What is your experience adding retinol to minoxidil? 7/18/2025
Adding retinol to a hair loss routine, with a user suggesting starting with a lower dose. Another user mentions using tretinoin with minoxidil for potential benefits.
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6 / 6 resultscommunity Questions regarding starting Dermarolling, Rogaine foam, retinal/retinol
The conversation discusses using Rogaine (minoxidil foam) for hair loss, with questions about enhancing its effectiveness with tretinoin or retinol and incorporating dermarolling. The user has been using finasteride for 7 years and is considering starting minoxidil despite concerns about shedding.
community 64 days of Minoxidil (with retinal serum), 40 days of Finasteride and 4 weeks of microneedling every week (stopped now)
The user experienced rapid hair growth using Minoxidil, Finasteride, and microneedling, with some initial skin irritation from a retinal serum. They stopped microneedling due to limited results but may continue due to positive anecdotal evidence.
community *If* minox causes facial wrinkles, then I should mix my Min/Fin for 1 dose daily, not 2?
Minoxidil may cause facial aging, possibly due to alcohol and propylene glycol (PG) content. The user plans to reduce Minoxidil and Finasteride to one daily dose to minimize these effects.
community My personal experience/observations fighting AGA seriously for 5 years
Minoxidil with alcohol and propylene glycol was more effective than non-alcohol versions, and RU58841 worked best in a non-water-based solution. Oral finasteride showed better results than topical, despite side effects; microneedling and tretinoin worsened hair loss, and PRP was only helpful when younger.
community Who won’t respond to minoxidil? (Studies)
Minoxidil's effectiveness varies due to differences in sulfotransferase enzyme levels in the scalp, affecting people with conditions like ASD, liver disease, and androgenic alopecia. Treatments like topical tretinoin, microneedling, and using minoxidil sulfate instead of regular minoxidil can improve results for those with low enzyme levels.
community 2,5 months progress on topical minoxidil
A user shared 2.5 months of progress using topical minoxidil for hair loss. They have also been using finasteride for a year without regrowth.
Related Research
6 / 6 results
research Tretinoin enhances minoxidil response in androgenetic alopecia patients by upregulating follicular sulfotransferase enzymes
This study found that applying topical tretinoin can influence follicular sulfotransferase expression, enabling 43% of predicted nonresponders to minoxidil to respond positively in the context of androgenetic alopecia.
research The efficacy of tretinoin gel 0.1% followed by topical minoxidil-5% in individuals with androgenetic alopecia
In this case series, researchers observed that combining 0.1% tretinoin gel with 5% minoxidil over 90 days improved hair growth and patient satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients who did not previously respond to minoxidil alone, with significant increases in hair count, density, and quality.
research Efficacy of 5% Minoxidil versus Combined 5% Minoxidil and 0.01% Tretinoin for Male Pattern Hair Loss
This study concluded that a combined once-daily solution of 5% minoxidil and 0.01% tretinoin is as effective and safe as the conventional twice-daily 5% minoxidil application for treating androgenetic alopecia in men.
research Topical tretinoin for hair growth promotion
This study found that a combination of topical tretinoin and 0.5% minoxidil resulted in terminal hair regrowth in 66% of subjects with androgenetic alopecia over one year.
research Off-label uses of retinoids in dermatology
This review discusses the off-label uses of retinoids in dermatology, focusing on oral isotretinoin and acitretin, and reports no new clinical results.
research Management of Androgenetic Alopecia
This review discusses treatment options for androgenetic alopecia in men and women, highlighting minoxidil and finasteride, without presenting new clinical findings.