Been On Minoxidil For 4 Months And Starting To Get Worried

[GoldenGod]

Hi, I have been using finasteride for the past 10 months and minoxidil for the past 4 months.The reason I started using Minoxidil, is that I noticed that my crown was starting to become a little thin and I was hoping to regrow some of my Norwood 2.5 hairline. The first 3 months I had a massive shed which made my crown extremely thin and the hairs on the beginning of my hairline started to curl and miniaturize. I have not seen any improvement at all so far.

I am currently freaking out and I am not sure If I should stop using minoxidil and cut my losses, or If I should continue?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Alphalete]

I'd continue. Can you show us before and after pictures for better assessment?

 

[Jimm]

Hi, I have been using finasteride for the past 10 months and minoxidil for the past 4 months.The reason I started using Minoxidil, is that I noticed that my crown was starting to become a little thin and I was hoping to regrow some of my Norwood 2.5 hairline. The first 3 months I had a massive shed which made my crown extremely thin and the hairs on the beginning of my hairline started to curl and miniaturize. I have not seen any improvement at all so far.

I am currently freaking out and I am not sure If I should stop using minoxidil and cut my losses, or If I should continue?

Any input would be appreciated.

Minoxidil can take longer in some cases. And it's complicated by the fact that you're also on finasteride. You'll never know which to blame fully.

 

[JM2018]

shedded for 3 months? I would stop.

 

[itsjustsimon]

shedded for 3 months? I would stop.

Yup, because shedding for first 3 months is something abnormal right?

 

[Alex Contee]

It would be a huge mistake to stop for anything less than significant side effects. Quoting from Dr. John Cole because I don't have time to properly source this-

"Shedding is common with the application of minoxidil because it promotes anagen in hairs in the resting phase, telogen. The new growing hairs in anagen push the resting hairs out. Shedding from minoxidil usually means you are getting a benefit from the minoxidil. The shedding often causes people to stop using minoxidil, but shedding is a sign you are benefiting from minoxidil." https://www.realself.com/question/j...e-scalp-after-weeks-minoxidil-common-traction

Now did you actually shed worse than normal for 3 months? If so this would still be normal but it is very common for your hair to look like crap for a few months after starting Min. Even more so if you started Min a few months after finasteride. I would give it 6 months.

 

[GoldenGod]

6 months of taking finasteride I had zero shed. 4 Months into minoxidil, it looks like I have lost half my density and my crown is now exposed

And it looks like the shedding is not slowing down. Very tempted to stop minoxidil for good.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Dude upload before and after pictures. This could just be all in your head and you are overly exaggerating. For reference, when I first started finasteride and thought it was making things worse I was sure I would be half bald by now and it hasn't happened yet. Upload pics and chill, we will take care of you.

 

[Kev123]

Dude upload before and after pictures. This could just be all in your head and you are overly exaggerating. For reference, when I first started finasteride and thought it was making things worse I was sure I would be half bald by now and it hasn't happened yet. Upload pics and chill, we will take care of you.

I second this.