Once-Daily Treatment with Minoxidil and Tretinoin Is as Effective as Twice-Daily Minoxidil Alone for Androgenetic Alopecia

Minoxidil is often applied once or twice daily for hair growth, but many find it inconvenient and switch to once daily or oral minoxidil for ease. Some users combine it with finasteride for better results, despite potential side effects.

Microneedling with minoxidil significantly boosts hair growth, even for non-responders to minoxidil alone. The routine includes a 1.5mm dermaroller weekly and minoxidil twice daily, with some users adding finasteride and tretinoin.

A user shared their 4.5-month hair transformation using a homemade topical solution with 5% minoxidil and crushed finasteride pills, applied twice daily with weekly microneedling. They plan to switch to once-daily application with tretinoin gel to enhance absorption.

Significant hair regrowth was achieved using 1mg finasteride daily, 5% minoxidil nightly, and weekly 1.5mm microneedling, with no side effects. Topical minoxidil and microneedling are recommended for similar results.

Daily microneedling at 0.25mm before applying minoxidil is debated, with some suggesting weekly microneedling is safer and more effective. Concerns include potential skin damage and systemic absorption, while alternatives like tretinoin are considered safer for enhancing minoxidil absorption.

A user shared progress pictures showing significant hair regrowth after using 1mg finasteride daily and Kirkland 5% minoxidil twice a day since 05/02/2024, along with occasional microneedling. The user reported initial headaches but no longer experiences them.