should i start minoxidil?

I was planning on starting minoxidil and ordered a solution of 5% minox/5% azelaic acid.
But now I am unsure if I should start. And you have to be on it foreverrrrrr, and I'm only 20. I read that minox could cause dark circles under the eyes, and I ALREADY have bad dark circles as it is. And it gives you wrinkles from blocking collagen?

CS wrote "Do note that Minoxidil's success rate is rather low. I believe it's about 25 to 30%."
What?? That doesnt sound very good, but its recommended as the most fundamental thing in hair loss.
I've also seen minox referred to as "poison" on here. Ahhh!
But I've also read good things about it.

So far searching, I've read posts on here that recommend topical magnesium oil & potassium chloride, Adenogen (really expensive), and maybe topical iodine? has anyone actually tried these with long-term success?
And has anyone used them in comparison to minox and found them to work better than minox in real life (not just in theory)?

catcat - Minoxidil should not be used. It's a cover for a mineralocorticoid imbalance. Mineralocorticoid maintains water and electrolyte balance, via the kidneys (adrenal function in concern with the thyroid and hypothalamus and pituitary gland).

yea i see the problem is deeper

but I'm afraid that if i dont use it, i will bald worse than if i do use it, all other things being equal, if that makes sense?

The fact that it is one of the socalled recommended treatments does not reflects its effectiveness. Its many things out there you should look into first.. damn minox. 1) gives you a big shed when startet, leaving you worse off, then waiting months and months and months for it to return which it may never do. 2) contains alcohol, messes your scalp up. 3) leaves you with a second horrible shed the day you finally understands its lack of effectiveness and stops using it.

THere are many far far better options: Elsom topicals for example. And if you need good advice on topicals, go to Hairlossfight.com and ask Jacob.

Minox should be the last thing you try IMO/IME

I'm one of those people who responded very well to minoxidil, but had some sides such as extra hair growth on my back and face. I suppose this means I have a mineralocorticoid imbalance. I was looking over previous threads and I read that the best way to correct this is by taking magnesium and apple cider vinegar capsules? Is this still the general consensus?

MilBA - Minoxidil is a blood pressure drug that has vasodilating effects. It increases ATP Potassium channels.

Magnesium also lowers blood pressure and actives ATP potassium channels.

Here's a section on blood pressure and hair loss: http://www.immortalhair.org/physiology.htm

Thanks CS, I think I'm going give http://www.iherb.com/Peter-Gillham-s-Natural-Vitality-Natural-Calm-The-Anti-Stress-Drink-16-oz-454-g/5121?at=0 a try. I've heard nothing but positive results from it. Seems to get good ratings from Iherb customers too.

Interesting summary on minoxidil:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470297_4

If we conclude that this works via opening of Katp channels which "natural" topicals would make the best/ most robust replacement. Have heard magnesium oil and KCL powder lathered into shampoo offered as alternatives.

Stoke10 wrote:Interesting summary on minoxidil:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470297_4

If we conclude that this works via opening of Katp channels which "natural" topicals would make the best/ most robust replacement. Have heard magnesium oil and KCL powder lathered into shampoo offered as alternatives.

Anymore information or updtaes on this?