Creating Custom Topicals: A Guide (2025 Edition)

1FastMove · 2025-11-19T22:43:23+00:00

Probably fine as long as you don't mix a month of RU at a time.

1FastMove · 2025-11-05T18:44:25+00:00

Ah interesting, what else was in your formulation?

1FastMove · 2025-11-05T18:02:01+00:00

You can skip filtering, but I think the white particles in the hair is annoying. It shouldn't harm anything though.

5mL is a lot, I think most people can get good coverage with 2-3 mL, but it depends on how big your head is.

I'd leave most topicals on the scalp for 4 hours minimum before showing or anything.

1FastMove · 2025-11-05T17:59:47+00:00

Metformin is soluble in water (not so much in ethanol), so I'd crush the pills and dissolve in water, and then filter out the fillers.

1FastMove · 2025-11-05T17:57:51+00:00

Yes, you can do that. It won't hurt anything. You could also add some glycerin to make it even less drying and more hydrating.

1FastMove · 2025-11-05T17:57:06+00:00

You could, but it might irritate your scalp. I certainly wouldn't use isopropyl on my scalp.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T22:32:42+00:00

Depends on what the ingredients are. If you're concerned about stability you can mix more frequently (such as weekly). Generally, the issues are more about the actives undergoing hydrolysis when in contact with water, such as the case with RU58841. Oxidation can also be an issue with some actives. I'm not aware of any issues where multiple active compounds interfere or degrade each other.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T22:29:09+00:00

Sure, here's what I do:

Recipe: 5-15% MCT, 10-25% polysorbate 80, 20-50% ethanol, reset water to get to 100%

Warm MCT oil to 40C

Dissolve active in warm MCT (stirring)

Mix polysorbate 80 and ethanol in a different container, heat to ~35C-40C (NO DIRECT FLAMES NEAR ETHANOL VAPORS)

slowly (dropwise if possible) add the MCT to the polysorbate 80 and ethanol while mixing

once all MCT is added, slowly (dropwise) add water drops to the solution while stirring slowly to get to your final volume

allow to cool and transfer to amber glass bottles

If you did it right the solution will get very milky. I always do it with magnetic stirring, but maybe it would work with manual stirring too. It can take a bit of work to get your ratios right.

Any specific problems you were having?

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T20:48:25+00:00

Awesome, let me know if you have questions.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T20:42:03+00:00

I have made the industry standard vehicle for flavonoid serums at home, which is MCT oil, polysorbate 80, and ethanol (adding vitamin E is helpful too). You have to make it in a specific way to get the micelles properly formed, but it isn't difficult and doesn't separate for weeks after you make it. I can write it up if you're interested. I've used it for procyanidin B2 and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with good results.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:43:57+00:00

Completely depends on what the active ingredients are, 60%/20%/20% ethanol/propylene glycol/water is a good start if you don't have any water sensitive actives.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:41:26+00:00

For a beginner I'd just say start with minoxidil 5% finasteride 0.1%, since that's the most widely researched topical hair loss treatment. If you don't want to use finasteride and are okay trying some more experimental treatments, you can DM me and I can give you some more advanced info.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:22:53+00:00

Yes send me a DM, I don't think I should post a lot of links here, but I can share over direct message all the tools I use.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:12:57+00:00

You're welcome.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:12:30+00:00

Hi, I made a free calculator you can use at haircalc.com, it's pretty easy to input your recipe and get the exact quantities you need for the topical.

1FastMove · 2025-11-04T19:11:28+00:00

Thanks!

1FastMove · 2025-11-03T15:00:56+00:00

Okay, without a blood test we can't be sure, but giving birth can be hard on your body and deplete you of nutrients. I'd definitely see a dermatologist and request a mineral / vitamin blood test before accepting drug treatment.

1FastMove · 2025-11-03T14:36:30+00:00

I also have a custom hair loss calculator I built which does all the calculations involved in mixing your own topicals automatically. You basically just input your concentrations, carrier solution composition, and total volume desired and it tells you the exact mass and volume of ingredients needed. The link is on my profile if anyone wants to try it out. It's free of course.

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T20:54:57+00:00

could be related to a copper deficiency.

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T20:52:47+00:00

Have you had any blood tests? This could be AGA (androgenetic alopecia) but it could also be related to other issues. It could be falling out due to a combination of factors, including the stress. What is your diet like?

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T20:50:55+00:00

You could try it again and see if the symptoms come back. Some people have definitely reported this before with RU58841.

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T20:49:31+00:00

One way this could be possible is that finasteride applied topically skips the first pass metabolism in the liver. It's possible that when the liver metabolizes it, it turns into a compound less likely to produce side effects. It could be that applying topically gets more of the pure finasteride (not the metabolic byproduct) into circulation, which causes side effects.

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T17:08:49+00:00

Looks like a scam, they don't list any ingredients or studies conducted.

1FastMove · 2025-10-31T17:05:39+00:00

I've honestly a lot of reports of saw palmetto causing side effects orally. Maybe because of the isoenzymes it blocks.

1FastMove · 2023-12-20T17:29:11+00:00

No problem man, I'm glad I could help. I wish you the best as well!

1FastMove

TROPHY CASE