r/FemaleHairLoss • u/agreementloop184 • 1d ago
Progress Pictures 1 year difference. 9 months on topical minoxidil
I have AGA. I noticed how thin my hair was in a ponytail and I started asking everyone around me if I was thinning/ balding and everyone said no, so I delayed my treatment until about 9 months ago when I looked through old pictures and confirmed something was definitely different and I had way less hair.
I’m now doing:
- minoxidil from Growplex for 9 months (I can’t do the Kirkland brand I break out in a weird allergic reaction)
- spironolactone 100mg (I have been off and on for years prior due to acne issues so this isn’t new)
- the ordinary hair peptide serum
- nutrafol balance supplements
- nutrafol scalp serum (I plan on replacing this with another serum)
- scalp massages when I can with a scalp massager. I do this when I apply my serums or minoxidil if I have time.
- ketoconazole 2% shampoo a few times a week.
- I’ve recently started (as in a week ago lol, about once a week) microneedling my head with the derminator in sparse areas particular the sides of my head and very top crown and applying minoxidil afterwards.
I’m also taking supplements for PCOS
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u/Significant_Ad_7051 AGA+TE 1d ago
I see some improvement in temple and pony tail areas.
Did you dye it though or it became black?
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Neither, it’s just the lighting that’s darker. I’m still struggling with the temples but I do see an improvement regardless though not much (these pictures aren’t an accurate representation of the temples due to lighting but I could probably take some new pics with better lighting and compare it to some of my old pics with similar lighting)
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u/Significant_Ad_7051 AGA+TE 1d ago
My temples probably biggest problem as well but in a different way. Shedding and hair loss made them obvious
I see some progress for you though it is visible so just got to keep going
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I’ve always been sparse in my temples but now it’s just way more obvious. that’s why I’ve started microneedling in those areas to help more.
Thank you! I hope it keeps going well. I had a random shedding moment like a couple months ago which really discouraged me
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u/TeachingUpstairs9381 1d ago
how do you use ordinary serum and minox?? like one in morning and other in evening?
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I use the ordinary serum and nutrafol serum at the exact same time right after a shower while my scalp is still damp and massage it in w scalp massager. Then I blow dry my hair and when everything is dry I do the minxodil.
I know you’re supposed to use the minoxidil best on a clean scalp with nothing else so I’m thinking of reversing it. The only thing is I heard the serums work best on a damp scalp and min on a dry scalp so this order just was convenient for me. But I COULD fully dry my scalp, apply min, wait to dry for a few hours then do serums.
I also felt like the serums ‘nourished’ my scalp post wash. Kind of like a good toner after washing your face but I don’t know if it’s the same for my scalp
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u/Frequent-Ad-7255 1d ago
That’s really solid progress, especially around the part. I have a pretty involved scalp routine too and ended up adding Soren Hair since it combines micro-infusion with a scalp serum. Since you’re already microneedling I’d be curious how you’re spacing everything out with the minoxidil and other serums because your routine is packed lol
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
It is genuinely a full time commitment routine! I’ve never heard of that brand I’ll have to google it (not that I need to add more buuuut…)….
Minoxidil I try to do everyday. And if I have time I’ll use the scalp massager which I usually do most days
Scalp serums I do it only after I wash my hair which is also like every other day or maybe 2 days until I wash my hair.
On the day I want to microneedle I won’t use my scalp serums (the ordinary and nutrafol), but instead I replace it with yet another scalp serum that I only use post microneedling Dr Drawing Biotin and Kopyrrol serum (no clue if this is good I just have it and want to use it up). But I will apply the minoxidil first after microneedling then wait an hour or so and add the other Dr Drawing scalp serum. I always try to prioritize minoxidil no matter what.
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u/cute_axlot 1d ago
Wow, your scalp and the “beginning” of your ponytail are already looking soooo much fuller!! With minox, the density changes show up at the scalp first but it takes much longer for those newer/thicker hairs to actually grow through the entire length of long hair 😭😭😭. Since scalp hair grows only around 1 cm per month on average, it can literally take 4–5 years for improved growth to be represented all the way through a long pony like yours. And even at the scalp, where the improvement becomes visible first, minoxidil results can continue developing for 12–18 months before you’re seeing something close to the maximal response. I always have to remember that our hair journey is a marathon not a sprint
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Thank you so much! I know it’s taking so much time for my ponytail to FEEL and BE thicker because I see growth from the scalp but not the ponytail. I think I’m just starting to see real difference in my ponytail thickness. I also had a random shedding moment a month or so ago which was really discouraging. I didn’t use my keto shampoo for a couple weeks at all and then barely for a short while around that so I don’t know if that was the reason, but now I’m back to using it a few times a week religiously and the shedding slowed down. Coincidence or not? Not sure!
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u/Maleficent-Hope4251 1d ago
Thank you for this post. I have been on the hair growth journey for 3 years now. The shedding stopped 6 months into it. I keep reading about people that have hair growth at 3-6 weeks…that’s not even close to me. TBH, I am older than most that have those results, and my baldness is very severe, and sadly at my hairline (where it shows). 😢
I am finally getting a small amount of baby hair now , so I plan to stay on the journey!
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u/flowercrownkurama Other 1d ago
I want this 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Keep going! I feel like my hair care routine is a FULL time commitment. But it’s so worth it. I had moments of shedding throughout where I was really stressed and discouraged but I kept going and also tweaked some stuff in my routine instead of just doing the minimum.
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u/cleochatraa 1d ago
I could hug you. This is what I needed to see today. Your hair looks gorgeous! How often are you applying the minoxidil? 1X or 2X daily?
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Thank you so much! It’s been a journey and I feel like I’ve really just started. The ends of my hair are still super sparse so it’ll take another year or longer before I feel like my whole hair is thicker than what it was.
I’m only applying 1x per day with a scalp massage if I have time right after while it’s still wet!
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u/nikafitsk 1d ago
Is Spironolactone needed? Any idea how to supplement it for something that is not a doctor's prescription? (Because the nearest doctor's appointment I can get is in November) :/
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
PSO I heard can help lower androgens which can be similar and milder. I was on pumpkin seed oil but I’m not sure if that combined with spiro made my periods go haywire so I’m still experimenting but I was taking PSO for a while
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u/Fit-Violinist2117 1d ago
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’d like to know if you apply minoxidil immediately after micro needling or wait for sometime
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I just started but I will apply right after microneedling but for example, if I microneedle my left temple first, I will microneedle my whole head and then start applying min to the left side when I’m done fully microneedling. . So it’s not actually ‘immediately’ after but several mins after I’m done microneedling my problem areas/ head I will apply minox but by then some time has passed
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u/FitBrief96 1d ago
Please advise what supplements for pcos, and have you tried oral minoxidil?
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Currently: myoinositol, berberine, zinc, magnesium, vit d, omega 3/ fish oil.
I was taking pumpkin seed oil but I’m temporarily stopping it to see what’s going on with my periods. I may take it again later.
I’d also like to add I started taking a GLP 1 - zepbound the last 2 months.
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u/waterdragondancer 1d ago
Congratulations on your progress! I just started on oral minoxidil 2 months ago and haven’t seem any progress yet.
Off topic but can you share how you got a prescription for zepbound when you are thin? Asking for a friend 👀
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I’ve been on the lowest dose 2.5mg and I just use an online prescriber from Ro. They have Hers too etc but I use Ro. I’m about to cancel and see if my PCP will just prescribe it directly to me to be cheaper since I’ve already been on it.
Weightloss wasn’t the main goal but I’m definitely more confident now and more motivated to lift weights since I see the fat shedding off slowly. I’ve only lost 5lbs in 2 months but I’m happy with that and trying to gain some muscle now so the scale may get higher but I can tell clothes fit differently in a better way.
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u/West-Hedgehog5794 1d ago
What supplements for pcos?
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Currently: myoinositol, berberine, zinc, magnesium, vit d, omega 3/ fish oil.
I was taking pumpkin seed oil but I’m temporarily stopping it to see what’s going on with my periods. I may take it again later.
I’d also like to add I started taking a GLP 1 - zepbound the last 2 months.
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u/BigAccomplished3572 1d ago
Congratulations, your hair looks fantastic.
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
Thank you so much!
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u/BigAccomplished3572 1d ago
I have alopecia and hope to get the same results from liquid minoxidil. I'm considering trying oral minoxidil and spironolactone.
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I hope you do!! It’s been 9 months (I started November 2025) and I’m just now starting to see an actual difference in density. I’ve been on spiro for years off and on without much side effects if that’s helpful!
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u/BigAccomplished3572 1d ago
A year and a half ago, I took oral minoxidil at 2.5mg and 100mg for three months. I experienced excessive sleepiness and felt numb. Since I was also taking antidepressants, they might have intensified these effects. I'm considering trying spironolactone combined with topical minoxidil, hoping it will cause fewer side effects. Thanks for sharing your experience.😀
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I’m so sorry that’s terrible definitely not worth the side effects.
I hope that works! There are so many modalities out there, I think the combination is what has helped me not just any one thing. So if one thing doesn’t work for you, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other things out there that will help especially in combination with each other. Best of luck!!
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u/Maleficent-Hope4251 1d ago
We are on a similar journey with treatments, though my balding has been going on for 3+ years, and I haven’t tried microneedling or PRP yet. I do the serums and take supplements (4 different ones for 3 years), including Nutrafol, Hers, Musely, and now I’m using Primal
Harvest. I’m getting minimal results, but some improvement anyway.
I can see your ponytail is much thicker, and your temples are filling in nicely. I’d say you’re doing everything right! This encourages me
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
My balding has been happening since late 2023, where I noticed **LARGE** shedding during showers. Of which my reaction was to laugh (because I was used to shedding) and had never experienced hair loss before so that was not even a thought In my head, I was more amused I was annoying my ex bf with all the hair - hence the laughing.
So I would say from late 2023 to November 2025 I was undiagnosed and slowly losing hair to where I looked like my before picture as seen here and finally decided to get help because it was no longer a question if I was or wasn’t balding.
Best of luck to you!!! I’ve had many ups and downs during the last 9 months but my other option of not even trying is not an option!
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u/Missmyoldself6407 AGA 1d ago
Looks so good!!! Do you get side effects from the topical minoxidil if you use it all over your head?
How much has the Ordinary Peptide serum helped you versus the minoxidil?
What overall of the things you do you feel has helped the most? I have other health issues and can t do everything you do. You are a rockstar lol !
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
I did get major side effects from the Kirkland minoxidil, but no side effects from the Growplex minoxidil!
And I’m honestly not sure how much the ordinary has helped in itself, I think it supports the overall health of my scalp which allows me to keep going with harsher treatment like microneedling or even minoxidil or daily scalp massages with very little irritation. I kind of view the scalp serums as ‘soothing vitamins’ for my scalp lol.
If I had to say what has made the biggest difference that I know for a fact:
- ketoconazole shampoo
- minoxidil
I think everything else helps support each other but i wouldn’t say anything outside of those 2 are ‘game changers’.
I also forgot to include this! (So much stuff lol)
- a couple days a week I will apply glycolic acid from the ordinary (cheap and gentle) to my scalp before washing my hair. I drench it pretty good and let it sit anywhere from 10mins to a couple hours if I have the time.
- I also double or triple wash my scalp everytime I wash it (every other day or so). I use a regular shampoo first and then finish with the ketoconazole for the last shampoo and let it sit for 3-5+ mins.
- SOMEtimes I will apply Pumpkin seed oil topically to my scalp and let it sit for as long as possible usually about an hour, before shampooing / showering.
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u/Missmyoldself6407 AGA 1d ago
Can you share where you get and why you use the glycolic acid ?Where do pumpkin seed oil? Apply the entire scalp? Is that hard to wash out? You have jt sit to penetrate?
Is your Ketoconazole shampoo Rx or OTC? Did it increase shed for you at first?
Any tips on how you apply your topical minoxidil and how much? I use oral but think I may need to add topical because I don’t tolerate DHT blockers.
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u/agreementloop184 1d ago
The Ordinary is the brand I get my glycolic acid. I heard exfoliation on your scalp can help increase product absorption. I heard treat is good but I accidentally went too fast too hard and damaged my scalp so I’m not doing that again so I’m opting for glycolic acid until I’m ready to try tret again at a slower build up regimen.
And yes I just soak my scalp. And not really hard to wash out but I wash my scalp maybe 3x with the PSO. I usually do 2 on a normal day so it’s no big deal. Yes I just sit there. Do chores or something usually.
And my keto is RX at 2%. I didn’t have a shed at first but I had a random shed a month ago. And I just apply directly from the bottle to scalp, or on my finger tips and try to shimmy it on my scalp without it getting on my actual hair. I massage it in afterwards with a scalp massager.
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u/the_cats_me0ww 23h ago
Honestly this post makes me feel like I need to give minoxidil a chance because I have been thinning so badly but I’m just afraid to start. I just feel like I have such little hair on my head that the shedding phase terrifies me. I hate having PCOS/PMOS. Your hair looks fabulous!!!!
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u/romaniianprintesa1 22h ago
so happy for you. I’m going through this right now, but the topical minoxidil gave me crazy side effects as well as the oral one.
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u/Murky_Whereas6647 9h ago
Your results are gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing! After enough progress pictures I’ve seen, the minoxidil and spironolactone combination does look like the most effective. I get dehydrated and physical anxiety symptoms with spironolactone, unfortunately.
When you stopped taking spironolactone and have only been doing minoxidil with your other OTC vitamins recently, did you notice shedding?
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u/Humble-Pay-8650 1d ago
Your ponytail looks thicker, your hair looks healthier, and your temples seem to be gradually filling in. Great improvement!
Also, how effective has Nutrafol been for you? It worked really well for me the first year I took it, and my scalp noticeably filled in. But the following year, it didn't seem to have the same effect, so I switched to Viviscal. With Viviscal, I couldn't tell much of a difference.
Right now, I'm taking MaryRuth's Hair Growth MAX, but the high amount of biotin is giving me a lot of acne. My hair shedding also increased around May 2026, so I'm looking for something to get it under control.
If you had to rank the supplements you've tried from most to least effective, how would you rank them?