Doesn’t minoxidil make people shed hair? So say I put it on my temples, I’d shed the baby hair things I have and grow new longer ones? And if I got some hair and stopped applying it then would the hair I gained fall out? And what is wrong with finasteride? Im not entirely informed about it but I’m aware that it is a prescription pill that blocks DHT? Im assuming there are some nasty side effects of a sort? Or is it just not safe to take while you’re under a certain age?
Yes, you will shed upon starting, but it will regrow and when it does it will be thicker. All it does is speed of the rate at which telogen phase hairs fall out, thus allowing for new growth to replace it. Basically these are hairs that would have shed anyway, just not as rapidly. That said, if you stop applying it, you will most likely lose it all again.
Finasteride has an identical issue in that it is only effective if you keep taking it. The moment you stop you will lose all the hair it was protecting and hair loss will resume where it left off.
As to the side effects, there are many. While each person reacts a bit differently, the reaction is caused by the drug turning your hormonal balance into an irreparable dumpster fire. This is bad enough as is, but can be devastating if you haven’t reached maturity.
While not remotely limited to a single category, the side effects you need to consider are those linked to degrading of sexual function. While the worst side effects are rare, they are horrific enough to ruin your entire life (impotence). That said, the common side effects are, on their own, substantial and should give you pause (erectile distinction/loss of sensitivity and desire).
The thing you need to ask yourself before using either of these products is whether you are comfortable using them for the rest of your life.
and whether the risk of devastating side effects is worth taking.