minoxidil and hairline

[catch22]

I started minoxidil 5% in June 2014 and have applied it twice a day to my hairline with just a handful of once a day applications. The point is I used it regularly. I really wish I knew if it was slowing down the recession. It hasn't grown any new hair and really made me shed for months. I would be fine with it since perhaps that hair was destined to come out soon anyway, but I really hope it's not making it worse. Any advice? Where I apply it, my hairline looks like a train wreck. Maybe consider a hair transplant?

it takes a ton of work just to make my hair look decent.

 

[catch22]

Thanks for the reply. How long were you on minoxidil? and did you get a hair transplant on your hairline? How is that going? I'm really considering getting one myself since the rogaine has made my hairline look nasty.

 

[heretosee]

I also started minoxidil around mid June last year, meaning I've just passed the 7 month mark. I've also failed to notice any significant regrowth. The left side of my hairline (which was the most receded part prior to hopping on min) seems to have maintained, and under the right lighting I see a handful of tiny (0.5 - 1 inch) hairs sprouting in the area. These hairs never seem to grow out though, and do nothing for the aesthetics of my hairline.

I also applied minoxidil to the right side of my hairline at the advice of my trich, though I wish I had never done so. Before min my right hairline had no recession at all, now 7 months in it has thinned considerably and has noticeably receded about 0.25 of an inch. Every time I run my hands through my hairline, about 1 - 5 hairs will come loose.

I also don't know whether to try waiting it out and reassessing after 1 year, or to taper off it now and switch to finasteride. Like most people who have not yet taken the plunge to hop on finasteride, it's a Schrodinger's cat scenario for me. I'm terrified of the potential sides.