Hi all,

I'm pretty new here so I haven't read all the posts, but I was wondering if any of you have run into the problem of using minoxidil with a concealer?

Usually, I make sure to put on minoxidil BEFORE any concealer, but sometimes, I just don't have the option of washing it out before. So sometimes I just skip one dose, and sometiems I put it on top - does anyone know if this is bad? Or if it won't work at all if you do it like this?

I have a lot of difficulty sometimes because whenver I'm not at home - say visiting my girlfriend or something (who has no idea about my problem), when I take a shower, I have to make sure I have my hairdryer, then dry my hair, then put in minoxidil, then dry again, then put in toppik, and then fiber hold...obviously this takes a bit and I'm sure she's wondering what the hell I'm doing.

Do you guys have any advice as to other methods of accomplishing the same thing? Or perhaps other concealers that can withstand a shower or something?

Thanks!

I've run into the conundrum of trying to apply concealers and minoxidil around the same time and, to tell you the truth, I gave up.

Now when I get up in the morning, I sprinkle on some Toppik and go about my day. Once I am home for the day, I wash it out and apply minoxidil. Four hours later (or right before bed) I put on another application of minoxidil. This may not be quite as good as spacing them 12 hours apart, but it is much better than fighting the minoxidil in trying to make my hair look good, applying only once a day, or not applying minoxidil at all.

I have been doing this for about a year now with no adverse effects so far. Of course, on days I am just hanging out at the house I will space the applications as close to 12 hours apart as possible.

-Robert

Thanks for the info, that makes sense.

I have a follow-up question about toppik after reading one of your previous posts on it (I think it's pretty old though so you might not rememeber). You mentioned that with toppik, it should cling to the hair, and NOT land on the scalp. While I can't really remember how it was when I originally started using it, nowadays when I use the toppik, i think MOST of it goes on the scalp (i.e., if I scratch my head, i get a patch of white and a fingernail full of toppik...so I can't scratch my head). It doesn't look weird at all, and in fact, I think it helps, but is it bad to have toppik on the scalp like this? Is there anyway to make sure it sticks to the hair more? I use the fiber-hold, but that comes after...

Thanks!

You're inevitably going to get some on the scalp. I have the same problem with scratching my head too (I'll actually use a pen to scratch my head sometimes ). I think a way to limit the amount that gets on the scalp would be to make sure your hair is as "puffy" as possible (I can't think of a better term) by blow-drying it or vigorously towel-drying it right after a shower. If the hair is matted down, the effect is not near what it could be.

-Robert

Robert, I TOTALLY agree. I prefer to use the edge of a paper clip, and press down in spots instead of big scratches.
As for puffiness, I tried this out today: instead of blowing my hair straight up, like I usually do, I left it matted down, and I didnt' get as much on the scalp, but it looked a little funny. Like not see through, but the scalp looked thinning from the front. hard to describe. Anyway, thanks for your input! They shoudl make a scratch-resistant toppik.

Hey guys,
I've been using Toppik for four years now. Depending on how thin your hair is in that area, the more/less will land on your scalp. Yes, Toppik is not good if you need to scratch your scalp often (or if anyone touches your hair...as the fiber falls out). I wanted to mention to "jonjon" that the blowdryer could be drying out your scalp...making it more itchy.

Also, when you wash your hair, switch the water to be cooler...as hot water can also dry out your scalp. Don't be mislead...I take hot showers...but only let cool water run on my scalp.

For me, when it is not possible to apply concealer each and every day, therefore leaving it in over night, results in the use of Minoxidil as impossible. Unfortunately, for this reason I do not use it anymore. Any concealer directly on the scalp is obviously bad, but also I feel, unavoidable, especially when you are attempting it on a faily progressed pattern (nice way of saying balding head)! I wonder why I hate the word bald so much???