Stopping minoxidil but continuing finasteride; what would happen?

[anonymous]

So let's say you're on both finasteride and minoxidil. The finasteride inhibits DHT from further damaging your follicles, while minoxidil energizes and promotes growth. Let's say you've used both with success for a long period, let's say, 1 year on both.

If you stop minoxidil at that point, theoretically, the finasteride should maintain the progress right? If you stop the minoxidil, and your DHT is being inhibited, then the follicle shouldn't collapse on itself or otherwise take damage from DHT to the extent that the follicle will just die.

OR is the minoxidil allowing the follicles to grow beyond capacity, that is, it promotes growth above and beyond what finasteride can maintain, therefore, stopping minoxidil will cause the follicles to scale back a little until it's comfortable being supported by finasteride?

 

[Bowser]

Yes, the latter part of your theory is probably correct although i don't think its as simple as that even. I wouldn't stop minoxidil once you have started esp if you feel it is has been beneficial.

 

[ChrisW1980uk]

As far as I know, the two work in entirely different ways. So any gains from minoxidil will be lost when you stop using it, and finasteride will not preserve minoxidil dependent hair. Otherwise we would all use minoxidil for a year and then stop.

 

[anonymous]

As far as I know, the two work in entirely different ways. So any gains from minoxidil will be lost when you stop using it, and finasteride will not preserve minoxidil dependent hair. Otherwise we would all use minoxidil for a year and then stop.

Right, but if you stopped minoxidil but finasteride was working, what exactly is happening to your hair once you stop minoxidil? Theoretically it would still be DHT causing the progression, but if finasteride stops the DHT, wouldn't you be able to maintain?

And I know these are unfair questions seeing as we don't exactly know everything about why male pattern baldness happens.

 

[talmoode]

Minxoidil is for regrowth and finasteride is for maintenance. I am no expert but Minoxidil stimulates blood flow in scalp and gives dying/thinning hair some extra boost. these hairs are already affected by DHT and can't be saved by finasteride. so stopping Minoxidil is like switching off a coma patient's life support machine.

 

[Bowser]

Minxoidil is for regrowth and finasteride is for maintenance. I am no expert but Minoxidil stimulates blood flow in scalp and gives dying/thinning hair some extra boost. these hairs are already affected by DHT and can't be saved by finasteride. so stopping Minoxidil is like switching off a coma patient's life support machine.

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