Minoxidil really works — 4 months of 5% topical fixed my crown
I’d been losing hair for about two years. Four months on 5% topical minoxidil (Alogain 5 in Japan) finally filled in my crown. Personal experience only—talk to your doctor and watch for side effects.
Crown recovered in 4 months
Started in August; by month three I thought “is this getting thicker?” and at month four I was sure. The crown flattening and sparse swirl both reversed.
Before minoxidil, hair around the whorl was thin and soft, and the crown looked split. If you wonder whether it’s thinning or just “a cowlick,” see my checklist:
On the left side of the photo the strands were softer and finer; after four months the roots stand up again.
I wasted a year before using minoxidil
I noticed thinning two years ago, tried to choose a product, but pricey options (¥5,000–9,000) felt risky and cheap tonics felt unproven. I spent months on “scalp circulation” lotions and shampoos—those are maintenance, not regrowth—so progress stalled and a year slipped by.
Initial shedding happens — here’s what to expect
Around month two my shedding spiked. I knew “initial shed means it’s working,” but it’s still unnerving.
The hairs that fall are resting-phase, weaker hairs being pushed out. My experience and general guidance:
- Shedding spike: roughly 2–6 weeks in, then tapers.
- Keep going unless you get strong irritation, burning, or swelling—then stop and see a dermatologist.
- If it just itches or reddens a bit, many people switch vehicle (foam vs liquid) or adjust application area.
When does it start growing back?
By month three my post-shower shed halved; by month four the scalp show-through shrank and the crown gained volume. Clinical guidance doses twice daily; I got lazier later, but if you want faster certainty, stick to morning and night.
Minoxidil = attack magic against hair loss
Medical-grade evidence backs topical minoxidil. Trials (~4–12 months) show about +20 hairs per cm². That’s often enough to make the scalp less visible. Side effects exist (itching, redness), but I personally had none.
Finasteride/Dutasteride = defensive magic
These calm the hair-cycle shortening driven by DHT. I didn’t need them, but if you’re shedding a lot, clinics often combine them with minoxidil. Prescription only; consult a doctor.
How I apply Alogain (5% liquid)
The bottle has a metered nozzle: twist upside down to load one dose, tap the tip on the scalp, done in ~30 seconds. It slightly stiffens nearby roots; no smell, no cooling feel.
Cost and product choices
At the time of writing in Japan, Alogain 5 (60 mL) was about ¥3,600—one month at 1 mL twice daily. In the U.S., generic 5% minoxidil runs roughly $20–30 per month. All 5% solutions work similarly; price differences are mostly branding and additives.
I’ll likely switch to a cheaper house brand once I’m just maintaining. If you need a U.S.-available option, search “5% minoxidil topical” and pick a trusted brand.
Takeaways
Minoxidil works, but expect an initial shed and give it at least four months. If you’re anxious or have side effects, loop in a clinic or dermatologist early. For more on the “attack vs defense” meds, see below.
