Does tretinoin cream affect minoxidil absorption if applied first?

Minoxidil 9/30/2025

Oral minoxidil may improve hair growth, reduce arterial stiffness, and prevent other health issues. Some users believe it is an effective treatment despite concerns about its effects on skin and blood.

A user shared a hair growth stack using minoxidil sulfate, valproic acid, bimatoprost, blue copper peptide, and other ingredients, emphasizing a gel-based formula for better skin tolerance. Another user suggested adding a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride for more effective long-term results.

A 36-year-old considering a fourth hair transplant is advised to either shave his head or use a hair system due to poor results from previous transplants and late medication use. He plans to consult top surgeons and adjust his current treatments, including finasteride and minoxidil.

Minoxidil is more effective when combined with retinoic acid, such as tretinoin or tazarotene, enhancing hair growth. Some users experience significant regrowth, while others see minimal effects or side effects.

The conversation discusses using retinol to enhance minoxidil's effectiveness for hair loss, with a user considering The Ordinary's 0.5% retinol and seeking advice on azelaic acid concentration. Other users suggest using tretinoin instead and consider pre-formulated products combining minoxidil, tretinoin, and azelaic acid, but the original poster has not seen improvement from dermarolling.

The conversation discusses a new 0.3% tretinoin topical launched by MinoxidilMax for mixing with other solutions, with some users expressing concern about potential skin irritation compared to lower concentrations. MinoxidilMax has also released other products like topical Dutasteride and RU58841.