Does minoxidil only work for approx 24 months?

[aceman626]

​I keep hearing that minoxidil only work for a year or two before it stops working at all. If that is the case, then why do doctors always tell you to start treatment as early as possible? Strategically speaking, shouldn't you try to delay using it as late as you can, as long as you have follicles left? As in, you start minoxidil only when your balding starts to get really bad, but before completely bald of course.


Is that a good strategy? Also, has anyone had good effects from minoxidil only that lasted more than a couple years?

 

[aceman626]

It's pretty much all over the forums dude.

 

[heyatoms]

minoxidil

From what I know regarding minoxidil, it will work indefinitely. HOWEVER because it doesn't stop the root cause of balding (DHT), if you're treatment is limited to minoxidil only, then yes it would appear to only work for an x amount of time. As the DHT buildup will eventually win out over the minoxidil increasing blood flow to the scalp, ie assisiting with hair growth.

Starting minoxidil early will keep your existing hair follicles active for longer, which is why it's recommended to start early.

 

[warner8]

it worked great for me ages 23-26, around when i hit 27 it stopped working ( i was using only 5% liquid twice a day) Even after incorporating finasteride into my regimen, I was still not able to get back my previous results from minoxidil alone. it sucks. i thought with a DHT blocker it would allow the minoxidil to continue working, but i found this not the case. i wonder if there is something missing to the puzzle. i just find it shocking, that as a GREAT responder to minoxidil in the beginning, i cannot even come close to 3/4 of the results with finasteride added to my regimen. I'm 29 now and have not seen a great change in my hair since being on both since may 2014 when i started finasteride till now.

 

[M.G]

I can tell you this - my dad started going bald at his late twenties and started pretty quickly go on minoxidil.

I would say during 15 years he had absolutely fantastic results with minoxidil only. He was still thin but had good coverage over the head.

To me that is great results considering both his brothers went bald at an young age and we got baldness in the family.

He started losing more rapidly when he was about 43-44 I think, did a transplant and now hes back to where he was at.

I dont know if its just luck or not but my dad have been a fantastic responder to minoxidil.

 

[resu]

If you're just using it yes it peaks at that point but if you're on finasteride then it holds the fort for much longer.