Finasteride Going Well, Add Minoxidil?

[FBP]

Hi,

I've been on finasteride on and off in my life since 25ish but recently, steadily for 1.5 years. Went from 1mg to 1.25mg just 2 months ago after going proscar cutting into 4ths vs. 5ths. Has helped thicken my hair and not lose what I have I believe. Maybe even grown but I didn't do good before/after photos..
I also have a pretty good dht blocking + hair growth shampoo/cond, biotin/msm centric hair supp.. I'm 30 years old.

I have Norwood 2.25 (if such a thing exists). My sides receded a few years back and basically but are now mostly in a holding pattern (I hope). Thanks either genetics or having really really bad habits in my 20's (smoking, pro-hormonal supps, drinking 24/7) Recently I 'think' I am noticing just a few small baby hairs where my front hair line is. I'm got more paranoid after my last hair cut. (funny how that always happens) I'm hoping these little hairs are new after going to 1.25mg finasteride + adding supps and shampoo but how would one tell without detailed historical photos. (now I know what I should have done..)

My question is simple. Should I add minoxidil/rogaine? Money isn't my worry. I tried it before. Like others the shedding was annoying at first but then I did see hair firm up a bit. My sides are still are not like many of the 20 year olds on here where there's many thin remnants/hair follicules that are freshly miniaturizing. They are more shiny obviously where hair doesn't exist w/some random sprouters. I posted a more up close pic for you all to judge if that matters in adding this to my stack.
If I saw a ton of thinning areas I wouldn't be asking about adding minoxidil but I mostly just see some small hairs on the sides that are either new or old guys on the way out (hopefully the first).

Once I add minoxidil, it's a life commitment. Twice a day, gets in the way of styling and irritation etc.. Of course I'm old enough to know nothing good is easy but I feel like finasteride is a god send while minoxidil is more of a catch it while it's still really new thing. I know the two work differently. idk.. I'd like to add more hair of course don't we all but if my regimen will keep what I have perhaps I need to count my blessings and chill? Just don't want to waste more effort since most of my side looks like bald skin. ;D

 

[michel sapin]

so propecia maintained you hairline and crown? the first time you tried minoxidil did you have a shed at the hairline and did you recover from it? Great hair for 30 by the way

 

[FBP]

You know I really didn't do the best measurements from the last 5 years. Just FB photos and it almost looks like I have the same hair now that I had when I was 26/27 really noticing some side recession. I would since then I have been on finasteride half the time so only time will tell if moving forward if it will hold. I can tell you that I'm not going off this stuff again.

Minoxidil from what I can remember in my mid-late 20's seemed to help fill in my sides a bit but didn't get me back to NW1. I did notice quite a bit of shedding the couple times I took it first. For at least one months but if I had to call it I'd say the shedding stopped after 1-2months. Then I recovered with more density around sides so long as I stuck w/it. I would preferably not go back on it and re-shed as it's traumatic and time consuming. Of course, I'm still debating whether to add it back in however with my current regiment, besides having a fuller finasteride dose, I think my supplements, shampoo(s), and lifestyles habits are a huge plus. I just don't know if the pain would be worth the very limited re-gained ground. my sides are mostly shiny where there was once hair and only where the hairline is are there any evidence of small hairs. I think I'm just going to pay attention to those closer to see what develops however I think I see some progress. Wish this was easier to gauge. Then again, if it's hard to see gains vs. losses perhaps that justifies it's efficacy ya know?

Side note, I appreciate the compliments. To me 30 is still so young but when I was <25 I felt 30 was old. Gee how life progresses. What's your situation?

 

[davesmith420]

Your hair looks great man! I would say give minoxidil foam a shot. It isn't greasy whatsoever (obviously) and I feel like it helps me style my hair better as it acts as almost like a mousse.

 

[FBP]

Your hair looks great man! I would say give minoxidil foam a shot. It isn't greasy whatsoever (obviously) and I feel like it helps me style my hair better as it acts as almost like a mousse.

Yah I'm kinda leaning towards giving a final shot. Anyone prefer a kind? Foam or liquid these days?

 

[Sokubo]

Yah I'm kinda leaning towards giving a final shot. Anyone prefer a kind? Foam or liquid these days?

If you want to use it and go in public, the Rogaine foam is probably the way to go (I wouldn't go as far as to say it's like a mousse, though). If not, or if your on a 1 application a day deal, the liquid would probably be the best (it's usually a bit cheaper, too).

Both get the job done, though.

 

[FBP]

If you want to use it and go in public, the Rogaine foam is probably the way to go (I wouldn't go as far as to say it's like a mousse, though). If not, or if your on a 1 application a day deal, the liquid would probably be the best (it's usually a bit cheaper, too).

Both get the job done, though.

Ya back in the day I left it in but I heard you're supposed to/can dry it(?) off after it's absorbed for about an hour.
Could you wash / wet your hair again if you waited an hour though since it's mostly absorbed into the skin by then or incorrect assumption..?

Also, 5% is pretty much the standard still?

 

[Sokubo]

Ya back in the day I left it in but I heard you're supposed to/can dry it(?) off after it's absorbed for about an hour.
Could you wash / wet your hair again if you waited an hour though since it's mostly absorbed into the skin by then or incorrect assumption..?

Also, 5% is pretty much the standard still?

You could try to do that, but the recommended time to wash your again or wet it is about 4 hours after application. I'd stick to that.

Yep, and for good reason. Once you hit 15% Minoxidil you really aren't doing that better than with 5%, though I am surprised they haven't come out with a 7 or 8% minoxidil solution. But anyway, yes.