minoxidil-faq

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minoxidil-faq [2018/04/11 09:24]
 minoxidil-faq [2019/08/08 11:13]
sbeckwith668
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 ===== 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.</wrap>+Whether foam or liquid, it should stay on for //at least// 4 hours. <wrap hi>Tests have shown 50% is absorbed in the first hour, and 75% by hour four.</wrap>
  
-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.+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://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2395092]] **Study:** [[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2395092]]
  
-**Summary:** <wrap hi>Four hours is recommended.</wrap> Then rinse or wash if you'd like and apply a moisturizer if need be. //You can leave it on for longer than four hours//.+**Summary:** <wrap hi>Four hours is the recommended //MINIMUM//.</wrap> Ideally, you should try to leave it on for 8-12 hours. But if you must rinse it off to moisturize then try to keep it on for at least 4 hours.
  
 ===== How Long Should the Minoxidil Journey Be? ===== ===== How Long Should the Minoxidil Journey Be? =====
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 {{ youtube>l3f3G-1ckGs?small}} {{ youtube>l3f3G-1ckGs?small}}
  
-===== Which Brand of Minoxidil Should I Use? ===== +===== Which Brand of Minoxidil is Best? ===== 
-{{youtube>WWLlM0XXrR0?small }} Many use Kirkland Signature as it is the cheapest, but any brand containing 5% minoxidil is fine. More than 5% may be a health issue, and less seems to yield less results. There is some efficacy to 10% being useful for those that are not responding well to minoxidil, but it needs to be a mixture without [[:dht#known-dht-blockers|DHT blockers]].+{{youtube>WWLlM0XXrR0?small }} There is no "best" brand. Most brands are exactly the same product, just packaged and sold by different companies. They almost all contain the exact same ingredients. As long as it contains 5% Minoxidil and does not contain any DHT inhibitors it's fine. More than 5% may be a health issue, and less seems to yield less results. There is some efficacy to 10% being useful for those that are not responding well to minoxidil, but it needs to be a mixture without [[:dht#known-dht-blockers|DHT blockers]].
  
 [[:minoxidil-faq#brands-of-minoxidil-from-around-the-world|Click here to jump down to a full list of minoxidil brands.]] [[:minoxidil-faq#brands-of-minoxidil-from-around-the-world|Click here to jump down to a full list of minoxidil brands.]]
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 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 [[:minoxidil-faq#my-face-is-itchingdrying-out-what-can-i-do|a section above]]. 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 [[:minoxidil-faq#my-face-is-itchingdrying-out-what-can-i-do|a section above]].
  
-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// 4 hours from applying it, many members apply a moisturizer to their skin to help create optimal conditions for new hair growth.
  
 ==== How Often Should You Apply Moisturizers? ==== ==== How Often Should You Apply Moisturizers? ====
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 === 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>. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀    * <wrap hi>0.5 mm long needles can be used once or twice per week on the same skin area</wrap>. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 
   * 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.
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 === 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/After Using the dermaroller? ===
 +Before:
 +Before using a dermaroller, you must cleanse your face with soap and water (preferably something with antibacterial qualities). This is very important since there is loads of bacteria that are present on your face that could cause a multitude of infections if it gets into your skin.
 + 
 +After:
 +Because dermarolling creates hundreds of tiny micro cuts (to stimulate collagen production), it means that you're exposing your skin to outside germs and bacteria. Think of your face as one giant cut that needs to be protected against infection. That's why it's recommended to use an antibacterial ointment after you dermaroll to prevent this from happening.
  
 === How do I disinfect/clean my dermaroller? === === How do I disinfect/clean my dermaroller? ===
-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? ===
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 === Which LCLT products can I use? === === 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 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.+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' ingredient list: 
 + 
 +  - 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 "whiter" and is ONLY used for the capsule itself, not for the powder inside of it. Although titanium dioxide is pretty unhealthy, you're not supposed to throw the capsule itself into the Minox bottle anyways. Just its contents. 
 + 
 +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're made for). This INCLUDES Minoxidil solution AND Nivea Soft, so it would be best to avoid LCLT products that contain either magnesium stearate or silicon dioxide.  
 + 
 +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**: Titanium dioxide is okay, <wrap hi>magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide are best to avoid</wrap>.
  
 === How do I use LCLT for beard growth? === === How do I use LCLT for beard growth? ===
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 === France === === France ===
-  * Foligan P5 5% - €28.3 - Biovea+  * Foligain P5 5% - €28.3 - Biovea
  
 === Germany === === Germany ===
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