u/Logical_Manner6720

I kept reading about how the Anessa skincare milk was a Holy Grail for so many. Specifically looked for black and brown content creators applying it on camera and they kept saying "no white cast," . I excitedly got one for myself, directly from Japan no less.

And..... white cast!!! I used just under a 1/4 teaspoon amount.

Doesn't go away after drying down either.

Such a pity cos the texture and feel is lovely.

Quick intro - I'm 42. Had luscious hair in my teens and 20s, didn't notice the thinning and texture changes much in my early 30s, was busy getting married and having a baby. Suddenly around 35 realised the balding wasn't in one spot, it was now everywhere and I could see my scalp whichever way I tried to wear it. I've always been a DIY girl and I don't have hair loss specialist derms where I live. They just prescribed the oral meds and told me to also stick with topical minox. But they had little sympathy for lifestyle concerns, barely addressed my nutrition levels and shrugged about my texture. So this journey has been about waking up my follicles and rediscovering confidence and hope. Over the past year, I’ve combined topical and oral minoxidil, spironolactone, scalp serums, supplements (iron, multivitamins, vitamin D, saw palmetto, and more), scalp oiling, microneedling, and texture care with the Abbey Yung method and K18. I’m still shedding—and I know there’s more to figure out—but I’ve come a long way. I haven’t tried PRP or red light therapy yet, but they’re on my horizon. I hope this shows that even without big interventions, progress—and newfound confidence—is possible.

* 5% minoxidil: First 6 months with foam daily; last 6 months with liquid applicator for easier coverage

* Oral medications: 1.25 mg oral minoxidil and 75 mg spironolactone, last 9 months.

* Serums: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Density Hair Serum helped with growth. Used Ruhte serum for 2-3 months but stopped cos too expensive and then experienced lots of shedding afterward :(

* Aminexil serum: Alternating between a cheaper L'Oréal version and a more expensive Dercos one now been 4 months.

* Weekly microneedling before minoxidil application.

Regular scalp massage whenever remembered.

* Abbey Yung method for texture: Deep conditioning masks. Including k18 even though I don't have bleach damage

* Scalp oiling pre-wash: Rosemary-based oil on scalp, OGX coconut oil on lengths.

* Non-negotiable hair wash every other day; extra washes on sweaty days with hydrating shampoo/conditioner.

* Supplements: Iron (for low transferrin), multivitamin, vitamin D, beef liver weekly, probiotic, Apotecari Mane Event supplement (last 6-9 months), saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, coq10

* Past experiments: Tried tretinoin before minoxidil but found it too sticky, discontinued.

Ongoing shedding: I still have lots of shedding, maybe just 4months of lighter shedding happened in the middle of the past year. possibly linked to some weight loss I've had but also androgenic activity , I high SHBG and Hashimotos . No finasteride yet, but considering options.