Bleaching hair removes its protective top layer and exposes more hydrophilic groups, changing its chemical surface and affecting how it interacts with products.
Topical finasteride that doesn't penetrate the skin could potentially treat hair loss without side effects. Current challenges include finding a formulation that remains on the scalp without increasing blood levels.
Alcohol-free minoxidil options in Europe, particularly from a German pharmacy, are recommended for those with seborrheic dermatitis. Users suggest alternatives like Alopexy and Doppelherz foam, and emphasize avoiding propylene glycol and alcohol to reduce irritation.
Peptides like TB500, KPV, GHK-CU, and BPC-157 are overhyped for hair growth with limited proven effectiveness in humans. Combining peptides with delivery methods like iontophoresis and sonophoresis shows promise, but many claims remain unproven.
The conversation discusses the potential benefits of creating a hydrophobic version of finasteride to reduce systemic side effects while maintaining scalp health. It compares this idea to fluridil, which is designed to be hydrophobic and has less systemic absorption.
Dutasteride has a larger volume of distribution than finasteride due to its lipophilic nature, allowing it to concentrate in hydrophobic areas and making it difficult to excrete. A user experiencing hair loss has been using oral finasteride for 10 months with minimal regrowth and is considering switching to dutasteride or adding oral minoxidil.