Dropping propecia for topical regimen-Can it be successful?

[The Rake]

Hey guys, here's my current situation. I'm 20 with early frontal thinning which I've been treating for almost 6 months now with a regimen of just Propecia and Nizoral shampoo twice a week. In that time I've not only maintained but also seen some slight thickening of my hair. But, I've noticed some lingering side effects with the propecia and while I'm down to 0.25 mg daily now, the sides are minor but still there so I've decided I'm gonna slowly ween off the propecia until I drop it for good. The constant paranoia about side effects has gotten to me and even if the propecia may be relatively harmless to my body I still won't be able to achieve peace of mind.

So now I'm looking to move to a topical regimen and the dreaded question is: Is it possible to maintain what I have with topicals? Right now, after some early research, I'm looking at Proxiphen, Topical spironolactone, and Tricomin Shampoo along with the nizoral 2x a week that I'm already using. Is it possible for me to make a successful switch over to a topical regimen?

Just looking for any helpful advice/words of wisdom.

 

[Swanson]

I think you will have success, however proxiphen is really expensive. I would switch the proxiphen with 5% kirkland minoxidil, far much cheaper. ($45 for 6 months). And continue with spironolactone and tricomin and also nizoral. I believe this is probably the best overall topical regimen.

However, if you can afford proxiphen then by all means use it. i just find it to expensive.

I believe this regimen will maintain hair for quite awhile and get some regrowth.

 

[decro435]

Let me put it this way man,

I'm in the same position as you, 19 sides from Finasteride etc. I find it hard to believe that without somehow incorparating a internal DHT inhibitor into your regimen you will maintain what you have. I honestly see Finasteride as the only treatment out there for hair loss, unfortuenatly the side effects when they occur are too much for most of us. Yeah, four months on after my second run at Finasteride and my dicks not half the beast it used to be, my fault shouldn't have given it a second go..

spironolactone is a viable treatment, but it seems too inconsistent and ineffective. It would have to reach the scalp (through your hair) and cover the whole effected areas. Just doesn't seem to do the job. Then there's the fact that there's no success stories. The only study I've seen (Italian one) shows maintainence, but who knows how accurate that study was.

Keep up the Nizoral and look into Green tea etc., I doubt these treatments will do anything either, but they let you think your doing something anyways. Hair loss sucks and so do the treatments, just got to play with the cards your dealt.