Possible Minoxidil Shedding Question

[MontyWockenfuss]

I've been using minoxidil and nizoral for two months and Ive seen good results. Im on Day 3 of finasteride.

I've been using minoxiidl primarily on my crown and on my temples. When I got out of the shower this morning, I noticed that I have generally thinning in my mid-scalp region that I hadnt really noticed before. Could the minoxidil on my crown and temples make my hair shed elsewhere? Could this just be general diffuse thinning? If so, will the situation be improved after a month of finasteride? (I've read that the first thing you notice after a month is general thickening).

Best,

MW

 

[x5o]

I doubt that you will see any thickening within the first month unless you are using a cosmetic thickening agent. Quite the opposite, many find they thin during the firsts months of treatment. This is usually a good sign, although VERY frustrating. I personally did not shed with proscar, but have always shed with minoxidil. usually begining by the end of the first week. I have never lasted more than 9 weeks on minoxidil. because of this dreaded shed. I am in my ninth week of minoxidil. therapy. This is my 4th attempt at the medication. I am going to give it another month or two. If I am still shedding I will stop minoxidil. Good luck to you.

 

[MontyWockenfuss]

Anyone else have any idea if minoxidil makes you shed all over or just in the area you're applying it to?

 

[x5o]

I have only shed on top where I was applying the minoxidil. and by the way, coincidentally, yesterday I noticed that the shedding had stopped. Nine weeks seemed to be the magic number for me. No shedding today either. keeping my fingers crossed. Hoping it's not a fluke. Also, coincidentally, I Just rec.'d Rogaines reply to my inquiry about shedding yesterday. They say that 2 to 4 weeks is normal. And that one should consult a Dr. if it continues longer than 6 weeks. In other words, they don't know how long is to long.

 

[The Gardener]

Anyone else have any idea if minoxidil makes you shed all over or just in the area you're applying it to?

Generally speaking, if you DO shed it will only make you shed in the area where you are applying it. However, when you apply minoxidil, it doesn't just hit that one spot on the scalp where the droplet fell... it gets absorbed into the skin and spreads around through the vascular system in the scalp. This means that the medicine DOES affect other areas of the head, and might very well cause shedding in areas other than where the actual droplets of minoxidil are being applied.