Topical minoxidil responder tests + switching to oral 12/26/2025
The user has been using topical minoxidil with tretinoin for 9 months without much regrowth and suspects finasteride is responsible for any improvement. They are inquiring about tests to determine response to topical minoxidil and seeking advice on switching to oral minoxidil, including potential side effects and monitoring requirements.
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5 / 5 resultscommunity Derm suggesting oral fin at 17 (turning 18 soon) after long-term minoxidil — advice?
A 17-year-old is experiencing hair loss despite using 5% topical minoxidil, 0.05% tretinoin, and oral minoxidil, and is considering starting oral finasteride after a dermatologist suggested a hair growth spray with Capixyl, Redensyl, Anagain, and Saw Palmetto. Users advise caution with finasteride at a young age, suggesting starting with topical finasteride and consulting an endocrinologist.
community You may not have the enzyme for topical minoxidil to work - a rarely talked about impact
Some people may not respond to topical minoxidil due to low SULT1A1 enzyme activity, but oral minoxidil can be effective. Tretinoin may enhance minoxidil's effectiveness, and some users prefer oral minoxidil despite side effects.
community i got more results 1 month 5 mg oral minoxidil and 1 mg dutasteride then i did 6 months on finasteride and topical minoxidil
A user reported better hair regrowth with 5 mg oral minoxidil and 1 mg dutasteride than with finasteride and topical minoxidil, calling topical minoxidil a scam. Replies varied, with some defending topical minoxidil, questioning the user's application method, and suggesting that previous treatments might be contributing to the observed results.
community Oral vs topical Minoxidil question
Oral minoxidil may be easier to use than topical, but effectiveness varies by individual. Some prefer oral due to safety concerns for pets, while others find topical with tretinoin more targeted for scalp hair growth.
community No regrowth after oral min, topical fin, min, and tret: Aggressive diffuse/hairline recession in 2 years
A user experienced no hair regrowth after using oral minoxidil, topical finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin, and reported side effects from oral finasteride. They are considering switching to dutasteride or using hair fibers for better results.
Related Research
6 / 6 results
research Minoxidil: a comprehensive review
This study reported that while topical minoxidil exhibits hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, oral minoxidil 5 mg/day was more effective than topical forms after six months, with low doses also potentially effective for women and other hair loss types.
research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment
This study found that low-dose oral minoxidil 5 mg daily significantly increased hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks, with increased hair count and vertex area improvement, though most experienced hypertrichosis and some had pedal edema.
research A randomized, double-blind controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of minoxidil topical 2% nanosuspension with aqueous base in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia areata
This study evaluated a new aqueous-based nanosuspension of minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia and reported it was as effective as the commercial product but had better safety and tolerability, potentially improving patient compliance.
research Extracellular vesicles derived from MSCs activates dermal papilla cell in vitro and promotes hair follicle conversion from telogen to anagen in mice
This study found that treatment with mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles enhanced hair growth in mice and stimulated dermal papilla cell activity and growth factor production in vitro.
research Treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris: a systematic review
This study reported that while no effective treatment exists for frontal fibrosing alopecia, oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors showed the most promise, inducing a good clinical response in 45% of patients.