Been on finasteride for years .... will minoxidil help?

[tjp312]

Hi all,

I'm 26 and have been on finasteride for about 5 years (along with Nizoral for the past several months). It's done its job - I still think I'm losing hair, but at a very slow pace.

However, I have noticed some thinness around my crown. I don't think it's noticeable to other people, but it is to me. I have no idea of how long it has been that way - it could be recent, or it could have been that way for years, before I even started finasteride. As dumb as it sounds, my focus was always my hairline, so I never actually took a mirror to the top of my head and closely inspected until just recently.

Now, my minoxidil questions:

- I know it varies, but is it possible to give me an idea of how bad the initial minoxidil shed is on average? This won't stop me from doing it, but it may cause me to wait until after the holidays (family / friends events, pictures, etc.)

- To start off, I would probably just apply the minoxidil to my crown. Is it possible that this could still cause a shed at my hairline, or is the shed limited to the area you apply the minor?

- Did anyone else use concealer products during their initial shed? That seems like going overboard, but at least having the option sorta eases my concerns..

- Lastly, has anyone else started minoxidil years after starting finasteride? Did you find it to be an effective addition to your regimen? As in, would it retain / bring back hairs that finasteride "missed" ?

Thanks guys!

 

[warner8]

minoxidil definitely can help you. just go out and buy a 3 month supply 5% liq generic, and see what happens. start today, not in the future, and get the ball rolling on the shed, and the regrowth ASAP. stop being a sissy and worry about the shed, it shows the minoxidil is actually working, and what will grow back, and grow in will make you look better than before.

 

[yetti]

I've never used finasteride and probably wont. Have never used nizoral and no immediate plan to. I started minoxidil in the middle of last week. Yeah, there's a shed... I'm using it on the crown and also hairline. I dont see much shed at hairline but its definitely thinner on the crown. A little freaky. I might try a sprinkle or 2 of toppik LOL. Funny how you can laugh at a commerical your whole life and then suddenly...

I hope the rumors saying that this rogaine substance actually works turn out to be true because I definitely have less hair than last week. o: Not gonna stop though

 

[Iopu]

I never had a shed at all from minoxidil. Been using (overdosing) it for nearly 2 years. Including 15% strength. I sometimes wonder if the potential for shedding is overblown.

 

[623]

Tjp - how did your shed go? I'm in the same boat and am considering starting minoxidil after 4 years on finasteride but want to wait until after the summer.

How long did it last and how noticeable was it?