Minoxidil in China

[xiaojiang216]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone might know if minoxidil is available for purchase in China.

Minoxidil (perhaps most popularly marketed under the pricey brand name Rogaine) is known to slow or stop hair loss and promote regrowth.

I'm sad to say that as a 23-year-old, my hairline is already receding quite rapidly. (Anyone else here?) I will be starting a job in China for a year or more and am wondering if I will need to stock up on minoxidil or not.

Thanks for your help!

[abcdefg]

I have not tried to buy it, but a quick on-line search looks like it is available in China. The Chinese generic name is 米诺地尔 and it seems that it does not require a prescription. I don't see the price listed here, though you can probably find that on another website.

http://www.xywy.com/...hu-sibishen.htm

Probably still best to take along enough of a supply to last until you have time to locate it in China. Furthermore, though I don't know for sure, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a medication which is more readily available in a first-tier city than in a small town deep in the interior.

[anonymoose]

Does it actually work? As I understand it, it is not meant for use for a receding hairline, but for thinning on top.

[xiaojiang216]

Thank you both for your replies!

@abcdefg - Thanks for the find! I definitely need to do some researching on the Internet, but was wondering if anyone on this forum might be using it.

@anonymoose - That's a good question. I actually asked my dermatologist the same thing. She said that while minoxidil is not intended for a receding hairline, she has had patients use it to promote hair growth in different target areas.

As for my experience with it, I have not had much regrowth. I can see and feel some short hairs sprouting along parts of the hairline, but I haven't turned into Rapunzel or anything. My dermatologist has suggested that I continue using it to see if it might help stave off the recession.

Thanks again for the help, and if anyone on the forum uses minoxidil and/or is experiencing hair loss, feel free to comment!

[anonymoose]

You might like to see a specialist in Chinese medicine when you get here. To be clear, I don't hold out much hope for the efficacity of a Chinese remedy, but neither do I for minoxidil. On the other hand, since you have nothing to lose (apart from your hair, that is), it might be worth exploring the option.

[xiaojiang216]

Thanks for your suggestion! Actually, I did see a local Chinese medicine specialist when I was studying in Beijing. He made me two different medicines - one to have in the morning, the other to have at night - that I took for a few months.

Honestly, it really didn't affect my hair loss (but did make me more regular!). Did you have herbal or topical treatments in mind? I've been to Chinese medicine shops where vendors have shown me a few topical treatments, but I never actually tried them.

Thanks again!

[count_zero]

Chinese cure for baldness = combover.

[imron]

Unless you're 葛优.

[xiaojiang216]

If/when I get to that point, I'll just cut it short or shave it! Let's hope I can look as good as 葛优 or 乐嘉 when that time comes

[Pauan]

Such I coincidence I run into this topic. I am also 23 years old and my hair loss is bothering me. Last month I visited my dermatologist and through her recommendation I am using now Aloxidil (which is the same as minoxidil, I guess) which is a topic treatment and this other medicine called Finalop (I don't know if this is the international name or if there is any correspondent of this) which is oral.

I am also a little worried, because I might be going to china this year to study. I am worried if I can find these medications there.

[xiaojiang216]

Hi Pauan, it's good to know that someone else on these forums is in the same boat. I'm sure many people our age are going through this same kind of thing, but that's easy to forget.

Are you using the minoxidil to treat hairline recession as well? I did a quick search online and found that Finalop is known here in the US under the brand name Propecia. Has your dermatologist discussed the side effects of that medicine with you, I hope?

It sounds like minoxidil is available in China and I was able to find some pricing here. I think I will take abcdefg's advice and bring a few months supply with me so that I can find a place nearby that sells it at a reasonable price. Finasteride, which I know as Propecia and you know as Finalop, is 非那斯特莱 in Chinese. I did some searching on the website I linked to above and through a search engine, but didn't find anything. Depending on its shelf life, maybe you can bring an extra supply with you.

I hope this is somewhat helpful to you!

[Pauan]

Oh, thanks for the information.

Yes, I suffer from hairline recession. And yes, she told me about the possible side effects. But it's said it happened with around 1,9% of people who used this treatment, and these number was even inferior for those who continued the treatment after some years. In any case it is totally reversible once you stop the treatment.

Anyway, I will try to bring some of Aloxidil and Finalop with me and look for places that sell them.

[Alex Whiteman]

Ok. . . Finasteride and minoxidil. . .

I'm thinking about having a relative send me the brands I used to buy back home - as I cannot find those products in mainland China (I'm in a second tier city) outside Taobao. .  and I don't trust the quality/safety of the Chinese products that much anyway. . .

My question is; if I have a small box or two of the former and a couple 200ml (or so) cans of the later shipped over, any chance it can get troublesome customs/taxes wise? Will it arrive freely to my address or will I have to go to some customs bureau place (like it happens in my country) to do paper work and/or pay taxes?

[xiaojiang216]

Hey Alex,

Sorry, I didn't see this message until now! I am in Wuhan, and when I unexpectedly ran out of Minoxidil, I was able to find some at a pharmacy in Hong Kong (price was similar to what it is in the US). While I was using that (some brand from Israel?), I was able to order some through Taobao (the same brand I use in the US) and that worked out pretty well.

But regarding your actual question, I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure. My family sent me a package through snailmail that didn't have any problems (except I was worried about what to do if it didn't show up). However, they sent a package through FedEx once that, while fast, required me to fill out a form confirming the contents of the package (ruined the surprise of what was in it, haha) and send scanned images of my passport (page with image, visa, and entry/exit pages) to a FedEx representative. None of these packages had Minoxidil or any liquids, mind you.

So in short, I think you would be fine if you are able to prepare any necessary information (which might include proof of residency) and would probably not need to pay anything. But to avoid any possible hassles, I found that ordering through Taobao was pretty easy (I can PM you more info if needed). I apologize if this message is incoherent but hope it might help!

[imron]

I can PM you more info if needed

Or post about it here so future readers with the same problem can also find the answer.

[johnnylovesapples]

@xiaojiang216 I'd love to know what brand of Minoxidil your using, as I'm a little weary of ordering it off of Taobao.

[xiaojiang216]

Hi @johnnylovesapples, I'm glad I happened upon your message - I am running low on Minoxidil again, and am looking to find some to keep me stocked up before returning to the US soon. I have used the Up & Up brand, which I was able to find on Taobao in the past, but the retailer I used to buy it from doesn't seem to be carrying it anymore. I just looked on 京东 (jd.com), and it looks like brands such as Kirkland and Rogaine are available. Hope that helps!

Edit: I've been searching around on Baidu, and it looks like Minoxidil might be available at certain pharmacies and hospitals. I haven't had much luck with pharmacies, but I will try looking into this.

[MrsD]

I've desperately been looking for Minoxidil/Regaine/Rogaine for a couple of months now. What is the best and easiest way to get it?