Question for board

[AZJ]

I'm 21, balding, and have been on Propecia for a little over four months, Rogaine Extra Strength for almost five months and I use Nizoral every 3-4 days. So far, I haven't seen much improvement and my balding is definitely continuing.

Being that I haven't had improvement, should I drop the Rogaine? Am I supposed to keep going? Can Rogaine actually make me lose more hair?

As for the Propecia, I assume that four months and a few days isn't long enough to know if it is going to work. How long did it take people here to work? Should I add anything else to my regimen?

I really appreciate your help, guys.

 

[JustinTime]

In my opinion you should give it more time. I don't think you should drop anything yet.

 

[ShedMaster]

In my opinion you should give it more time. I don't think you should drop anything yet.

I agree, give it atleast 8 months, maybe a year. Many have been in the same boat as you only to experience very nice regrowth after an extended time, such as 8-10 months.

Has your hair changed at all? better texture to the hair or anything else?

 

[umab]

Regarding finasteride people usually see first results after 6months but it may last longer.

I am in month 7 of using minoxidil and I really see good results. I saw first improvement in month 3.

Hard to say if finasteride which I have been taking for 4months already does its work or not.

Be patient and good luck.

 

[The Gardener]

I think it is far too early for you to give up hope. In four months your hair have not yet completed a full growth cycle, so you do not yet know what might still be happening in the scalp.

I'd stick with it, the general rule of thumb I have heard here is that you really need to give something a year of effort before dismissing it... especially in regards to the finasteride.

The Minoxidil issue surprises me a bit more. Although it is common not to see any results after 4 months, I would think that you would at least see some subtle signs that it is at least making some changes to your hair. Did you have a shed after you started Minoxidil? Are you seeing ANYTHING different, like a subtle change in the pigmentation of the tiny hairs around the balding areas?

 

[AZJ]

I had a really big shed a couple weeks after starting the Minoxidil. I haven't noticed much change in anything else, but obviously, change is slow so I'm not sure.

I really don't know if I have better texture. After using Nizoral, my hair seems pretty good, albeit thin, for a couple days afterwards.

 

[The Gardener]

Yeah, the Nizoral can do a number on your hair sometimes... I'd recommend a quality conditioner after using nizoral.

The shed you had indicates to me that the minoxidil had SOME effect on your hair. The resting phase of the hair growth cycle is approx 100 days... so even the hair you shed might not yet have had a chance to make itself seen. I'd give it a little more time.