Topical Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Universalis

Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

The conversation is about a user trying a new hair loss treatment, Ruxolitinib, alongside their existing regimen of finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole shampoo, and microneedling. They plan to apply Ruxolitinib to their temples daily for 1-2 months.

A new hair loss protocol using FDA-approved topical treatments targets eight pathways, potentially improving results by 60-75% compared to the standard 40-50% from oral minoxidil and finasteride. The protocol includes minoxidil, finasteride, tacrolimus, cetirizine, bimatoprost, lithium gluconate, losartan, melatonin, NAC, caffeine, and tretinoin, with a monthly cost of $35-50 in Mexico and $80-150 in the US.

Users discuss making topical finasteride solutions by dissolving crushed tablets in ethanol and propylene glycol, with concerns about residue affecting effectiveness. They also mention using minoxidil and oral finasteride, noting some hair regrowth and no side effects from topical use.

Topical finasteride may have higher systemic absorption and lower efficacy when using a Propylene Glycol/Ethanol formulation compared to the hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH) formulation. The safety profile of topical finasteride relies heavily on the HPCH formulation, and using standard solutions might lead to different pharmacokinetics.

Topical finasteride in the UK is sought after due to concerns about the strength and cost of Hims products. There is also interest in whether crushing finasteride pills into minoxidil is effective.