RejuvePlex and minoxidil -- Replace? or use both??

Nid,CS, others:
What are your thoughts on using Rejuveplex and Minoxidil (at separate times of day)? Or, if I've had some success with minoxidil, can I drop it and replace it with Rejuveplex?

I stopped using Rogaine Foam about 7-8 months ago, and since then gradually lost a lot of hair all over the top of my head. Most of the recent loss is at crown, then the front, and diffuse loss over the top of my head -- it really thinned out a lot. I reluctantly decided to start using Rogaine Foam again --- I've been sucked back into using minoxidil several times like this after quitting then losing a bunch of hair. Restarting minoxidil seems to be the only thing that slows the loss down. I'm 35, and I've used the Top3/Top 6 for two years or so with only little success - although I admit I have a tough time staying consistent with all of the pill popping.

I haven't had the time to research in detail all of the options for topicals, but I like the holistic approach you guys advocate and therefore was interested in trying the Rejuveplex, however I'm concerned about whether or not I should still use minoxidil/Rogaine Foam. I know it's not really recommended on this forum, but it's been one of the few things where I notice a difference (at least when I stop). Any thoughts?

joetr wrote:Nid,CS, others:
What are your thoughts on using Rejuveplex and Minoxidil (at separate times of day)? Or, if I've had some success with minoxidil, can I drop it and replace it with Rejuveplex?

I stopped using Rogaine Foam about 7-8 months ago, and since then gradually lost a lot of hair all over the top of my head. Most of the recent loss is at crown, then the front, and diffuse loss over the top of my head -- it really thinned out a lot. I reluctantly decided to start using Rogaine Foam again --- I've been sucked back into using minoxidil several times like this after quitting then losing a bunch of hair. Restarting minoxidil seems to be the only thing that slows the loss down. I'm 35, and I've used the Top3/Top 6 for two years or so with only little success - although I admit I have a tough time staying consistent with all of the pill popping.

I haven't had the time to research in detail all of the options for topicals, but I like the holistic approach you guys advocate and therefore was interested in trying the Rejuveplex, however I'm concerned about whether or not I should still use minoxidil/Rogaine Foam. I know it's not really recommended on this forum, but it's been one of the few things where I notice a difference (at least when I stop). Any thoughts?

Man, your story is almost identical to mine. I'm 28 but kept going off and on Minox for several years until this time around. I dropped it completely in June and have lost a ton of hair. I haven't gone back on it this time and don't intend to, but so far the top 6 still doesn't seem to be doing much. I do think that people like us might need a topical to kick start growth, since Minoxidil does work for us - the side effects just suck. We really need to figure out a way to emulate what minoxidil does in a natural way, but I suspect that no-one truly knows why it works. I haven't committed to Rejuvaplex yet, but may go that route.

I'm sure we are not the only guys in this situation. We need to figure things out.

joetr - It sounds like Minoxidil dependent hairs. A significant shed occurs following cessation of minoxidil. So restarting just may start this process again.

To make the most of any supplement routine, if you haven't tried already, would suggest a heavy metal detox.

As far as how minoxidil would impact things when used apart from the other topical, probably so, at least there is no reason believe there would be a problem--although it has not been evaluated, so I cannot be certain.

CausticSymmetry wrote:joetr - It sounds like Minoxidil dependent hairs. A significant shed occurs following cessation of minoxidil. So restarting just may start this process again.

To make the most of any supplement routine, if you haven't tried already, would suggest a heavy metal detox.

As far as how minoxidil would impact things when used apart from the other topical, probably so, at least there is no reason believe there would be a problem--although it has not been evaluated, so I cannot be certain.

CS, curious, how long do you think the minoxidil-dependent hairs should take to shed? Should it last longer than a year?

unfortunate wrote:

CausticSymmetry wrote:joetr - It sounds like Minoxidil dependent hairs. A significant shed occurs following cessation of minoxidil. So restarting just may start this process again.

To make the most of any supplement routine, if you haven't tried already, would suggest a heavy metal detox.

As far as how minoxidil would impact things when used apart from the other topical, probably so, at least there is no reason believe there would be a problem--although it has not been evaluated, so I cannot be certain.

CS, curious, how long do you think the minoxidil-dependent hairs should take to shed? Should it last longer than a year?

No, the shed should not continue for anywhere near that long. Here's a chart to get an idea of what happens.



After that vertical line (96 week) is what happens after cessation.

So what to do instead of minoxidil? I would suggest either blood donation or green tea extract taken with meals.

Caustic, Thanks for the feedback. I think I saw that you posted instructions somewhere for a heavy metal detox -- it may have even been a different site, but I can't find it right now. Do you have the link? Also, can you explain (or link to) how/why the heavy metal detox is an important first step in addressing hair loss? I believe I read heavy metals can be related to candida, and I was thinking candida could be an issue for me. I've also been struggling with eczema on my hands for the last 6 months and was thinking it could be related.

Last month I did a 10 day whole food/whole body cleanse(http://www.wholefoodfarmacy.com/2005/CAT3.asp ) Not sure if it would be considered a heavy metal cleanse though, would it? Also, last June I did a parasite cleanse (it was recommended by a quantum biofeedback practicioner) and it caused a number of problems for me -- I guess a had a pretty bad detox reaction, so I'm a little concerned about cleansing/detoxing.

CausticSymmetry wrote:

unfortunate wrote:

CausticSymmetry wrote:joetr - It sounds like Minoxidil dependent hairs. A significant shed occurs following cessation of minoxidil. So restarting just may start this process again.

To make the most of any supplement routine, if you haven't tried already, would suggest a heavy metal detox.

As far as how minoxidil would impact things when used apart from the other topical, probably so, at least there is no reason believe there would be a problem--although it has not been evaluated, so I cannot be certain.

CS, curious, how long do you think the minoxidil-dependent hairs should take to shed? Should it last longer than a year?

No, the shed should not continue for anywhere near that long. Here's a chart to get an idea of what happens.



After that vertical line (96 week) is what happens after cessation.

So what to do instead of minoxidil? I would suggest either blood donation or green tea extract taken with meals.

Blood donation? What's the rationale behind this in regards to quitting minoxidil?

Here's the link: http://healthyfixx.com/plan/5/heavy-metal-detox

And here is one for iron: http://healthyfixx.com/28/donate-blood-for-your-health

The rational for heavy metals is many, but the basic idea is that these are a source of free radicals, they promote endocrine changes, and give rise to infections. Therefore, when they are removed, everything works better. It also promotes better thyroid function.

As for iron, it is similar, iron in men is cumulative and is a source of oxidation and fuels pathogenic bacteria.

Beyond all this, I always suggest to look into the oral cavity (pathology) if there is refractory response to treatment. For example, if there is an infection in the jawbone, crown, tooth, abscess or gums, it should be dealt with appropriately. Oil pulling is one way to fight this while addressing the cause later on.

As for minoxidil, there is no such thing as a minoxidil deficiency, and as I see it, the real problem is simply imbalance of the renal angiotensin system or at the very least an ATP shortage due to a co-factor deficient.

There are several ways to replace minoxidil naturally. Either incorporate mineralization, such as bio-available salts or by ATP co-factors, such as topical Carnitine.

Minoxidil "works" by opening of potassium (K+) channels, causing hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and/or decreasing cell excitability. It is the ATP potassium channels that are affected through the dermal papilla. This essentially is providing energy to the hair follicles.

and how does green tea fit into this? I wish I would have had this info years ago quit 5% minoxidil(wasn't on it too long though less than 6 months) wish some of the loss could be reversed.

I would advise against green tea extract use. It inhibits DHT, and inhibiting DHT systematically is very bad, which people on this forum should know. (However, I have seen one study that saw using just green tea actually increased DHT whereas when it was combined with resveratrol it caused the noticeably lower levels).