Minoxidil Has Stopped Working - What Else Can I Take?

[respek]

I have been taking minoxidil for over 7 years. I started at 2% 2x/day. I then went to 5% 2x/day. I am currently taking 15% minoxidil without Propylene gycol @ night with 5% minoxidil in the morning.

I am continuing to see my hairline recede and crown shed. I realize that Propecia is useful, however, I can't take it due to side effects that I get from it.

Is there anything else that is Scientifically proven to help my receding hairline (temples and crown)? I'm at the point where I am thinking of just letting myself go bald and getting a hair transplant.

Thanks

 

[Bowser]

i have virtually the same history as you in terms of minoxidil concentration changes over time and loss of apparent effect. how long have you been on the 15%?

from what other posters on here have said, its probably more that your male pattern baldness is progressing rather than minoxidil not working as minoxidil does not block DHT. i am lucky that finasteride has helped a lot but without the minoxidil too i would probably be completely bald.
i have been using the 15% for about a year and half at night on my frontal part only. i think it has definitely helped! there was some crazy shedding to begin with though.

 

[WarLord]

i have virtually the same history as you in terms of minoxidil concentration changes over time and loss of apparent effect. how long have you been on the 15%?

from what other posters on here have said, its probably more that your male pattern baldness is progressing rather than minoxidil not working as minoxidil does not block DHT. i am lucky that finasteride has helped a lot but without the minoxidil too i would probably be completely bald.
i have been using the 15% for about a year and half at night on my frontal part only. i think it has definitely helped! there was some crazy shedding to begin with though.

You are apparently very bad responders, if 15% minoxidil doesn't work for you. Such concentrations would burn out my follicles. I can't even take 10% minoxidil. I have lived on 2% minoxidil comfortably for 11,5 years. There must be something wrong with your body. Did you check your hormonal levels?

 

[Dr Tom]

I think that this is just natural progression of male pattern baldness that would have went faster without minoxidil.

I would recommend ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral is an example brand name) twice or three times a week if you dont use this already.

Also consider using bimatoprost to the problem areas. It is expensive but can make a difference.

Nothing will complete eliminate male pattern baldness but minoxidil, ketoconazole + bimatoprost can slow it down significantly.

 

[Bowser]

You are apparently very bad responders, if 15% minoxidil doesn't work for you. Such concentrations would burn out my follicles. I can't even take 10% minoxidil. I have lived on 2% minoxidil comfortably for 11,5 years. There must be something wrong with your body. Did you check your hormonal levels?

havent managed to check hormone levels but its on my to-do-list!
Im not sure what you meant but the 15% minoxidil Im using has definitely worked for me/or so i think! you see i started on finasteride and the 15% at the same time so its either or both but hair line is much thicker. i apply it to frontal area only,at night. 5% elsewhere and in mornings. i made a big mistake- should have started finasteride three years ago when i had acceptable coverage all over.

 

[WarLord]

Nothing will complete eliminate male pattern baldness.

Sure, your 25 years' study uniquevocally demonstrates this. I am thrilled to see the data.

I haven't lost a single hair during 16 years on anti-hair loss treatments (except two frustrating episodes with switching drugs). But I suppose that after 24 years and 1 day, all hell will break loose.


- - - Updated - - -

havent managed to check hormone levels but its on my to-do-list!
Im not sure what you meant but the 15% minoxidil Im using has definitely worked for me/or so i think! you see i started on finasteride and the 15% at the same time so its either or both but hair line is much thicker. i apply it to frontal area only,at night. 5% elsewhere and in mornings. i made a big mistake- should have started finasteride three years ago when i had acceptable coverage all over.

It is always better to combine minoxidil with finasteride. They potentiate each other.

I was pointing at the high minoxidil concentrations, because they only destroyed my hair. Even 10% would be too much for me.

I know an example of a man, who started on 2% minoxidil and ended up on a 30% home brew after 10 years. Seriously, that's insane. Such people must have some defect in their skin.

- - - Updated - - -

but minoxidil, ketoconazole + bimatoprost can slow it down significantly.

"Slowing down" is no solution. Your statement is nonsensical in principle, by the way, because I can't imagine, how someone could be idly watching his disappearing hair without any counteraction. With the current arsenal of treatments, you can't practically get bald - unless you are some unlucky case (perhaps an extra-terrestial). There is always some possibility to upgrade the treatment.

 

[Dr Tom]

Sure, your 25 years' study uniquevocally demonstrates this. I am thrilled to see the data.

I haven't lost a single hair during 16 years on anti-hair loss treatments (except two frustrating episodes with switching drugs). But I suppose that after 24 years and 1 day, all hell will break loose.

Can you link me to independent data showing how to cure male pattern baldness? As a doctor in the field, I would love to offer this cure to my patients!

I do not understand why you are being aggressive. I am glad that you have got good results from your treatment. Many people do. Unfortunately, there are people that still slowly lose a bit more hair each year despite optimal therapies.

"Slowing down" is no solution. Your statement is nonsensical in principle, by the way, because I can't imagine, how someone could be idly watching his disappearing hair without any counteraction. With the current arsenal of treatments, you can't practically get bald - unless you are some unlucky case (perhaps an extra-terrestial). There is always some possibility to upgrade the treatment.

I wish it was this simple. People can react to medicines in different ways for countless physiological reasons. With the current treatments then the majority will significantly slow down hair loss.