Male Hair Loss Treatment and Daily Routine to Stimulate Hair Growth
NOTE*: I recently updated this male hair loss treatment routine to reflect what I have found works best for me after doing this every day for over 6 years. If you are a returning visitor, you may notice I’ve changed it up a little. I had been tweaking this for a few years, until I came up with the most time-effective daily routine that produces the best results.
I also added finasteride to my daily routine.Following are step-by-step instructions of my male hair loss treatment explaining how to use simple, affordable products to reverse hair loss through a daily routine to block DHT and stimulate hair growth. This is based on both research AND my personal experience.
If you want results, you have to be consistent and patient. It really works.
MORNING: Use Hair Loss Shampoo and Apply 1st Minoxidil application
Shampoo – Nizoral OR Alpecin (Alternate throughout week)
Each morning when I shower, I use one of two shampoos that fight hair loss – Nizoral shampoo 2-3 times per week and Alpecin shampoo all other days. With each of these shampoos, I apply them first thing, and then let the shampoo sit while I shower, rinsing it out right before I finish up. This gives it time to work as it should.
You can read more about Nizoral Shampoo and Alpecin shampoo in my article reviews on this site.
Find Alpecin Shampoo on Amazon
Both Nizoral and Alpecin shampoos can be purchased online, through a reputable site such as Amazon.
Lipogaine (2 minutes to apply)
After showering, I apply Lipogaine, which provides the first minoxidil application of my male hair loss treatment and includes proprietary herbal blend DHT blockers and Vitamins in one formula to effectively reverse hair loss. I use the dropper that’s included to apply it all over the hair loss area and then rub in with my finger tips.
Be sure to wash your hands and forehead afterwards if you don’t want unwanted hair growing elsewhere! This process only takes a few minutes.
I used to apply Lipogaine at night, but after trying different times, I now stick with mornings, because Lipogaine dries quicker than Kirkland minoxidil, and I use less of it. Adding a little gel or hair product of your choice afterwards can fix the little “sticky” feel very easily! You may also want to consider a hair moisturizing/conditioning spray, to avoid dry hair.
I purchase Lipogaine from the source at Lipogaine.com. For more information, see my Lipogaine Review.
NIGHT BEFORE BED: 2nd Minoxidil Application, Finasteride, & Vitamins
Kirkland Minoxidil (2 minutes to apply)
I apply kirkland minoxidil before I got to bed. I used to apply Kirkland minoxidil in the morning, but due to its low cost, I apply enough to cover the entire top of my scalp, and it isn’t practical to go throughout the rest of the day when using this much. This way, I just wash it out in the morning.
It is recommended to apply minoxidil twice a day as an effective hair loss treatment, at least 8 hours apart, and this is the second application. I use the dropper that comes with the product to apply it all over the top of my scalp and then rub in with my finger tips.
As I mentioned with the morning application of this male hair loss treatment, be sure to wash your hands and forehead afterwards because even though you want to reverse hair loss – you don’t want to stimulate hair growth anywhere else besides on your head!
I purchase the Kirkland 6 pack from Amazon and get the 6 bottles for such a great price, I save a pile of money on my male hair loss treatment by using this as one of my daily applications of minoxidil.
Finasteride (Proscar)
To block DHT at the source, I take 1.25mg of finasteride once every night. To take advantage of BIG savings in cost, I cut a 5mg tablet of Proscar into 4 pieces using a [easyazon_link keywords=”pill cutter” locale=”US” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]pill cutter[/easyazon_link].
Years ago, I used to take Propecia, and tried generic finasteride from online pharmacies. After being fed up with online pharmacies overseas, I decided to try just minoxidil, topical DHT blockers and Saw Palmetto. After 3 years I was holding on to my hair, but I knew I could do better. I spoke with my doctor, and he prescribed Proscar, suggesting I cut it into 4 pieces to make 4 daily doses.
IMPORTANT: 5mg of finasteride daily is too much as a hair loss treatment. Taking that much could increase your chances of experiencing side effects. 1.25mg is more than enough for hair loss. I would even cut the Proscar into 5 pieces if it was easy, but trust me, you end up with a pile of pill dust.
Finasteride, minoxidil and topical DHT blockers (see above) make a powerful combination!! I swear, after just 4-6 months I noticed a big difference both in the front and top areas. I assume I had a head start, since I was already using all the other treatments mentioned in this routine.
NOTE*: When I stopped using Propecia years ago, I experienced an alarming amount of hair loss in a very short time. As with minoxidil, finasteride only works while you take it. Once you stop any hair loss that was prevented will happen very quickly, so keep that in mind!
SUPPLEMENTS for Daily Male Hair Loss Treatment (As Recommended)
To complete my male hair loss treatment, each night I take a [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”Multivitamin” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]Multivitamin[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”MSM” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]MSM[/easyazon_link] as recommended on the label to provide the raw materials hair follicles need to be able to do their job and stimulate hair growth to reverse hair loss. I also take [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”saw palmetto” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]saw palmetto[/easyazon_link] as recommended as an extra DHT blocker. You may want to experiment with different brands as you regrow your hair.
I used to take [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”biotin” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]biotin[/easyazon_link], but the information I have gathered from research indicates it would only be beneficial to take a biotin supplement if you had some sort of deficiency.
These supplements can be purchased from [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”hair loss supplements” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]Amazon[/easyazon_link] by clicking their names above and browsing Amazon for the brand you feel is the best fit for you. You may also find these supplements at your local drug store.
TIP: Outside US? If Amazon.com doesn’t ship a certain product to all destinations, simply click on “More Buying Choices”, then under the “Seller Information” column choose a seller that ships “International and domestic” to have it shipped to your location outside the US.
You can also try a search in the Amazon online store for your country, or nearest country for faster shipping, since most Amazon regional stores carry the products above to reverse hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
For example, for Canada, click here: Amazon Canada, and for the UK click here: Amazon UK.
Final Thoughts
Does the type of shampoo make a difference?
Yes, it most certainly does. Regular shampoos can coat the scalp and block much of the absorption of the topical treatments mentioned here. To learn more about this, and about why I use [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”Alpecin” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”yes” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]Alpecin shampoo[/easyazon_link], please read my Alpecin review.
Please keep the following in mind as you use this hair loss treatment:
- If you want to reverse hair loss and stimulate hair growth, you have to follow the daily male hair loss treatment above consistently and be patient. As with many things, each person may experience different levels of success.
- Finasteride comes in several forms – Propecia (brand name for hair loss), generic, and Proscar (5mg version for prostate issues). You should definitely consult with your doctor, get a prescription, and purchase through a legitimate online or local pharmacy. I use Proscar, and cut it 4 ways with a [easyazon_link keywords=”pill cutter” locale=”US” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]pill cutter[/easyazon_link].
- As you begin to reverse hair loss there may be minoxidil and/or finasteride shedding stages before the hair fills in as explained in “My Hair Loss and Regrowth“
- Both [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”Alpecin” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”yes” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]Alpecin shampoo[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link keywords=”Nizoral shampoo” locale=”US” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]Nizoral shampoo[/easyazon_link] are quite affordable. Since we all need to shampoo anyway, using these as part of the daily treatment doesn’t take any time at all from your day, or add any extra step to fight hair loss. You may read more on this in my Alpecin Review and my Nizoral Review.
- I am convinced that combining the most proven treatments in a regular routine is the best way to fight hair loss at this time (outside of course of transplantation). I had success with the treatments listed above, but you may have success experimenting with other possibilities such as low level laser devices, a PRP hair treatment, scalp massages, etc. Each solution fights hair loss through a different mechanism of action, so naturally combining treatments is the best approach to date.
- A hair moisturizing/conditioning spray can help to prevent your hair from drying out and can also maintain a healthy looking shine. These types of sprays/mists can provide hydration throughout the day to strengthen dry, damaged hair.
- The sooner you start this male hair loss treatment after you notice hair loss, the faster you will stimulate hair growth, reverse hair loss and of course the better your chances of results.
- If you’d like to hide your hair loss while waiting to stimulate hair growth and reverse hair loss, Toppik and [easyazon_link cloaking=”default” keywords=”DermMatch” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”hotogrhaba-20″]DermMatch[/easyazon_link] work great. I found these two products excellent before I used this male hair loss treatment routine. It is worth noting however, that these products looked most natural when I kept my hair fairly short.
- Depending on where you live you may have to set up an Amazon account online to access and purchase these products, but you only have to set it up once with the first order. You can use your account to re-order a few weeks before you run out to remain consistent with your male hair loss treatment .
Once you stimulate hair growth and reverse hair loss with this this simple and affordable treatment, you’ll wish you’d started this ages ago!
Hey, this is actually very interesting. I have been doing pretty much just this for over a year and have a similar story. I’m really glad someone has posted this info on the net because I have been meaning to for a long time. This is so easy and cheap and way too many people are looking for something or spending a fortune on hair transplants without trying this first. It worked amazing for me. Kudos for getting this out there!
Jason
Thanks Jason! I understand believe me, I’ve saved so much money using this compared to options I’ve tried in the past – and they didn’t even work nearly as well. I’m glad you’ve experienced the same results and were able to regrow your hair from this. Please feel free to leave any additional insight!
Hi Author my name is Martin, I cant see how to make my own comment on here so thought I would add mine to one of your replys. I am 53 now an still have a good head of hair apart from a thinning area on top of my head around my crown, I have just finished a 12 months course from the Belgravia centre of 5% Minoxidil an Finasteride tablets with a slight improvement but very expensive regarding the cost. I started doing my own research an came across your post which I was very impressed with as very helpful an honest with your own reviews an opinions on things you have tried over the last few years. So I emailed the Belgravia centre that I was doing my treatment on my own now as they were hassling me to come in for a review an access the way forward regarding my treatment. I decide to follow your Daily Routine an buy the products you use an got them all apart from one. As I live in the UK I cant buy Profolla Anastim Ha 8% Trichogen from Amazon as doesn’t deliver to UK addresses. I searched Ebay an found a product that had all the same ingredients an same Spearmint scented spray under a different name. Its called FOLIGAIN D8 Hair Growth Stimulator with 8% Trichogen 8oz (236ml) for £30. I thought I would tell you this to help any UK readers that came across the same problem. So all in all as you have stated I have payed a fraction of the cost compared to the last year with Belgravia Centre, so thankyou for your helpful information an I hope I have some positive results like yourself in time by sticking to your routine.
Hi Martin,
Thanks so much for sharing this, and all the best with this approach. I will mention the FOLIGAIN D8 Hair Growth Stimulator as an alternative. It’s always good to have options for sure. The trichogen is a great supplement to the other products and together they provide maximum benefits at minimum cost. If some breakthrough with many of the new techniques being researched sticks out, it will be nice to maintain what we can in the meantime!
All the best and please don’t hesitate to post your progress on here!
JB – HFK
What brand of multi vitamin and saw palmetto are you taking?
To be honest I usually stick with the multivitamin for men options that have ingredients that benefit men more than women. Saw Palmetto, I usually go for one that only requires me to take it once daily. Timed release if I can find it – that makes it easier to be consistent.
Thanks for this information. Every site I have checked for a straight forward answer has been leading me around hoops and banners. Thank you for real information compiled and easy to read. I will definitely try this routine.
This is great information. I will be trying this. Thanks!
I can honestly say, I have been following a similar routine for treating my hair loss as you describe here and it really does work. Having this confidence back is something that’s difficult to appreciate for people who naturally have all their hair. I think it’s important to mention also, that this works great to regrow your hair but as soon as you stop this treatment you lose the hair again. Great article!
Andre
Just wanted to say weigh in here and let you know that I have been doing this for 2 months and my hair loss is definitely less noticeable. The front even seems a little darker in color and little hairs are growing back all over!
~Loving this!
I have been using propcia tablets for 4 years and combining with Kirkland minox for about 1 year with relative success. However not much success in growing temple area and front scalp back I do want to come off the propecia though as although I have no visible side effects its expensive and possibly damaging in the very long term.
Would you be certain to say using the lipogaine and the vitamins are a worthy substitute for propecia?
I can say that lipogaine, along with Kirkland minoxidil (to complete recommended daily dose of twice a day) and trichogen have been a worthy substitute for propecia in my case yes. If one can afford propecia and has no side effects, then obviously the only reason to stop would be prevention of potential side effects.
Hi, my hair loss is somewhere around a 6 on the Norwood scale and I have been using Rogaine foam for a few months but not consistently. I was just wondering why you use two different kinds of minoxidil treatment, one in the morning and one at night. Would one be able to use Rogaine foam morning and night in place of the other products and expect the same results?
Thanks.
I use minoxidil in the morning and at night because minoxidil requires 2 daily applications to be most effective. The reason I use two different types of minoxidil is that lipogaine contains far more than just minoxidil, as it provides a solution of dht blockers and hair nutrients as well. I combine lipogaine with the cheaper generic minoxidil to save money. I can’t speak for the rogaine foam because it contains only the minoxidil and none of the other beneficial ingredients of lipogaine. Please see my reviews of lipogaine and Kirkland minoxidil for more details. Thanks!
Hi, I just had a question. I’m not even technically on the Norwood scale yet but I can see my corners thinking ever slightly. I’m 20 years and I have been the dermotologist. She said I’d be 30 before I’d really start to notice the hair loss. But I hate knowing that it’s going to happen. She wants to put me on propecia whenever it starts to get noticeable but honestly I’m worried about the side effects. I was just wondering if this 3 step treatment is going to prevent my corners/hairline from receading? Thank you!
Hi Rob, thanks for visiting the site and here’s my 2 cents worth on your question!
At 20, and with only slight thinning at best, I personally feel it would be best to try the minoxidil/shampoos, etc before taking propecia or any generic finasteride. The side effects are not just rumors, but they only affect a very small percentage of men. Through much research, I can tell you the 3 most popular possible sides: belly weight gain, lower sex drive and a feeling of the “blahs”, or just plain lack of energy. Yes, I feel very strongly that using minoxidil and trichogen would easily keep the hair you have – especially since you would be catching it at such an early stage!
Also, please keep in mind that new studies and research suggest that there may be a very effective treatment available within the next 5 years that we will be able to purchase in shampoos, conditioners, etc. Minoxidil and trichogen work well, but this new treatment may be even cheaper and only needed once a day.
Others may feel now is a great time to start finasteride, because you’ll catch the hair loss early, but ultimately in the end, it is your decision.
I hope my input helps!
Good day! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great
info you have right here on this post. I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.
Thanks!
Hi, do you have to wash your hair every day before starting each morning treatment? Secondly, would all these products be available for shipping to Australia?
Hi Lee. You don’t necessarily need to wash it every day, I think that will depend on how your hair feels after a day of using the products. I personally wash it most every day. For shampoo, I would recommend Alpecin and you can see my review of it here.
If in Australia, the Hair Energizer site (for Anastim Ha) should deliver no problem, but for Amazon, I would strongly suggest the UK Amazon for faster delivery to Australia. See Lipogaine on Amazon for instance.
Thanks for the reply. Can I use Regaine in substitution to any one of those products? The reason I ask is because I can get it at an affordable price near me.
You’re very welcome. To answer your question, yes, Rogaine is just a minoxidil solution, and is the equivalent of generic minoxidil. You could replace Kirkland Minoxidil with Rogaine but it couldn’t replace Lipogaine, since Lipogaine contains other beneficial ingredients such as nutrients and DHT blockers. Just be aware that Rogaine is typically 3-4 times more expensive than Kirkland Minoxidil!
[…] Daily Treatment […]
This may not be the place to post this but I was just wondering if any one on here has looked into the nail rubbing technique to regrow hair back. I don’t know if it works. i just started doing it today. So far however, I have not found a site that says it doesn’t work. Its completely free so if it works that’d be amazing. Howtoregrow hair, I was just wondering if you have heard of this technique or tried it?
I have not tried the nail rubbing technique, and to be honest I am not familiar with it at all. However, I will research it and if it seems viable, I will provide information on it on this site.
This sounds really good. What do you think about the use of a Boar brush? Brushing with it daily with the apparent effect of increasing blood flow? I have thought about succumbing to the use of Minoxidil…however I read some website stories where people said it made the hair loss worse and permanently worse off. Do you have any thoughts about it? Could it make a bad situation worse? Since I am thinking about going down that route. Appreciate your reply.
Hi Rani, thanks for visiting How to grow Hair back. I have never used the boar brush, but anything that stimulates circulation in the scalp should be if some benefit, even if minimal. Alone though, I would not expect great results from this method, based the information I have gathered to date.
That’s pretty interesting! I think this is a complete solution to male hair loss condition and the routine seems to be effective. I have wasted exorbitant sum of money to retain those tresses but of no use. Hope this routine helps in getting them back. Thanks a ton for sharing.
You are so very welcome! I have also tried many things and wasted too much money. This approach is easy to take and doesn’t cost a lot. As mentioned on here, I want to have hair to work with when more is learned about the addressing the cause of hair loss (hopefully not too far away) 🙂
Thank you very much for the excellent info that you share. I used Lipogaine inconsistently in the past and it seemed like it worked well. After I stopped using it, it appears that my thinning hair has slowly returned and now I know that it’s expected. I’m going to get serious again and start using Lipogaine twice a day and add the AnaStim Ha as you suggest.
I previously purchased Lipogaine Big 3 shampoo and have most of it left.
Do you believe the Lipogaine shampoo is as good as the Alpecin?
I’ve read that Lipogaine was forced by the FDA to change their formulation a few years back and that it’s less effective then it once was. I believe they had to remove azelaic acid. What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks
First off, you’re welcome! Glad to offer any input. Lipogaine shampoo and Alpecin are too different to compare in opinion. Alpecin uses caffeine, so it serves a different and unique purpose – particularly if you use lipogaine solution anyway.
I would prefer they kept the azelaic acid, but Lipogaine still combines the hair growth stimulator, herbal blend DHT blockers and Vitamins so I feel it is still a great product.
Really fascinating stuff you’ve discovered! I’m 23 and already enduring the start of male pattern baldness, so naturally, I’ve dived into the internet and to read up on everything I can. Have you ever come across Jamaican Black Castor Oil? I haven’t really seen it associated with hair loss for men, but having spoken to a female friend who suffers from hair thinning, she seems to swear by it.
Thanks again for all the info!
I have never tried Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and from everything I’ve read, it seems castor oil was once thought to be effective in slowing hair loss, but later articles indicate this may not be the case. If you really want to know, you may have to give it a shot! Personally, I remember I was not sold on it from the reviews I read.
Could you show us a picture of your hair now?
Sure! I’ll try and remember to take a few over the holidays and post.
Thanks so much for this info. I’ve been following this routine somewhat inconsistently for about 6 months. When I say inconsistently, I mean I’ve been doing at least one treatment every day but most days not getting all 3 in. I’ve actually noticed what I think is the products cannibalizing my hair line even farther, with minimal new growth. I’ve read that this may happen at first. About when can I expect to have regrowth and no more cannibalization of existing hair? Thanks.
Hi Ben,
When you say cannibalization, are you referring to shedding? Because that’s the only additional loss of hair that I have ever experienced, or that I have ever heard of others experiencing. Cannibalization would almost mean that your hair was consuming itself, which I am sure is not the case! (We hope not!).
Shedding is a normal stage of using minoxidil to maintain/regrow hair, but I find it comes in stages, and certainly not as noticeable now days as it was in the first 4 months. From my own experience and along with everything I have read about the experience of others, it seems minoxidil can take anywhere from 6 months to almost a year to provide results – some people experience regrowth, some people find it keeps the hair they have and stops the hair loss, and others (fewer) have indicated that they’ve gained no benefit at all. I personally feel it is the combination of the minoxidil, trichogen, and caffeine shampoo that have allowed me to get results. I also believe that the Saw Palmetto contributed to blocking the DHT.
I’m sorry you have been 6 months without any noticeable gain, but why not try doing the treatments every day to at least see if it makes a difference. Keep in mind also, that if your hair loss was accelerating, that the additional loss of hair was going to occur, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a few more months and using all three of the treatments as described on this site! All the best!!
Hi.
I’ve recently purchased a ‘15% minoxidil, 5% Azelaic Acid, 0.025% Retinol, 0.001% Caffeine’ Liquid Solution and an ‘8% Trichogen’ Liquid Solution.
Would I be able to simply mix the 2 solutions together at 50:50 a ratio and apply the final mixed solution twice daily?
I want to apply each solution twice daily but I don’t want to have to apply them at 4 seperate times.
Would all ingredients still be effective or would mixing them be counteractive?
Thanks, Jack.
I have never tried applying it this way, but from what I understand, the adsorption of minoxidil is enhanced by alcohol, while the abortion of trichogen is enhanced by water. This would lead one to conclude that mixing both into one solution would decrease maximum abortion of each. Please feel free to comment on how well applying it this way has worked out for you if you’ve tried, but again, from what I understand it would counter productive.
[…] Get better savings by combining Lipogaine with generic minoxidil and trichogen as explained in my Hair Loss Treatment and Daily Routine to Stimulate Hair Growth. […]
How do we know your before after photos are just not photos of your hair loss in reverse? Are you getting paid by Hairenergizer.com to promote their site and send traffic their way? I notice the link you provide has a little extra on the address that is not needed. Is this to indicate that your website sent me there?
I am interested in growing my hair back like any man would be but wasting time and money which I dont have a lot of both would be really frustrating. May I see your hair today? Because Ive been visiting this site for a year or so seeing if you ever update it and i havent seen a new picture of your hair in that time?
I look forward to your reply.
Hi Stuart. I appreciate and respect your feedback. Please understand that I do not blog for a living and created this site to pass on something I felt could be useful. That being said, you are absolutely correct regarding the links. Like thousands of other sites I use affiliate links and I state this in my disclaimer page. I have no intentions of hiding that, but I use these products regularly and if I can get back a few dollars by telling others about them, it helps me pay for the products, and of course the hosting fees and creation of the site. As for pictures, I have good intentions but with a busy job, family, etc, there’s not a lot of free time. I do plan on taking more photos but I can honestly tell you that my hair has barely changed at all from the “after” photo already there. It does occasionally thin a little and then fill in again, and I am pretty sure it’s the shedding effect. Oh, and I also added in Nizoral shampoo to my routine. I use it 2-3 times a week since I started noticing a slight itching in my scalp, most likely caused by all the topical treatments. Worked like a charm and as a bonus, it is an androgen blocking shampoo as well! I keep meaning to write an article on it but again … time!!
I hope that answers your question and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Hi. Exactly which Multivitamin do you supplement with?
Thanks
I honestly just stick to reputable sources such as Centrum and Jamieson, and usually go for the best deal on Amazon or my local drugstore! The more diverse the list of included minerals and vitamins the better!
Hi. Please share exactly which multivitamin supplement you use.
Thank you.
Hi,
Great site, thanks! 2 questions:
1. Do you have a shampoo recommendation option for color treated hair? Is your shampoo choice Ok for treated hair?
2. I have hair loss on the frontal area and towards the back, not the top of head. Will your system treat this? I use rogaine foam to reduce hair loss, and uncertain of results.
Thanks again.
Thanks for visiting!
1. I am not sure on the color treated hair question, but considering that hair loss and the means to treat it start at the follicle level, it really should not make be a huge issue.
2. While minoxidil has been shown to work all over, it works best in the top crown area. This is why I incorporate the trichogen product – it is effective in the frontal hairline area.
Hi,
Thanks for the excellent information. I have been using Kirkland minoxidil once a day for about a month now (as well as multivitamins and Nizoral) and I’m definitely in the shedding phase as my hair is significantly thinner than when i started.
I was wondering if you had any information on what happens if you stop using minoxidil (ie. will I lose all the hair I hopefully regrow?)
Thanks!
Hi Harry. Glad you found the information here useful!
First off, I am glad you use Nizoral. I started using this in between caffeine shampoo and it DEFINITELY is effective. ..and cheap! I plan to put information on this up on this site very soon.
I have not stopped using minoxidil, but everything I understand about it would indicate that the benefits gained from using it would mostly likely start to reverse and hair loss would catch up quickly to the stage it was at when you started the minox. Remember, there are two major goals to preventing hair loss and regrowing hair – Stop DHT and stimulate growth. The minoxidil stimulates the growth and even in a scenario where we could hypothetically eliminate the negative effect of DHT, the stimulation would be key in getting those follicles back up and running and producing thicker stronger hair sooner.
Don’t let the shedding phase throw you off, the follicles grow and can produce a thicker hair strand, so the thinner hair strands fall out of the larger follicle (in a condensed nutshell version of what happens :))
Hi, I just have a question.
First of all, thank you for all this in dept information! Very helpful.
I want to know if this daily routine will work on a receding hairline as well. In the Kirkland Minoxidil pamphlet it states that the product is intended for the top of the scalp and might not work on other areas.
Can you perhaps clear this up for me.
Thanks
Hi! I’m very glad you found the information on this site helpful. Yes, Minoxidil is more suited for the top and not as effective for treating loss in the frontal hairline. That is why I combine the use of other products in my routine. I believe Trichogen has helped me minimize how much my frontal hairline has been receding. No doubt, my hair in the front is thinner than it was 20 years ago, but it’s not bad at all, and to be honest kind of what one would expect as we age. I DEFINITELY believe that trichogen, Alpecin/Nizoral shampoo + the minoxidil work together to provide as much hair loss prevention as possible through topical application.
Hello good sir,
Always great to come to your website and re-read certain points and facts. It is a motivating page, to keep the fight on against hair-loss.
I have actually been keeping my hair relatively short these past few months, and I find it more encouraging to keep using minxodil.
What is your take on Nizoral? As I see from a comment that you were very happy a user was using it. I did use it before many times, and I was wandering whether or not I should incorporate again in my regime.
Thank You!
Hi! Thanks for your kind words and I am happy to hear you find this site useful. I started using Nizoral as one of my shampoo treatments, alternating with Alpecin. I found that certain areas that have always phased in and out of a thinning period have actually been more stable ..if that makes any sense? Nizoral also eliminated some minor scalp itching, which was no doubt a result of using the minox. It completely went away!
I use Nizoral about 3 times per week and it has definitely made a difference.
Agree! I have again started using Nizoral and the itching has stopped. The hair somewhat feels and looks thicker too with it. I wish I used it from the beginning days. Anyways, a great product. And yes, I alternate between it and Alpecin too. They make a great combo.
On a different note, I am hoping to make a new purchase. I hope to get the Derma Roller; which is a rolling apparatus with little small needles and you roll over the scalp. Thus increasing absorption of the products; as it is said to increase bloody supply.
Really glad to hear you are getting results! Please update us on how the Derma Roller works out if you have time!
Hi, this seems very encouraging. I still have a few unused bottles of Rogaine left, do you think it would go well with Lipogaine and Alpecin as much as Kirkland? Maybe the answer is obvious, but at 25 I just want to be extra-careful and make sure. 🙂 I also just started using Hair Growth tablets from Zenwise Labs.
I can’t see why not. The only reason for Kirkland over Rogaine is price. They both contain the 5% minoxidil so the results should be the same in my opinion!
Hi,
Thanks for all the great info!
I wanted to ask, are you able to apply the minoxidil before showering in the morning? say 45 minutes before?
The reason I ask Is that I tried a natural solution for a while which was similar in the fact that you would apply the product to the scalp and leave it for x amount of time. I would do this before bed because it was obvious that I had put something in my hair.
When you apply minoxidil and set out for the day is it not obvious that you have put some sort of product in your hair? my hair is quite thin so all I can imagine is having the “wet” look all day.
Sorry for being a novice.
Hi Sam. 45 minutes may not be long enough to wait before washing, as several hours is the recommended time. I agree, the look of your hair can be “off” with minoxidil treatments applied, but it’s the solution getting in your hair too much that causes this. I find that after it dries, the hair can be either dry and abnormal looking with Kirkland minoxidil, or sticky with Lipogaine. What helps, is to use a damp cloth to just wipe down the hair, and this avoids removing the solution form the scalp. I am pretty sure the minoxidil has already penetrated the scalp at this point anyway.
Thanks for visiting, and hope this helps!
Hi,
Thanks for all the info.
I just had one question. When you say you combine Lipogaine and Kirkland Minoxidil, Is it just as simple as mixing these two together? do you apply one then the other? or mix them together prior to adding to the scalp.
Sam, when I say combine, I mean use them both in a treatment routine, like I explain in my Daily routine. Hope this helps!
Hi great read , can I use the Ana stem in the morning with th krkland brand together ? thx
Thanks Tony, I’m glad you found this useful! You can use AnaStim Ha any time, due to it providing benefits through a totally different mechanism than minoxidil or finasteride. However, I would suggest leaving time for the minoxidil to dry completely before using another topical treatment.
Good luck and thanks for visiting the site!
Hi and thank you very much for your advices, I really appreciated. I just have one question: as I can look in your before picture you treated a big área of your scalp, so, does that mean you use more than just 1 ml in the morning or at night as directed by the manufacturer? how much minoxidil do you use in every application?
Answered below
Just wanted to say thanks for this step-by-step guide. This is probably my last attempt at halting the balding process before giving up and accepting genetic defeat, so fingers crossed! Regrow would be brilliant, but as long as it stops it I’m just happy with that. Hopefully I get similar successful results to you. Will keep you posted!
Hi Brad. You are very welcome. I place strong confidence that this routine will halt the hair loss, and any hair that is thin or recently lost has a very strong chance of returning to a healthy state!
Please not that I have updated the article since your post (and the site), so you may want to check that out. I apologize for the delay, but I maintain this site in my spare time and there’s isn’t always an abundance of it. I plan to give this more attention going forward though. The comments and emails are very fulfilling and creating an online resource to help others is a great hobby.
Yes please do keep me posted on your results and good luck!
Hi, considering how big is the área that you are treating, How much Minoxidil do you use? more tan 1ml in each application?
I try to be conservative with Lipogaine, and FAR less conservative with Kirkland Minoxidil. I cover all the areas that I know are susceptible to lose hair from past experience, so with the Kirkland Minoxidil, yes, I use more than the 1ml most times. This is for one of the two daily applications of minoxidil so I am very comfortable with that much once a day. The Kirkland stuff is so cost effective, and I take advantage of that!
Thanks for commenting and all the best!
Thank you very much, this looks like something special. I hope it’ll work for me too, I’m very positive
I hope it does too! Stay positive and let us know how it works out 🙂
Thanks for your advice. What are your thoughts on using trichogen alone and a ketoconazole shampoo like Regenepure? I’m reluctant to use minoxidil as I understand some people have experienced side effects such as skin ageing and black circles under their eyes.
Hi Anthony,
I think any of the treatments are certainly better than none, but minoxidil and finasteride are really up there on the list. I think that without them, ketoconazole shampoo alone may not be enough.
I have not heard much about side effects for minoxidil other than a very low percentage of users who have experienced low blood pressure.
Finasteride has been known to cause some side effects, but again only in a small percentage of users – and since the side effects disappear once the finasteride is stopped, it may be worth a try!
Thanks for the visit and I hope that my answer was of some help.
Do you know if this method can be used for women’s hair loss? With age, etc., mine had been thinning for a few years. I started using Lipogaine for women (2%) a few years ago and I loved it even though I was anything but consistent it using it. I switched to the men’s version (5%) since I thought that if I wasn’t using it as often as I should, maybe the 5% would be better. I don’t know if there’s been a big difference between the two. My hair loss definitely stopped, but I need to get into a real routine to get the max benefits and regrowth. One thing for those who wonder … I am absolutely positive the Lipogaine works to stop hair loss. I am a mom of 20-somethings and an attorney with a stressful job. I’m not a shill for any company. I can tell you, when I stopped using it after a year when I ran out, any doubt I had was gone. As your hair slowly fills in, you don’t really notice it growing back. But once you stop using it and you start getting more hair in your comb each day, you become very aware of its quiet effectiveness. That all being said, as a woman, I don’t know if using all the other products and the twice-a-day minoxidil is necessary for me. I was only using the Lipo in the morning. I also have to use conditioner on my hair, or I wouldn’t be able to brush it out. I could use the shampoo though. Thanks for your site! It’s a wonderful resource!
Hi Kelly. I am glad to hear you found this resource helpful. I can appreciate any frustration you may have when looking for a viable solution for female hair loss, simply because there are so few options!
As I understand, the only real options would be 2% minoxidil (Lipogaine as the best known source developed in a version for women), Trichogen or some alternative product that provides a blend of nutrients and DHT blockers in a solution, and Nizoral shampoo. Finasteride is not promoted for female hair loss because it is not FDA approved for such. The reasons for not being FDA approved are based on a lack of effectiveness and for safety issues. However, some studies show that it does benefit women for fighting hair loss, but at a higher dose and only women who are post menopausal.
The reason 2% minoxidil is recommended for women but not 5%, is that some side effects such as dermatitis and itching are more likely with women. It is worth nothing though, that in 2014, 5% minoxidil foam was approved for women because the foam version is less likely to cause these side effects. Also, women only need to apply minoxidil once a day as opposed to twice, as men should.
I have read that iron supplements may help female hair loss, but obviously there would have to be some sort of deficiency to begin with.
As for losing the hair once you stop, YES that is something that everyone should be aware of! I experienced this with finasteride. I stopped it quite a few years back, and it was crazy how fast I began to lose hair. That was when I started heavy research and began minoxidil. Now days I use it all, and it seems clear that only with the combination of the known treatments that work am I able to get strong results.
I wish you all the luck possible and thanks again for visiting my site!
New to your blog. Stumbled upon it browsing the web. Keep up the great work. I am hoping you update it regularly.
I really wish you have a tutorial on how to use DermaMatch… I’m a bit skeptical about it and whether it works better than hair fibers.. What do you think? Is it really as good as promoted? The company said that it really thickens hair and cover the scalp better..
And I have a theory as well about using caffeine shampoo so hear me out and let me know your thoughts on it. Since the function of caffeine shampoo is to retain your current hair and make weakened hair by DHT stronger, is it possible that after we regrow our hair by using products such as Lipogaine that our hair will stay and it will not fall off after discontinue usage of Lipogaine?? Because the new hairs have grown and all we need to do is maintain it right by keeping DHT on the scalp under control… Of which caffeine shampoo does the job. Do you think that will work? Because I can’t imagine myself using Lipogaine every single day till my 50s when I’m finally fine with a balding head… I’m still in my mid 20s so its still a long way to go.. If its using Lipogaine up to a year to regrow hair maybe I can do that, but not more. Using caffeine shampoo everyday I don’t mind since I want my hair and scalp to be clean anyway!
Hey Danni,
First of all, for DermMatch, I used it ..and I used it a LOT for the years when I was in between – after I stopped Propecia and before I started my daily routine to fight hair loss. I found that I had to wet the applicator a little more than recommended, and I had to brush it into my hair a lot. I’m talking quite a bit of brushing here! Once I did though, I got it to look very natural and it thickened the appearance of my hair fantastically. I would then spray my hair with a mist conditioner, and work in some Toppik. These two products worked together so well, but I have to tell you, I am NOT missing all that messing around. I then had to wash this out every evening to apply AnaStim Ha / second Minoxidil application.
Once my hair was thickened enough from the patience of doing the minox, trichogen, etc., I was very happy to be able to exclude using this stuff every day. It took alot of time and inconvenience.
I should post an article on all this because I have so much to say – it worked amazingly well, but I had to keep the hair I still had VERY short for it to look natural.
As for caffeine shampoo, it helps fight hair loss and definitely improves the look and feel of hair, but no I honestly do NOT believe it would keep your hair on its own once you stopped minoxidil or finasteride (or both).
BUT .. try not to think about using any of this in your 50’s!! My thoughts are that, after a lot of extensive research, there will be some great treatments on the market in the next 5 years, mostly centered around PGD2 (prostaglandin D2 ) and stem cells. Also, if the worst case scenario happens and there is no new treatment, you may consider a transplant at that age (which by then will be advanced even further than the FUE transplants of today which already look great).
Hope that helps!
So to put it simply… Are you saying DermMatch works better than hair fibers when it comes to concealing the scalp and thicken the appearance of thin hair? I just don’t like the idea of brushing the product into the hair though.. It sounds like it takes time to do that compared to just sprinkling the hair fibers over your hair :/ And yes I agree with you who would miss applying all these products on your hair daily! The only reason why I do it is I have to… To avoid embarrassment.. To feel confident in public 🙁
Please do make another article since you have much to say! Thank you for making this website and responding to peoples enquiries.. You’re really a big help to us suffering hair loss and at least there is someone we can ask regarding this.
Sad to know as well that you do not think caffeine shampoo will help retain our hair after it has regrown from using any topical treatments… :(( I really don’t want to rely on topical treatments plus I’ve read a lot of negative feedback about minoxidil that it will stop working after a certain period of time and you will lose your hair that you’ve regrown even more than when you started. Hows your situation though with the minoxidil? You still using it now? And no I am not willing to do hair transplant because of the cost and I don’t think its available in my country anyway. It’s funny that no medicine/supplement is produced yet that actually helps with hair loss and regrow hair that truly works without any side effects… Aren’t we advanced already technologically in this day & age!?
Danni,
You are very welcome! I have been using minoxidil for about 3 years now, and have not noticed any diminishing results. I have been adding finasteride for the past year to try it again. After about 5 months did notice a little extra growth and thin hairs that were not growing very long now grow longer and thicker.
We are getting closer to a better solution, and I believe it will likely be through stem cell advancement, PGD2 (prostaglandin D2 ) or a combination of both. Give it a few years!
JB
So have you started making the new article?
You mean on concealers? I recently posted an article on my experience with Toppik.
No, I didn’t find DermMatch better than Toppik. They are too different from each other to compare that way. They worked quite well together, but if only using one, I would pick Toppik. DermMatch worked well as a base when my hair was at its thinnest – to “supplement” Toppik hair fibers.
[…] Male Hair Loss Treatment and Daily Routine to Stimulate … – NOTE*: I recently updated this male hair loss treatment routine to reflect what I have found works best for me after doing this every day for over 4 years. […]
1. Alpecin gave me extreme scalp irritation, so I just started using regenpure and things normalized
2. I had side effects using even the 1mg version of finasterid aka propecia. So I can’t really take propecia so my question is does the treatment work well even without it?
Thanks.
Hi,
Thanks for visiting. Yes, you can achieve great results from minoxidil (particularly solutions with added ingredients such as Lipogaine), topical treatments like AnaStim Ha, and of course using Nizoral shampoo a few times weekly. You can also get some minimal DHT blocking from Saw Palmetto supplements.
Minoxidil works great without finasteride so long as you begin using it before hair loss becomes extreme and so long as you don’t wait too long to address it. The more more miniaturized hair follicles become, and the longer they have been that way, the lower the chances of getting strong results.
I hope that answers your question!
JB – HFK
I began researching out some of the products you mentioned here. i am a female with thinning hair and saw that the kirkland Minoxidil is not recommended for women. I found a product called nutrastim 2% minoxidil that is. What are your thoughts about the difference between 2% and 5%?
Hi Kay,
Minoxidil 2% is recommended for women, because the 5% solutions have been known to cause mild side effects such as dermatitis and itching. That being said, the foam versions as mentioned in a few articles on here, can be purchased on Amazon and in 2014, 5% minoxidil foam was approved for women because the foam version is less likely to cause these side effects. Oh, and also, Also, women only need to apply minoxidil once a day and not twice a day like men – so it should last twice as long!
Thanks for your question and for visiting, and I wish you all the best!
JB – HFK
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
Danni,
I know you mentioned that Finasteride, minoxidil and topical DHT blockers make a powerful combination. But, what are are thoughts on someone taking all the above excluding the Finasteride?
Hi Reg,
I did exactly that for quite a while, and had great success with it! Adding finasteride to the mix provides the optimal results, and without it I noticed slow thinning over time that continued – particularly around the frontal hairline. But honestly, the minoxidil, vitamins, shampoos, etc., even without finasteride still provided solid results.
There may come a day when finasteride returns diminishing results and if that happens, I’ll either turn to transplant options, shave it or perhaps there will be an affordable stem cell therapy option I can look into. Until then .. it’s one day at a time 🙂
If you have reasons to leave out the finasteride, the remaining options are still MUCH better then nothing at all.
Thanks for the comment!
JB – HFK
Hi,
So I’ve been using minoxidil for about 4 weeks now (twice a day) and just noticed that you use lipogain as your second minoxidil application. Do you think that if I cut the minoxidil to one time a day and use the lipogain for the second, will that potentially effect my regrowth negatively for the time being?
Hi PK,
If you are asking if using Lipogaine as a second minoxidil application would make a difference, then I assume you know this, but Lipogaine ‘is” minoxidil! It just happens to be a solution that includes a pile of other beneficial ingredients with the minoxidil to improve the application. Using Lipogaine for any minoxidil application is a great idea in my opinion. It’s a truly excellent product, and I really like it for many reasons.
You can also read my Lipogaine Review for more detailed information.
Thanks!
JB – HFK
Can you speak more about the msm and multivitamins you take? Are you looking for any particular ingredients? Do you recommend any brands or suggest anything I should look for in a MSM/Multivitamin? Thank you!
Chacha, MSM, also known as organic sulfur, is believed to be a strong healing ingredient, as sulphur is a mineral that is in every cell in our bodies, and the greatest concentration is in hair, skin and nails. Organic Sulfur has shown in studies to extend the anogen phase of the hair growing cycle.
Sulfur is rapidly declining in food we eat these days, so a lot of us are sulfur deficient from natural dietary sources. Also, it’s considered safe – the book, ‘The Miracle of MSM’ states that MSM is considered to be “as safe as drinking water” with no chance of overdose.
I will say though, that as far as ‘solid’ proof, there really is none. In fact some scientists are skeptical that taking organic sulfur in supplement form will work on the intracellular (inside the cell) level where it actually influences hair growth.
As for the brand name, honestly I just grab a recognizable brand, usually the one with the best price.
Hope this answers your question!
Thanks,
JB – HFK
What are your thoughts on finasteride? Im 23 years old and experiencing extreme balding in the frontal area of my scalp. I know minoxidil is very important in your regimen, but would you say taking finasteride is the most important factor? What is your experience with this pill because unfortunately, I have found a lot of negative comments in my research which is making me very hesitant in getting a prescription .
Jake, I get this questions a lot. The truth is, finasteride is a big part of an effective treatment of hair loss, but results can be obtained without it for sure.
The side effects of finasteride are reported far more than when someone has no side effects, so naturally you will find this kind of thing online. I have never had any serious side effects, although when I was taking finasteride in younger years, I did feel something slightly ‘off’. I had a break in taking finasteride and began using it again. Now days I find no difference at all.
Another important consideration is that many men who use finasteride take it because they are experiencing hair loss in their 30’s and 40’s. There is a natural occurrence of many of the symptom that are claimed to be side effects of finasteride during these years anyway. It is possible that many of the reported side effects are mistaken as being caused by finasteride, when they would have occurred anyway.
I suggest read up on finasteride, and if you decide to use it, monitor yourself and simply stop the drug if serious side effects occur. Most minor side effects only last for the first few weeks or so anyway in most reported cases.
Bottom line .. it’s your choice and yours alone to make. Anything you put in your body should be done responsibly and with the confidence and power of knowledge.
Best of luck and let us know how you make out!
JB – HFK
You haven’t mentioned this on your website, but what is your opinion on hair laser therapy. There are a number of “laser hair helmets” in the market and I want to know what you think about the idea of using laser technology to treat hair loss.
Hi John,
I am a big believer in combining different methods to address hair loss, simply because there are many treatments that each work in a different way. Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) is supported by some solid research and reviews from people who have used it. I have often thought about using it because of the low maintenance involved – if using a hands-free type of device. I could simply wear it 20 minutes here and the while working on my computer or catching a show on Netflix.
I plan to post an article on this soon, and address LLLT in detail. I believe it has strong potential, but only if used with other approaches, such as minoxidil and finasteride. Low level laser therapy for hair loss works by decreasing inflammation in the scalp, and increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which stimulates hair growth. It’s also FDA approved, which is a huge plus in its favor, and is proven to be safe.
If you do use it, keep us posted on how it works out!
Thanks for stopping by,
HFK
Does this daily routine work for women?
Yes but unfortunately finasteride is rarely a choice for women (definitely see your doctor on this). Minoxidil can be used by women, and Lipogaine in particular has a version specifically for women! You may also want to consider Laser therapy using an affordable at-home device.
Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
JB – HFK