First post here --> propecia/finasteride question

[Bryan]

But I've been using it for 2-3 years. I'll bet that the minoxidil-dependent hairs are extensive throughout my scalp. To the best of my knowledge, minoxidil diffuses into and across the scalp. I'll bet even follicles unaffected by androgenetic alopecia are partially or fully minoxidil-dependent.

I think you're right, but so what? If you've decided it's just too much trouble for you to use and not worth the effort or expense, just stop using it and let your hair go back to the way it would have been without the minoxidil. I still don't understand why you say that you're "unable to wean yourself off the minoxidil". It's easy: just throw the Rogaine bottle in the trash can!

 

[$tackz]

But I've been using it for 2-3 years. I'll bet that the minoxidil-dependent hairs are extensive throughout my scalp. To the best of my knowledge, minoxidil diffuses into and across the scalp. I'll bet even follicles unaffected by androgenetic alopecia are partially or fully minoxidil-dependent.

I think you're right, but so what? If you've decided it's just too much trouble for you to use and not worth the effort or expense, just stop using it and let your hair go back to the way it would have been without the minoxidil. I still don't understand why you say that you're "unable to wean yourself off the minoxidil". It's easy: just throw the Rogaine bottle in the trash can!

Are you not understanding or something? He said his hairs are so minoxidil dependent now that even none AA affected hair will probably fall out if he stops. You saying he can let his hair go back to the way it would have been without the minoxidil doesn't seem very plausible... in fact it will be much worse!

 

[Bryan]

Are you not understanding or something? He said his hairs are so minoxidil dependent now that even none AA affected hair will probably fall out if he stops. You saying he can let his hair go back to the way it would have been without the minoxidil doesn't seem very plausible... in fact it will be much worse!

The best available scientific evidence suggests that it WILL go back to the way it would have been. We've been talking about this for a long time on this forum, but I do see that you're a newbie here.

 

[medmax84]

Are you not understanding or something? He said his hairs are so minoxidil dependent now that even none AA affected hair will probably fall out if he stops. You saying he can let his hair go back to the way it would have been without the minoxidil doesn't seem very plausible... in fact it will be much worse!

The best available scientific evidence suggests that it WILL go back to the way it would have been. We've been talking about this for a long time on this forum, but I do see that you're a newbie here.

I actually think I saw a graph once where it gets much worse for a short period of time then returns to baseline. When I get back from work, I'll try to find that image. Bottom line is I am scared to see what my hair would look like had I never started minoxidil 3 years ago.

I think I see where our misunderstanding is... I wish I had started finasteride immediately when I noticed my hairline receding, NOT minoxidil. minoxidil has given me a relative, albeit short-lived, reprieve from my recession. I just wish I had tried propecia first. Stupid rookie mistake.

I'm sure others have made the mistake as well, because Rogaine is much easier and discrete to come by. All you have to do is buy it at your local grocery store and go through the self-checkout. It's easier to remain in denial that you have an issue that needs to be addressed if you can just apply some crap in the AM (and possibly PM). The fact is that finasteride is a much better medicine than minoxidil as a first line of defense seeing as it goes to the root (no pun intended) of the problem, DHT, and doesn't artificially drug up your follicles so that they grow despite damage.

 

[Nathaniel]

The fact is that finasteride is a much better medicine than minoxidil as a first line of defense seeing as it goes to the root (no pun intended) of the problem, DHT, and doesn't artificially drug up your follicles so that they grow despite damage.

In all honesty, both drugs combined are far more effective than either of them used alone. I'd strongly encourage you to use both for max benefits.

Bottom line is I am scared to see what my hair would look like had I never started minoxidil 3 years ago.

I also had no clue as to how much of a chore it is to apply it every morning and to make it not look like a slobbering dog just licked my head.

Good news, you don't have to stop minoxidil because of the 'dog licking effect'. Try the foam - it is easy as hell to apply! It even helps with styling (on some of us at least). And if you don't want to use the foam, just use it at night, tons of guys here use it once a day and get results.

 

[Bryan]

I actually think I saw a graph once where it gets much worse for a short period of time then returns to baseline. When I get back from work, I'll try to find that image.

You're probably thinking of this pair of graphs from a 1999 study of topical minoxidil by Dr. Vera Price. I've been posting it on hairloss sites for years:

http://www.geocities.com/bryan50001/quitting-minoxidil.htm

I think I see where our misunderstanding is... I wish I had started finasteride immediately when I noticed my hairline receding, NOT minoxidil. minoxidil has given me a relative, albeit short-lived, reprieve from my recession. I just wish I had tried propecia first. Stupid rookie mistake.

Yes, that's exactly the point I've been making for years. It seems pretty clear that topical minoxidil merely gives an extra "offset of growth" (Dr. Price was the one who coined that term in her study, and I thought it was an insightful comment), without really interfering with the fundamental balding process. So if you want that extra offset of growth, go ahead and use minoxidil. If you decide later that it's too much trouble to apply every day, just stop using it. You'll lose that extra offset of growth that you had gotten from the minoxidil, but that's about it.

The fact is that finasteride is a much better medicine than minoxidil as a first line of defense seeing as it goes to the root (no pun intended) of the problem, DHT, and doesn't artificially drug up your follicles so that they grow despite damage.

EXACTLY!