Ordered Proscar, now I need advice on minoxidil!

[Stinger122]

Ok guys, I ordered Proscar, and I plan to cut the tabs into 1/4..

But now the question is minoxidil, (Before Stingray starts calling me a pansie.. I need some advice, not somebody who's gonna start moaning please dont bother leaving a note if your gonna be like that!)

Anyway, I do plan on starting Minoxidil, my main concern is this.. My original hairs that I already have on the scalp will NOT become minoxidil dependant will they?
As in my hair state will just come back to the way it was before I started minoxidil correct? (Thats if I quit minoxidil)

Also, how long can I expect to shed for (if I shed) at the start? When will I see progress?

I have heard about all the itchyness/flakes etc.. But im sure Nizoral and folligen should be able to hack that..

Thanks for your advice guys, any other information will be greatly appreciated!

 

[The Gardener]

Good move, Sting. minoxidil is doing wonders for me.

If you stop using the Minoxidil, your hairline will revert to the situation it would be in if you never used it at all. This meaning that if you start it at year 1 and stop it at year 3, your hairline will revert to where it would have been at year 3 if your male pattern baldness were allowed to progress over those two years.

I had a minor shed at week 2, a more significant shed at week 6. Neither had any visual impact on my hairline. As minoxidil prompts your scalp to expedite shedding of hairs in telogen phase, these are hairs that you were already going to lose and normally only 10% of human follicles are in telogen stage at a given point in time.

I have been using the Rogaine brand. I had one bout of itchiness and flakiness, and nothing at ALL since. I am on Nizoral, so maybe this is preventing it. I have NO problem at all with it, but I do get a very mild stinging sensation about 5-10 minutes after application. I think this is probably more due to the astringent effect of the alcohol in the minoxidil.

The only side effect I have noticed is a thickening of my upper sideburns, and I think my beard comes in a little more quickly than it used to.

Month 2.2 for me and I have visible results. I must also add that while I do usually apply it twice a day, there have been some days where I have skipped the am application so I have not been 100% religious about it. Nevertheless, it is still working for me which is great! It is nice to have a little am flexibility for those unexpected days when you have to shower and run out the door, and know that it doesn't really impact my treatment.

 

[Stinger122]

Nice one gardener, your advice is as always greatly appreciated! Glad things are going well for you mate, you deserve the best as you do help a lot of the peeps on this site

I plan on ordering the Kirkland version and I have already been using Nizoral for 3 months so I suppose I should be ok bout the flaking etc (hopefully!)

Is minoxidil good enough for maintainence though?

Oh and also im a diffuse thinner, so should I just apply the dropper spreaded out on the scalp and then massage it in?

Thanks guys!

 

[Stingray]

Hey hey hey... give me some credit here kid. I have no problem answering questions. It's when people jump on the wuss-train is when I start poking fun. minoxidil is a double edged sword. It could save your hair, but it will take them away in the future if it's stopped. I'd recommend only getting on it if you're sure you need it. I jumped on it from the beginning because I know my fate. My dad, his father, my uncles, my mother's father... all cueballs. And all at early ages. If you're thinning slowly, I would say save minoxidil as a future alternative.

If it's falling like rain though... best do it now before it's too late.

 

[ShedMaster]

I had a wicked shed from minoxidil during the 2nd or so week until the 5th or 6th. However, knowing that you are expected to shed from the treatments is a completely different feeling then sheding on your own, without taking anything. It didn't bother me at all, mere a good ridance to those hairs you were going to lose anyway. You are doing a good thing by using minoxidil. if you get to a point in 12-18 months where you have achieved the maximum results you are going to experience on minoxidil, many have resorted to use of minoxidil only every other day, or once per day for example.. you can experiment. Good luck! I've been on it for about 2 months myself along w/propecia and am excited that I am doing everything I can to kick this hair loss problem.

 

[Stinger122]

Ok Stingray I take back what I said, but I do understand what you mean by the 'wuss' wagon lol (Nice terminology lol)
But you gotta understand these guys can get confussed about all the sh*t they can read!
I was one of them, for example people do recommend you do research, but when you do research you can read up on so much different sh*t you get confussed!

Im sure you can understand this, but thanks for your help Stingray and shedmaster.

I dont believe I have lost LOADS as of yet, but it is becoming detectable at the crown and slightly on my hair parting..

My hair is deffinetly thinner though but I still have lots of hair, so what would you guys recommend? Will Propecia thicken up my existing hairs (This will make my hair loss less noticeable and is all I need) or will propecia just maintain them in their thiness? OR will the minoxidil actually make them from thin to thick?

Hope thats clear, if not just say!

Thanks again guys!

 

[ShedMaster]

My advice is... if the hairloss is not extremely agressive, you may try propecia at 1st for 8-12 months and see if this is enough. If after this period you are not satisfied, you may get on minoxidil. In my case, I am a diffuse thinner, and have lost a substantial amount already, so minoxidil was a no brainer. I said that using minoxidil is a good thing in my previous post becuase I wasnt't sure of the extent of your hair loss. At worst , propecia should keep the hair that you have. Maybe someone else will have a different opinion.

 

[Dice_Has_Hair]

Ok Stingray I take back what I said, but I do understand what you mean by the 'wuss' wagon lol (Nice terminology lol)
But you gotta understand these guys can get confussed about all the sh*t they can read!
I was one of them, for example people do recommend you do research, but when you do research you can read up on so much different sh*t you get confussed!

Im sure you can understand this, but thanks for your help Stingray and shedmaster.

I dont believe I have lost LOADS as of yet, but it is becoming detectable at the crown and slightly on my hair parting..

My hair is deffinetly thinner though but I still have lots of hair, so what would you guys recommend? Will Propecia thicken up my existing hairs (This will make my hair loss less noticeable and is all I need) or will propecia just maintain them in their thiness? OR will the minoxidil actually make them from thin to thick?

Hope thats clear, if not just say!

Thanks again guys!

Whats up my good friend. The Propecia might thicken them but atleast maintain them. Adding minoxidil would be a good choice for growth and thickness. Try the 5% minoxidil.

 

[Stinger122]

Thank you Kalika, its nice to hear from you again my friend!

Wonder when the chat will be up again so we can just sit and relax there like we used to

Take care!

 

[Cassin]

Stinger, where I you I would save minoxidil till you need it. Which right now you don't. The wonderful thing about finasteride is, it is for keeping HAIR! minoxidil is for regrowing it! Big diff!

 

[Stinger122]

Thanks Cassin, but the main question and final one I have now is will Propecia thicken up my existing hairs?

As I do have lots of hair on my head but they are thin.. if they were thickened up by Propecia alone I wouldnt need anything else!