Time for minoxidil? (24, 3 yrs on finasteride)

[623]

Hi guys,

So I'm trying to decide when the right time to add minoxidil is. I've been on finasteride for over 3 years, with great results. I grew back a lot of density and it seems to have mostly halted my hairline (mature, maybe slightly past) as well as density loss. I'm pretty sure I have diffuse thinning combined with naturally very fine hair.

Ive noticed that my vertex seems to be showing more signs of thinning, but that I can mostly conceal it with short hair and by combing my whorl one direction. When my hair is wet it's a whole different story (looks awful).

Im experiencing a slow progression with great results from finasteride. When do I want to add minoxidil? The idea of possibly messing up what I have scares me and I'm not excited to start doing this refining every day. I've also read that it only makes your cycles sync up so you have thick hair sometimes and thin others. On the other hand I want to counteract the thinning as much as possible. I could also afford FUE if that is a better option down the road.

I will attach some pictures, some from Oct 2015 with short hair and some from today with longer hair. Getting my haircut tomorrow so I can add some more as well afterwards.

Current (long hair)

October 2015 (short hair)

October 2015 (long hair)

I know that I'm probably in a really good place considering my hairloss started at age 20, but just wanted to get some input as I get older.

Thanks!

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Old thread for reference as well: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/interact/showthread.php/90104-Success-with-5-finasteride-what-s-next

 

[myhairbegone]

I know this isnt what you asked but.

How long until you got results from finasteride? Did you shed?

We have very similar hair I think...thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

I know this isnt what you asked but.

How long until you got results from finasteride? Did you shed?

We have very similar hair I think...thanks.

 

[623]

If I remember correctly, I started shedding in a few weeks and started to see some regrowth probably 3-4 months in (could have been longer).

I wouldn't worry about the shed or the timing. If you need to go on finasteride, you need to start ASAP. No way around it.

Although I'm scared of both of these things for minoxidil so it's certainly something everyone deals with.

Edit-- I looked at your threads. Hard to compare wet and dry hair but you should stay on it. The shed can be scary as **** but it will grow back. The last thing I'd want to do is scare you off finasteride because your results might be slower than average. I was a fast/strong responder. Just got to give it time.

 

[623]

bump pls

 

[caida2]

your hair looks great, my hair is much worse and im only 20 years old

 

[tjp312]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm 26 and have been on finasteride for 5 years, with great density in front but some thinning in back, around my sworl. I want to start Rogain, but I'm terrified of the shed. Especially in the summer!

 

[megatron1234]

You could also up the dose of finasteride to 1mg daily.

 

[neddy2016]

It looks ok

 

[623]

Update August 2016. Not sure if it's changed much but still trying to decide if I should start rogaine. Sometimes I think it just looks like a whorl, sometimes it looks like a bald spot. Thoughts?
This is with my cowlick/whorl stretched apart. If you zoom in, theres definitely hair growing there.

Here is with hair parted the "bad" way.

Hair parted the "good" way

Different light


And finally, sunlight:


Let me know what you think. Might start rogaine in the winter but idk. Seems stable with finasteride for last ~4 yrs :/

 

[Pavi]

Hair looks great dude.... Wouldn't touch minoxidil yet