Long-term?

fairhaired

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If you are using finasteride, and it is working, realistically how many years would it work before its effects start to wear off? Could you use it forever? Thanks.
 

KeepTheHair

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The 5 years study on finasteride shows that your hair will be the same or better in most patients.

Though, after the first year things slowly and slowly decline in terms of hair count.


So, to answer your question...most people probably need to have a back-up plan for the years 5-10. Year 6 might still be ok...but your hair follicles will become more sensitive to DHT over time.


If you use a topical anti-androgen such as spironolactone or perhaps use a shampoo with ketoconazole in it... you might have some more time.

There are some more "powerful" options that I am considering for the future which include:

Fluridil
Dutasteride


Who knows what is the best thing to do. I think 5 years will be enough. Some people live on finasteride for 20 years and still have their hair. But it is always good to have a back up plan. Personally I think the worst thing you can do for your balding head of hair is to simply use minoxidil on it's own... it will fool you into thinking you are doing something for your hair. After 2-3 years DHT will overrun your scalp. Minoxidil only recruits hair to join the anagen phase for 2-3 years. DHT, attacks forever.
 

adolobe

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Individually no one can truely answer that question for you. Some individuals respond well to finasteride others do not in the long run.

finasteride is a catch 22 for some individuals. We dont now where or when male pattern baldness will reach its max on us at an individual level. So with this in mind your hair could or may not change after 5+ years on finasteride.

Thankfully there are other options out there beside finasteride.

Best advice use whats proven safe and effective. And years down the road if you being to lose ground you have other options
 

FSHGLD

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Cheers for the insight....
KeepTheHair, you mentioned that minoxidil recruits hairs for 2-3 years. If you respond well to finasteride, will it guard new hairs that minoxidil has recruited for the 5-6 years that it works well?
 

KeepTheHair

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I agree with adelobe that some people just don't respond well. But my post was based on the 5 year study, and that most do at least keep their hair.

FSHGLD, it is important to understand that minoxidil does NOT protect your hair or maintain it. It only helps to keep hair in the anagen phase, so it appears fuller. But you are still losing hair because of male pattern baldness. Minoxidil should not be used as your only or first treatment. You should get something to combat the balding cycle such as propecia.

I am no expert and I don't know much more than I have already said.



I am not sure what you are asking though, but let me just tell you: It is a much better idea to use finasteride than minoxidil, if your only going to use one. Also, it is MUCH better to use them BOTH.

Good luck
 

TheGrayMan2001

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Some people's hairloss is completely reversed. Over the next 5 to 10 years they regain hair.

Some people will simply maintain what they have.

Others continue to lose hair because finasteride has little effect on them.

Basically, you don't know until you try.
 
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