Question about Minoxidil

[Patrick54]

I'm new here and to the different treatments, (Hello Everyone)I did start using generic 5% minoxidil a few days ago I read in the information sheet that was in the box that "In studies with Minoxidil topical solution 5%, hair regrowth has not been shown to last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment in large clinical trials." So my question is what are they saying, does it stop growing hair at 48 weeks?

 

[KANGA]

Many people on here have had minoxidil work for them for years.

 

[Patrick54]

Thanks Kanga. That had me a little worried.

 

[Bryan]

I read in the information sheet that was in the box that "In studies with Minoxidil topical solution 5%, hair regrowth has not been shown to last longer than 48 weeks of continuous treatment in large clinical trials." So my question is what are they saying, does it stop growing hair at 48 weeks?

I think that's an admission that using topical minoxidil ALONE doesn't really interfere with the fundamental balding process. Long-term studies have almost all shown that haircounts gradually decline over time (I can think of only one exception to that general rule). So you want to use something else along with the minoxidil (like maybe finasteride) which _does_ interfere with the fundamental balding process.

 

[Patrick54]

Thanks Bryan, I need all the help I can get. (NW6) I am thinking about adding dutasteride a little down the road as it seems it has the most likely hood of growing hair, I still have some short white hairs where I'm bald and I'm thinking that might work although I'm pretty sure I would have to be a very good responder.

 

[OverMachoGrande]

Bryan is right, a topical alone may work for awhile but adding finasteride or dutasteride would be the ideal way to go. I actually started with minoxidil 5% alone and did regrow ALOT of hair but after about 2 years or so my results started to dwindle so I started finasteride and eventually dutasteride and stabilzed my hair once again. Good luck Patrick and welcome to HairLossTalk.com again!!

 

[Patrick54]

Thanks PropeciaJunkie, and I thank you for welcoming me to this site also, I just wish I would have found this place years ago.

 

[OverMachoGrande]

Glad you are here and good luck in your fight!!! These guys here are the best and can help you with any questions you have.

 

[Patrick54]

Thanks again PropeciaJunkie, seems like a bunch of great people here and we are all striving for the same goal. Hows your experience with dutasteride? From what I read on it, it's probably my only hope of growing the hair I'd like.

 

[OverMachoGrande]

Thanks again PropeciaJunkie, seems like a bunch of great people here and we are all striving for the same goal. Hows your experience with dutasteride? From what I read on it, it's probably my only hope of growing the hair I'd like.

I would not say it's your only hope. My results are going well with dutasteride but I am not sure I would recommend you start with it (although it is your choice). I started with finasteride and progressed to a regemen that incorpates both but if I were you I would give finasteride a shot first and then tweak it from there. Some people who respond to finasteride do not respond to dutasteride and vice versa but everyone is different. No doubt dutasteride is a powerful weapon though.

No matter what you choose, please keep us posted and let us know how things go. in the meantime search the Success Story forums and you can see other guys results and what they used as well.

 

[Patrick54]

You very well could be right, I'm learning quite a bit from all of you, I bought some MSM and some Miconazole nitrate today so I'll be adding them to the minoxidil and Nizoral.