Stopped minoxidil for around six months - is there still hope if I start again?

[mightyhuh]

Commented the following on the r/tressless monthly selfie thread, but thought I might get more of a response here:

I’m 23, started finasteride and min 3 years ago and they seemed to have had a decent enough effect. I’m pretty sure I at least didn’t get a lot worse in that time.

However, since about May/June of this year I became really inconsistent with my minoxidil application. There’s no logical reason for this, but I guess I just got too lazy and lost the habit. I’ve still used it to some extent during this time but probably only about 20% as often as I should have been (I know this is dumb, I don’t need telling). For the most part I’ve carried on with finasteride, however I know that once you start with min you’re dependant for life, so I should have kept that up.

I definitely feel like I’ve seen a decline as a result of this, just got back from a haircut and my hairline seems a lot worse than it did after the last one 6 weeks ago.

Here are some photos from May:

https://imgur.com/a/FzekxCc

July, a couple months into inconsistent min usage. Seems a little worse here:

https://imgur.com/a/znMkiBZ

Today:

https://imgur.com/a/jgvbm7J

So here’s my question. Is there a decent chance that I can get back to where I was in May if I become consistent with my application again, or will it be quite difficult to make up that much ground? I know regrowth is quite difficult on the temple area. I also know that nobody can answer this question with certainty, but I’m just wondering what anyone’s estimation would be judging by the pictures. Thanks

 

[mightyhuh]

Hard to say, but combine it with dermarolling to get more effect. Maybe that will help you to return to your desired baseline.

Also, minoxidil is sufficiently weird and mysterious that I doubt anyone on this forum will be able to give you a very clear answer. The important thing is to just jump back into it and see what happens, and to be consistent.

Would certainly be interested to hear about your progress after, say, 6 more months of consistent minoxidil + dermarolling. Though you of course are only one data point.

Another possibility could be to throw in more growth stimulants like stemoxydine. They are all less effective than minoxidil, but some of them definitely do something. Of course, applying several topicals per day is more of a pain in the arse.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, to be honest it's a relief just to know that it may be possible to get some regrowth, even if there's no way to be sure. Thought I may have irreversibly fucked myself over by destroying the efficacy of minoxidil within my system. So as long as that's not the case, it's nice to have some hope.

I did buy a dermaroller around a couple of years ago actually, but never got around to using it. Will definitely give it a go though and see if it helps.

I've been diagnosed with ADHD in the last few weeks, which I think to be honest explains why I've had trouble maintaining consistency with my regime. Starting the meds for that soon so hopefully those will help with keeping to it better this time. Will definitely try to update after a few months, provided I've stuck with minoxidil consistently enough.

As per other growth stimulants, I think I may give them a shot if I don't see much progress after including dermarolling. That's a good idea, thanks.

 

[mightyhuh]

Hard to say, but combine it with dermarolling to get more effect. Maybe that will help you to return to your desired baseline.

Also, minoxidil is sufficiently weird and mysterious that I doubt anyone on this forum will be able to give you a very clear answer. The important thing is to just jump back into it and see what happens, and to be consistent.

Would certainly be interested to hear about your progress after, say, 6 more months of consistent minoxidil + dermarolling. Though you of course are only one data point.

Another possibility could be to throw in more growth stimulants like stemoxydine. They are all less effective than minoxidil, but some of them definitely do something. Of course, applying several topicals per day is more of a pain in the arse.

Out of interest, what Norwood do I look to be in the most recent pictures? I always find it difficult to be sure myself.