No shed/response on the big three

[tellersquill]

As it stands, I've been on rogaine and nizoral for three months and I've been on propecia for over a month. Despite this I have noticed no discernible difference to my hair line (which is Norwood 2.5). This, to me at least, seems odd - I've been left to believe that 'the big three' will cause a big shed, possible erectile dysfunction, and hair regrowth. Yet right now this isn't happening and it is as if I am not taking anything at all.

Does this mean I am not a responder? Or, do some people not get a shed or ed but do go onto improve their hair line?

 

[big_head]

It's different for everyone. 3 months is nothing. I was on minoxidil for about 6.5 months with no results and I quit, and even that is arguably too early to quit.

Meanwhile, finasteride should at the very least stop your balding, but it can take up to a year for you to see any difference in thickening.

As far as your hairline, I would honestly dial back your expectations. You'll be lucky if it thickens up your hairline. At the very best you'll probably move from a Norwood 2.5 to a Norwood 2....but I'd bet on your hair simply maintaining and thickening a bit over time. Hair takes a ridiculously long time to grow, shed, grow, shed, which is why the peak time for results on finasteride is usually pegged at around 2 years, from what I have read.

If you feel like minoxidil and nizoral are wasting your time, quit them for now. You might experience a shed if you do this since minoxidil messes with your hairs growth cycles apparently, but even if that happens you'll level out in a few months.

In any case, unless you have bad sides, STICK WITH finasteride. After a year, see if it has maintained or improved your hair, then consider adding the other 2 back in for further regrowth and thickening.

The reason why it's best to do it this way is that you need something like finasteride to halt the hairloss anyway, and if you do see regrowth in 8 months, you'll be asking yourself if it was the finasteride, minoxidil or nizoral that caused actual regrowth, and you'll be too scared to ever stop.

So for the time being, whatever you choose to do, stick with finasteride for at least 1 year. Be patient. The others are optional.

 

[Dench57]

Despite this I have noticed no discernible difference to my hair line (which is Norwood 2.5). This, to me at least, seems odd - I've been left to believe that 'the big three' will cause a big shed, possible erectile dysfunction, and hair regrowth.

Well firstly you've only been on it a month which is too soon to assess anything. But sheds, ED and regrowth are all possibilities of Propecia, they're not certainties. If in 6-12 months your situation is still the same (maintenance, no sheds/ED), then that's a resounding success in my book.

 

[tellersquill]

I really want to see some hair regrowth. I've seen many people re-gain hair and I don't think I want a lot by asking for the same.

 

[Kian1810]

You need to give it at least a year

 

[mr_robot]

There are a few things you can try, I had no regrowth for five months until I modified my regime(see my thread on the success stories section). Are you using liquid or foam rogain? do you feel any kind of reaction when you apply the rogain? You may want to try a shampoo with salicylic acid to do a chemical peel on your scalp that may help with better absorption.

 

[tellersquill]

There are a few things you can try, I had no regrowth for five months until I modified my regime(see my thread on the success stories section). Are you using liquid or foam rogain? do you feel any kind of reaction when you apply the rogain? You may want to try a shampoo with salicylic acid to do a chemical peel on your scalp that may help with better absorption.

I use foam in the morning as it dries quicker but liquid in the evening as it feels as if it lasts longer.