Severe Scalp Reaction to Multiple Minoxidil Formulations, Need Alternatives

General Basic Questions
1

My hair is thinning and my hairline is receding.

I’ve tried three different formulations and each one has been so aggressively bad - intense itchiness (waking up in the night itching), extremely dry (scratches off like dandruff), and sore. Each time I tried the formulation for 1-2 weeks, and then tried to move to a formulation that is meant to be better on the scalp. Nothing is working. Worst of all, after trialling for 1-2 weeks, the itchiness and dryness sticks around for 2 months.

I want recommendations on what to do/try next. I don’t want to take finasteride if I can avoid it as my thinning isn’t severe yet.

(Context on what I tried:

  1. I tried an alcohol based 5% minoxidil spray (from “Manual”) and it was irritating my scalp a bit so I stopped for 6 months.
  2. I then tried a serum (from “hims”) that contained Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, and a bunch of other ingredients. I used it for a week. The itching and dryness was so intense and continued for 2 months.
  3. Once my scalp had recovered I tried Rogaine foam which I saw many of you had previously recommended for sensitive scalps. Same story as number 2.)

I have no history of dandruff or sensitive skin (although I do have dry skin in general on my body)

Please help!

2

You might try an anti-fungal, some of that “dryness” could be seb derm. Nizoral, CBD with MCT, and so on.

There are propylene-glycol-free formulations but most have ethanol and glycerin.

You may also consider oral minoxidil as a last resort.

3

I had that same issue with kirland liquid minox, my scalp started getting super itchy at around the 2 months mark too. it was unbearable to the point I couldnt sleep either. I found out I was allergic to Propylene Glycol, so I went and bought kirkland foam version and I was good.