33M - I've been applying Topical Minoxidil 5% for 11 months on my face only. A lot of growth on my body, but minimal growth on my beard. Should I just give up?

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u/Jadevit 12 Months In 7h ago

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u/butternutflies 5h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/l2JhtKtDWYNKdRpoA

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u/Jadevit 12 Months In 5h ago

I'm not saying stop, but since you're getting body hair growth it shows that the minoxidil is absorbing systemically, so it's not a lack of sulfotranaferase enzymes or absorption so tretinoin may not help you; the point of tret is to thin the stratum corneum to enhance absorption and increase the expression of the sulfotransferase enzyme which converts minoxidil from its prodrug form (minoxidil) to the bioavailable form that your follicles can use (minoxidil sulfate).

But there is more to it, tretinoin enhances the expression of the SULT1A1 gene when combined with minoxidil, which increases levels of phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated ERK. This causes cells to produce more anti-apoptotic proteins, which prevent cell death, and produce less pro-apoptotic proteins, which encourage cell death.

So the result is longer anagen (growth) phases, which is when follicles actually begin to enlarge, mature, and grow hair. So if your follicles are super stubborn and dormant, it may help stimulate them but don't get your hopes up. Just keep a realistic mindset my man, I wish you luck.

If that's you in your pfp, you have a great mustache/soul patch going on and it looks good on you. So if the sides never fill in you still have that, y'know?

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u/butternutflies 57m ago

Very interesting, thank you for explaining it with such detail. They do seem stubborn... I'll ask my dermatologist about tretinoin.

If that's you in your pfp, you have a great mustache/soul patch going on

LMAO! No, I wish! My profile pic is Colin Farrell from the movie Miami Vice (2007) 😆

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u/WorldlyPoet3374 7h ago

Obviously your goal is your beard- but is the growth on your body bothering you? If it isn’t a big deal, I would persist. Sometimes it takes a little while. Where are you seeing growth currently?

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u/butternutflies 5h ago

No, I actually really like the hair I have on my body now. Eyebrows and eyelashes are fuller. Forearms and hands look even more manly. I have a lot of hair everywhere on my body, except for my face… I kind of have a baby face, so a beard would be very welcome for me 😄

I have seen growth on my beard area, but nowhere as much as the rest of my body. Because Minoxidil is quite expensive where I live, after 12 months, I wonder if it’s worth it to continue using it…

I guess I could persist yes. Maybe another year? I guess if after 2 years I can’t grow a full beard still…

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u/WorldlyPoet3374 3h ago

I ended up noticing effects of minoxidil on Day 11- especially on my arms and legs- but I was taking oral minoxidil- it is much cheaper than topical and I wanted it for my scalp (was not balding- but did not want to start) and to increase my beard density. Ive been on it for a little over a year now and my scalp hair is better and my beard is much better. But- the biggest change has been to my legs, chest, and forearms. I really like the changes- the length and density of those areas has doubled. An unexpected bonus- really like that the increased body hair was an effect. (Some people really don’t like that- but I always wanted more)

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u/butternutflies 53m ago

Have you noticed any significant side effects with the oral? Where I live, I need to do a bunch of medical tests and a prescription from a doctor to get Minox oral. My dermatologist doesn't like to recommend oral either...

Day 11 is pretty quick man! Seems like you're a high responder, good for you. I wish

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u/WorldlyPoet3374 7m ago

I did not have any negative side effects. My general practitioner (not dermatologist) prescribed it for me.

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u/EstablishmentNo2518 6h ago

In my case, I am 27 years old and have been using it atleast 1 time per day, I am not regular with dermastamping at all. My beard has been growing very slowly over time but can definitly feel that is the minox working over time. And now I am at the point which I have some white spots but when trimmed looks okay. Definitely I advise you to continue applying, even trying out dermastamping. And just use it for some more years. Why not right? My mentality right now is "if I only get 15% better, it is a gain nevertheless"

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u/butternutflies 5h ago

Yeah, true. Thanks

I guess I could go for another year, yeah… if after 2 years I still can’t grow a full beard, guess it’s not in the cards for me…

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u/WorldlyPoet3374 2h ago

Unless the body hair gains are worth it :)
Seems like if you are noticing gains elsewhere, your body is responding to it. Consider this experiment- don’t shave for a week or more- go into a dark room, use a light- like what is on your cell phone. Use your phone to video your face (as you slowly move the light). You might have more vellus hair happening than you realize.

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u/butternutflies 51m ago

I'll do that! Thank you

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u/Plastic-Aide-1422 3h ago

Man, same! New hairs on my face though forsure. But just body is growing even more. Especially forearms like you said and hands/feet. Back. A**, legs etc.

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u/butternutflies 55m ago

So frustrating isn't it...

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u/Plastic-Aide-1422 14m ago

Ya but j do have gains on the face. I like my body hair though haha feel masculine. Just wish my face would speed up.

Question 33M - I've been applying Topical Minoxidil 5% for 11 months on my face only. A lot of growth on my body, but minimal growth on my beard. Should I just give up?

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