The truth about Minoxidil - The holy grail or overhyped Looksmin?

Yeah this is why I stopped using oral minoxidil. At the time I stopped I was the leanest I’ve ever been yet my face still looked fatter and puffier compared to pictures from before I started taking it.
 
  • +1
Reactions: Enytraina, rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and 2 others
I've gotten compliments about how long my eyelashes are growing up, yet i'm 18 and slowly balding with very thin hair. I love irony
 
  • So Sad
  • +1
Reactions: NotaChadyet, rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and 1 other person

View attachment 3682319
The truth about Minoxidil - Part 1



Growing your eyelashes and eyebrows is one of the best and only true softmaxxes.

Because of that, many people choose compounds like Minoxidil to grow hairs in their eye area or even on the scalp.



This thread will reveal why you should be cautious with Minoxidil - And how it could actually harm your looks.



History
Minoxidil was developed for antihypertensive and vasodilative purposes.

View attachment 3682339

Though this use case was later dropped as even the developing scientists figured out that it isn't efficient at what it does.

It's the last resort when it comes to hypertension - Only being used when two agents and/or a diuretic aren't enough.


And not even monotherapy is a valid option. It has to be combined with a loop diuretic either way because of the sodium and potassium retention it causes. :feelskek:

Appeal in PSL-Spaces
The other use case beside hypertension is hair growth.

Unfortunately it's not the best option for stopping scalp hair loss as that is a mainly AR-mediated pathway.

That means it won't prevent any miniaturization of the hair follicle, @chadisbeingmade is going to make a thread covering the topic of 5ARIs.

The other use case is like I mentioned previously, growing the hairs in your eye area.

View attachment 3682266

It's an exaggerated example removing the hair completely obviously, but I hope you can see how important they are.

There are two ways you can grow them via Minoxidil: Topical and Oral.


Topical
Topical Minoxidil is pretty harsh on your eyes, that's why you should only apply it on your eyebrows.

Another thing is that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2 (The active ingredient in Latisse).


Oral
Oral Minoxidil is very effective in growing your eyelashes, but more of that in the biology section.

[Brutal UEE right there, just look at the lashes duh :feelswhat:]
View attachment 3682288




Biology
The unfortunate truth is, if you are using Minoxidil you are going to retain a ton more water and be bloated.

This is primarely mediated by the activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System.

View attachment 3682292

I'll try to keep it short:

  1. Minoxidil vasodilates blood vessels
  2. Activation of RAAS
  3. Aldosterone increase
  4. Sodium, potassium and water retention

In short, this means your Aldosterone skyrockets making you retain a ton more sodium/potassium and consequently more water.

This means it's a big trade off, hair growth or bloat. What do you choose, no water retention or mogger eyelashes?


View attachment 3682392

Conclusion
The only possible solution to solve the bloat is using an aldosterone-antagonist.

View attachment 3682299

In theory using an aldosterone-antagonist like Eplerenone or Spironolactone should work, but even then there is quite some anecdotal evidence that this doesn't work.



TL;DR: There are only two viable options now:

  • Topical Minoxidil on eyebrows, which also affects your lashes.
  • Oral Minoxidil only in combination with an aldosterone-antagonist.




I hope you learned something new today. :feelsping:

Feel free to AMA.


@halloweed @menas @Zagro @Drugsmaxxer

Another Jonas classic
 
  • +1
  • Love it
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
im about to start taking 2.5mg oral minoxidil ED for eyelash and eyebrow growth. i will run it until i get desired results, i thought i would just get off minoxidil after but i read that results go away,

how long should i run minoxidil after i get desired results to keep the eyelash and eyebrow growth.
or will the minoxidil always go away and i have no choice but to run it for the rest of my life

also thoughts on oral castor oil, heard the results are permanent but idrk
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and loyolaxavvierretard
5 months on oral minox and didnt give me results i wanted to.
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀

View attachment 3682319
The truth about Minoxidil - Part 1



Growing your eyelashes and eyebrows is one of the best and only true softmaxxes.

Because of that, many people choose compounds like Minoxidil to grow hairs in their eye area or even on the scalp.



This thread will reveal why you should be cautious with Minoxidil - And how it could actually harm your looks.



History
Minoxidil was developed for antihypertensive and vasodilative purposes.

View attachment 3682339

Though this use case was later dropped as even the developing scientists figured out that it isn't efficient at what it does.

It's the last resort when it comes to hypertension - Only being used when two agents and/or a diuretic aren't enough.


And not even monotherapy is a valid option. It has to be combined with a loop diuretic either way because of the sodium and potassium retention it causes. :feelskek:

Appeal in PSL-Spaces
The other use case beside hypertension is hair growth.

Unfortunately it's not the best option for stopping scalp hair loss as that is a mainly AR-mediated pathway.

That means it won't prevent any miniaturization of the hair follicle, @chadisbeingmade is going to make a thread covering the topic of 5ARIs.

The other use case is like I mentioned previously, growing the hairs in your eye area.

View attachment 3682266

It's an exaggerated example removing the hair completely obviously, but I hope you can see how important they are.

There are two ways you can grow them via Minoxidil: Topical and Oral.


Topical
Topical Minoxidil is pretty harsh on your eyes, that's why you should only apply it on your eyebrows.

Another thing is that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2 (The active ingredient in Latisse).


Oral
Oral Minoxidil is very effective in growing your eyelashes, but more of that in the biology section.

[Brutal UEE right there, just look at the lashes duh :feelswhat:]
View attachment 3682288




Biology
The unfortunate truth is, if you are using Minoxidil you are going to retain a ton more water and be bloated.

This is primarely mediated by the activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System.

View attachment 3682292

I'll try to keep it short:

  1. Minoxidil vasodilates blood vessels
  2. Activation of RAAS
  3. Aldosterone increase
  4. Sodium, potassium and water retention

In short, this means your Aldosterone skyrockets making you retain a ton more sodium/potassium and consequently more water.

This means it's a big trade off, hair growth or bloat. What do you choose, no water retention or mogger eyelashes?


View attachment 3682392

Conclusion
The only possible solution to solve the bloat is using an aldosterone-antagonist.

View attachment 3682299

In theory using an aldosterone-antagonist like Eplerenone or Spironolactone should work, but even then there is quite some anecdotal evidence that this doesn't work.



TL;DR: There are only two viable options now:

  • Topical Minoxidil on eyebrows, which also affects your lashes.
  • Oral Minoxidil only in combination with an aldosterone-antagonist.




I hope you learned something new today. :feelsping:

Feel free to AMA.


@halloweed @menas @Zagro @Drugsmaxxer

nice tutorial definitely put a lot of time into it you deserve the rep
 
  • +1
  • JFL
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
1745929210049


@chadisbeingmade @halloweed @loyolaxavvierretard @psychomandible @castizo_ascender
 
  • +1
  • Love it
  • Woah
Reactions: rrm_ss2, veggiedietcell, Magnum Opus and 5 others
Congrats on BOTB, well deserved. :feelsokman:
 
  • +1
  • Love it
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Thanks bro. :feelsokman:

Exactly, primarely because topical Minoxidil increases factors like PGE2 (same one in Latisse) like I mentioned in the thread.

So Minoxidil doesn't only "improve bloodflow to the hair follicles causing more nutrients to get to the hair follicle", but it also causes changes in gene expression to cause a better environment for the hair follicle.

Minoxidil increases PGE2.
Oh didn't know that, I avoided lattise because I was afraid to lose upper eyelid fat, but I am using minoxidil for about 1year, fat loss didn't occur? Is it safe for me to take lattise if I didn't get fat loss from minoxidil or lattise has a higher incidence for this side effect to happen?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and loyolaxavvierretard
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and chadisbeingmade
Will it still give bloat on 0 carb carnivore
 
  • +1
  • JFL
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
You answered your own question bud.

@chadisbeingmade
No, but I was asking if it has a higher rate of periorbital fat loss or they situate at the same risk?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and loyolaxavvierretard
And if minoxidil works in a similar way to lattise, why do the gains from minoxidil become terminal, but from lattise are said to never necome terminal?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and loyolaxavvierretard
using topical minox on my brows and the base of my lashes saved my eye area along with using dye for lashes. oral minox will bloat you though, stick to topical imo
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and loyolaxavvierretard
when you say that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2. Does that mean that when you use it on your eyebrow, it is going to cause fat loss in your upper eyelid?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and loyolaxavvierretard
Will the hair on eyebrows fall out after stopping applying?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and loyolaxavvierretard
Another thing is that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2 (The active ingredient in Latisse).
can i do this to get less hooding
 
  • +1
  • JFL
Reactions: rrm_ss2, UtahParentCenterPSL, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and 1 other person
Thank you man, put a lot of effort into this as you can sense. :Comfy:

Can you tag a few more people please, thread's getting no engagement. :smonk:

@R@m@ @Mess @wastedspermcel @vrilmaxxer @You @Quncho atleast leave a comment alr :feelswhat:

View attachment 3682573
mirin thread.
 
Last edited:
  • Love it
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
@Jonas2k7 how much oral minox is recomended 2.5, 5, or 10 daily?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Will it still give bloat on 0 carb carnivore
You bloat through different pathways, carbohydrates just cause one of them.

Might make a big thread on bloating in the future.
No, but I was asking if it has a higher rate of periorbital fat loss or they situate at the same risk?
I already answered your question. Do I fucking need to spoon-feed you information?

Yes, Latisse has a higher risk because it works only through the PGE2 pathway.
And if minoxidil works in a similar way to lattise, why do the gains from minoxidil become terminal, but from lattise are said to never necome terminal?
I never said it works the same, PGE2 is just a part of how Minoxidil works.
using topical minox on my brows and the base of my lashes saved my eye area along with using dye for lashes. oral minox will bloat you though, stick to topical imo
^^
when you say that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2. Does that mean that when you use it on your eyebrow, it is going to cause fat loss in your upper eyelid?
There is no comparative data on it, if you don't want to risk it don't do it. It surely is safer to apply on your eyebrows instead of your eyelashes though.
Will the hair on eyebrows fall out after stopping applying?
Every hair goes through a cycle. Minoxidil lengthens this cycle leading to longer hairs, once you cease the treatment your gains most likely return to baseline. Some users report permanent gains though, I wouldn't count on that.
can i do this to get less hooding
Why would you want to get less hooding in the first place. Show eyes.
@Jonas2k7 how much oral minox is recomended 2.5, 5, or 10 daily?
I'd recommend a dose of 2.5 or 5mg every day, 10mg is too much. Studies mostly use 2.5 and 5mg.

@chadisbeingmade @Snicket @loyolaxavvierretard @Zagro @menas
 
  • +1
  • Love it
Reactions: rrm_ss2, asianslayer, CopeTilliRope and 4 others
You bloat through different pathways, carbohydrates just cause one of them.

Might make a big thread on bloating in the future.

I already answered your question. Do I fucking need to spoon-feed you information?

Yes, Latisse has a higher risk because it works only through the PGE2 pathway.

I never said it works the same, PGE2 is just a part of how Minoxidil works.

^^

There is no comparative data on it, if you don't want to risk it don't do it. It surely is safer to apply on your eyebrows instead of your eyelashes though.

Every hair goes through a cycle. Minoxidil lengthens this cycle leading to longer hairs, once you cease the treatment your gains most likely return to baseline. Some users report permanent gains though, I wouldn't count on that.

Why would you want to get less hooding in the first place. Show eyes.

I'd recommend a dose of 2.5 or 5mg every day, 10mg is too much. Studies mostly use 2.5 and 5mg.

@chadisbeingmade @Snicket @loyolaxavvierretard @Zagro @menas
 
  • +1
  • JFL
Reactions: rrm_ss2, loyolaxavvierretard, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and 1 other person
  • +1
  • Love it
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀, Zagro and 1 other person
  • +1
  • WTF
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and menas

View attachment 3682319
The truth about Minoxidil - Part 1



Growing your eyelashes and eyebrows is one of the best and only true softmaxxes.

Because of that, many people choose compounds like Minoxidil to grow hairs in their eye area or even on the scalp.



This thread will reveal why you should be cautious with Minoxidil - And how it could actually harm your looks.



History
Minoxidil was developed for antihypertensive and vasodilative purposes.

View attachment 3682339

Though this use case was later dropped as even the developing scientists figured out that it isn't efficient at what it does.

It's the last resort when it comes to hypertension - Only being used when two agents and/or a diuretic aren't enough.


And not even monotherapy is a valid option. It has to be combined with a loop diuretic either way because of the sodium and potassium retention it causes. :feelskek:

Appeal in PSL-Spaces
The other use case beside hypertension is hair growth.

Unfortunately it's not the best option for stopping scalp hair loss as that is a mainly AR-mediated pathway.

That means it won't prevent any miniaturization of the hair follicle, @chadisbeingmade is going to make a thread covering the topic of 5ARIs.

The other use case is like I mentioned previously, growing the hairs in your eye area.

View attachment 3682266

It's an exaggerated example removing the hair completely obviously, but I hope you can see how important they are.

There are two ways you can grow them via Minoxidil: Topical and Oral.


Topical
Topical Minoxidil is pretty harsh on your eyes, that's why you should only apply it on your eyebrows.

Another thing is that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2 (The active ingredient in Latisse).


Oral
Oral Minoxidil is very effective in growing your eyelashes, but more of that in the biology section.

[Brutal UEE right there, just look at the lashes duh :feelswhat:]
View attachment 3682288




Biology
The unfortunate truth is, if you are using Minoxidil you are going to retain a ton more water and be bloated.

This is primarely mediated by the activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System.

View attachment 3682292

I'll try to keep it short:

  1. Minoxidil vasodilates blood vessels
  2. Activation of RAAS
  3. Aldosterone increase
  4. Sodium, potassium and water retention

In short, this means your Aldosterone skyrockets making you retain a ton more sodium/potassium and consequently more water.

This means it's a big trade off, hair growth or bloat. What do you choose, no water retention or mogger eyelashes?


View attachment 3682392

Conclusion
The only possible solution to solve the bloat is using an aldosterone-antagonist.

View attachment 3682299

In theory using an aldosterone-antagonist like Eplerenone or Spironolactone should work, but even then there is quite some anecdotal evidence that this doesn't work.



TL;DR: There are only two viable options now:

  • Topical Minoxidil on eyebrows, which also affects your lashes.
  • Oral Minoxidil only in combination with an aldosterone-antagonist.




I hope you learned something new today. :feelsping:

Feel free to AMA.


@halloweed @menas @Zagro @Drugsmaxxer

bhai finally got botb, congrats:p
 
  • +1
  • Love it
Reactions: rrm_ss2, menas, Zagro and 1 other person
  • +1
  • So Sad
  • Woah
Reactions: rrm_ss2, childishkillah, kazama and 4 others
  • +1
  • JFL
  • Woah
Reactions: rrm_ss2, childishkillah, kazama and 4 others
  • +1
  • JFL
  • So Sad
Reactions: rrm_ss2, kazama, xnj and 2 others
There is no comparative data on it, if you don't want to risk it don't do it. It surely is safer to apply on your eyebrows instead of your eyelashes though.
shit then, my UEE is already in rough shape, so I'm hesitant to use anything that might make it worse. On the other hand, my eyebrows need more length and density. Personally,
I’ve never seen any after photos of people using minoxidil on their eyebrows who had worse UEE. So, what are your thoughts about it?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and kazama
how much were you taking?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
Yeah this is why I stopped using oral minoxidil. At the time I stopped I was the leanest I’ve ever been yet my face still looked fatter and puffier compared to pictures from before I started taking it.
how much were you taking?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
shit, great effort. But I'll read it carefully, I ended up crying in the middle of this Jfl:feelswah::feelswah: either I live extremely bloat or I acquire it uee, fuck :feelswah::feelswah: this made me feel worse knowing that Im not 6'3 there are no solutions not even for my eyebrows :feelswah::feelswah:
family guy GIF
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
If I take minoxidil until I’m happy with the length and density of my eyelashes, then stop taking, will the hairs stay?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
i do not regret my decision at all, tho it kinda affected my leanmaxxing cuz i was debloated in my face i no longer wanted to lose fat but that aside i will never use minox again
Oh holy shit, you're right, I just noticed now when I looked at old photos

I looked definitely more bloated despite having 8 kg less, but tbh the gains on my eyebrows were a big halo


Did you use topical or oral?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀ and albanianblackguy
Oh holy shit, you're right, I just noticed now when I looked at old photos

I looked definitely more bloated despite having 8 kg less, but tbh the gains on my eyebrows were a big halo


Did you use topical or oral?
It’s the same with me. He used topical iirc I used oral. I quit and it went away in like a month or 2.
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, BoredPrince and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
I already answered your question. Do I fucking need to spoon-feed you information?
You're on looksmax.org bro, ofc people need/expect to be spoonfed information here
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2 and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
So both methods of minoxidil increases water retention? Not sure if it’s worth the bloat, my eyebrows are a little frail tho
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
It’s the same with me. He used topical iirc I used oral. I quit and it went away in like a month or 2.
Yeah I was thinking about oral but topical was effective enough and besides I heard that oral increases body hair too

Did you keep your gains after stopping?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, Jonasㅤㅤ⠀, chadisbeingmade and 1 other person
Obviously yeah. MSM, 1-2ml castor oil orally every day, any oil topically and some other methods.
What do you mean by orally? isn’t that a laxative? Also to summarize what you’re saying topical min=fat loss oral min=bloat right?
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
Oh holy shit, you're right, I just noticed now when I looked at old photos

I looked definitely more bloated despite having 8 kg less, but tbh the gains on my eyebrows were a big halo


Did you use topical or oral?
Yeah I was thinking about oral but topical was effective enough and besides I heard that oral increases body hair too

Did you keep your gains after stopping?
i used tropical as he said, my brows became less dense now but i still kept some of my gains for some reason tho i think he lost all minox gains, i was so annoyed because i was approaching low bf but my face was still not as chiseled as it should be, i once had some skin irritation while using minox so i had to stop for like a week or two something like that and it just clicked that i mogged unusually hard at that time
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, BoredPrince and Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Topical

Another thing is that Minoxidil can cause fat loss in your upper eyelid as Minoxidil stimulates factors like PGE2 (The active ingredient in Latisse).

"Minoxidil is not a PGF2α analog.

Minoxidil is a distinct chemical compound with a different mechanism of action compared to PGF2α analogs like bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost."

Basic fucking google search
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
Yeah I was thinking about oral but topical was effective enough and besides I heard that oral increases body hair too

Did you keep your gains after stopping?
Pretty sure my body hair returned to normal after discontinuing, or only a slight increase.

Yes I retained my gains, but I also used for almost 2 years (I didn’t notice the bloat until I looked back like you said).
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2, RecessedCel5, BoredPrince and 1 other person

Stop squinting, then you'll realize you don't need less hooding.
If I take minoxidil until I’m happy with the length and density of my eyelashes, then stop taking, will the hairs stay?
The hairs most likely return to baseline as the growth cycle shortens. Like I already said, some people though experience permanent gains.
So both methods of minoxidil increases water retention? Not sure if it’s worth the bloat, my eyebrows are a little frail tho
Oral Minoxidil increases water retention more significantly.
Also to summarize what you’re saying topical min=fat loss oral min=bloat right?
^^
"Minoxidil is not a PGF2α analog.

Minoxidil is a distinct chemical compound with a different mechanism of action compared to PGF2α analogs like bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost."

Basic fucking google search
GTFO with this bullshit. I never claimed it's a PGF2a analogue, it increases PGE2. I even cited a study for this claim, go learn reading.

Pretty sure my body hair returned to normal after discontinuing, or only a slight increase.

Yes I retained my gains, but I also used for almost 2 years (I didn’t notice the bloat until I looked back like you said).
^^
 
  • +1
Reactions: yex, rrm_ss2, BoredPrince and 1 other person
Dnr im blasting oral minoxidil to grow hair cause im a baldcel
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2
How much did u and @chadisbeingmade take that caused yg to bloat on minox?
I might take 2.5 mg and see how I react
 
  • +1
Reactions: rrm_ss2

Similar threads

Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Replies
90
Views
6K
Keylozz
Keylozz
chadisbeingmade
Replies
257
Views
8K
DDA is cool
D
chadisbeingmade
Replies
139
Views
5K
soyjack
soyjack
D
Replies
110
Views
8K
iblamexyz
iblamexyz
Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Replies
120
Views
8K
Jonasㅤㅤ⠀
Jonasㅤㅤ⠀

Users who are viewing this thread

  • lilvro
  • kr1n470
  • dawgathon
  • Kazura_
  • jakeissub3
  • clpzdev
  • Simão
  • sigmajom420
  • caveman5261
Back
Top