From: James
Date: 6/18/00
Time: 11:45:51 AM
Remote Name: 212.140.21.107
I am 26 and have been losing my hair since 18. Just over two years ago I started on Minoxidil 5% with Retin-A twice a day then changed to Xandrox 5%. I used this for about a year and noticed shedding periods and periods when my hair was stronger and would not pull out as easily. Then I incorporated Xandrox 12.5% at the front in the evening. Then about a year ago I started on Finasteride 1mg (once per day) as well while still using 12.5% Xandrox and 5% Xandrox.
However after a few months I didn't see any frontal growth from the Xandrox 12.5% so stopped it as it whitened the skin and was slightly irritating.
A couple of months ago I started on the new Crinagen (with Azelaic Acid) and incorporated it with Finasteride 1mg once a day (in the morning) and Minoxidil 5% (stopped Xandrox because that contains Azelaic Acid as well. My crown is slightly thicker than a year ago and the hair on top is too slightly. There is little change at the front at all, if anything I have lost more in the last two years. But the main difference is that I no longer get ANY hair on the pillow in the morning and find it difficult to pull out any hair whereas before I could pull out 4 or 5 strands at a time.
Basically before I started using Crinagen my routine was a little inconsistent as I would stop Finasteride for maybe a few months then start again if I couldn't afford it, the same with the Xandrox. But now I have been using Finasteride solidly for 5 or 6 months and Crinagen for 2 and Minoxidil for 2-3 (solidly) I have noticed stronger thicker hair and I hope this will continue to improve.
My advice is to try this combination treatment but STICK TO IT. As I said, I would miss a few months here and there and that weakens the effectiveness of any combination treatment. And don't worry about initial shedding. If any of your hair is to grow back or to thicken, the older weaker shaft has to be disgarded first - it doesn't suddenly appear thicker overnight. The shedding phase can last for 3 months and a further month for regrowth so stick with it. Think of it in basic terms of the hair follicle widening so the thin shaft falls out and is replaced by a wider shaft to fit its place.
My e-mail is jsd999@hotmail.com if anyone wants to ask me any questions.
Cheers.
James