weeks on the same skin area. | ||
Line 308: | Line 310: | ||
=== Do I have to shave or trim before using the dermaroller? | === Do I have to shave or trim before using the dermaroller? | ||
Shaving or trimming low is recommended because the needles need to be able to puncture the skin for dermarolling to work. If you have long growth and roll over it, you will only be damaging and pulling hair. Trimming is safer and carries less risk of causing irritation to the skin and hair follicles as opposed to shaving. | Shaving or trimming low is recommended because the needles need to be able to puncture the skin for dermarolling to work. If you have long growth and roll over it, you will only be damaging and pulling hair. Trimming is safer and carries less risk of causing irritation to the skin and hair follicles as opposed to shaving. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === What to Do Before/ | ||
+ | Before: | ||
+ | Before using a dermaroller, | ||
+ | |||
+ | After: | ||
+ | Because dermarolling creates hundreds of tiny micro cuts (to stimulate collagen production), | ||
=== How do I disinfect/ | === How do I disinfect/ | ||
- | Run it under hot water to get any dead skin/other materials off, then leave in an alcohol bath for about a minute. Let it completely dry before using. You can use any antiseptic; isopropyl alcohol is the cheapest and will get the job done. | + | Run it under hot water to get any dead skin/other materials off, then leave in an alcohol bath for about 5 minutes. Let it completely dry before using. You can use any antiseptic; isopropyl alcohol is the cheapest and will get the job done. |
=== Derma rolling to increase minoxidil absorption? === | === Derma rolling to increase minoxidil absorption? === | ||
Line 352: | Line 361: | ||
{{ youtube> | {{ youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT) ==== | ||
+ | === What is LCLT and what does it do? === | ||
+ | L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is commonly found in the human body as it is able to synthesize it. The body utilizes L-Carnitine to break up long fatty acids for example. Uses of L-Carnitine as a supplement are highly debated, although some claim it to be a performance enhancer or supportive when trying to lose weight. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the human body, there are two different versions of L-Carnitine to be found: L-Carnitine L-Tartrate and Acetyl-L-Carnitine. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <wrap hi>It is important to choose L-Carnitine (L-)Tartrate and NOT Acetyl-L-Carnitine, | ||
+ | |||
+ | === How can it help with your beard? === | ||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | So far, anecdotal evidence from TMBS suggests that similar effects can be achieved when applied to the face. It is notable that some members noticed that the usage of LCLT not just promoted new vellus hair growth but also sped up the maturation process of the beard to some extent. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Which LCLT products can I use? === | ||
+ | It is important to choose a product that contains 100% pure L-Carnitine L-Tartrate. This is usually the case with LCLT powder. Capsules (**and some powder brands!**) mostly contain extra ingredients like silicon dioxide or magnesium salts which are supposed to prevent the binding of LCLT to other substances. Since this is exactly what we're trying to achieve, it's best to avoid products that contain other ingredients than LCLT itself, even though they //might// work just as fine it'd be best to stay safe and choose pure LCLT. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Additives in LCLT products == | ||
+ | There are three main additives that are usually found on most LCLT capsules' | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Magnesium stearate | ||
+ | - Silicon dioxide | ||
+ | - Titanium dioxide | ||
+ | |||
+ | The last one, titanium dioxide, is generally unproblematic. It is used as a coloring additive to make the capsule itself look " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The other two, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide, are so-called release agents. They are added to prevent the powder from bonding to other surfaces or substances like water. They will prevent the powder from drawing humidity or clotting to a certain degree. They both may significantly reduce the LCLT's ability to actually bind to other substances (after all, that's what they' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Using products that contain either of those might work, but it's heavily discouraged and we've had cases where Minox suddenly turned into a jelly-like consistency because LCLT with magnesium stearate was used. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Summary**: | ||
+ | |||
+ | === How do I use LCLT for beard growth? === | ||
+ | So far, there are two different application forms that are known to the group. One is to mix it with Minoxidil Liquid, the other is to mix it with Nivea Soft cream. With both, you should take pure LCLT powder and take about 2% of your carrier substance' | ||
+ | |||
+ | <wrap hi>After mixing LCLT into Minox or Nivea, you can use either as you would normally. Minox twice a day, Nivea as needed, although it is recommended to use Nivea with LCLT at least once a day if you're not using Minox + LCLT.</ | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Using LCLT with Minoxidil liquid == | ||
+ | {{youtube> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Just pour the powder into the liquid bottle and give it a good shake until the powder has completely solved in the liquid and you're good to go. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Mixing Minoxidil with LCLT is only possible with the liquid form as you can't access the contents of foam containers without breaking them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Using LCLT with Nivea Soft == | ||
+ | Using LCLT with Nivea Soft is a little more complicated but has some presumable benefits to it. For one, you can apply Nivea after Derma Rolling, and for all we know, it's very well probable that LCLT, contrary to Minoxidil, benefits from an increased absorption rate due to derma rolling. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The mixing process itself isn't as straightforward as it is with Minoxidil: When you put the LCLT powder into the Nivea Cream, it will mostly liquify and have more of a lotion like consistency. To fix this, use an electric hand mixer to mix the whole solution. During this process, it will gain some volume so that part of it won't fit into the original container anymore but it will gain a foam-like consistency which is much more convenient to apply. | ||
Line 403: | Line 460: | ||
=== France === | === France === | ||
- | * Foligan | + | * Foligain |
=== Germany === | === Germany === |