Time to quit minoxidil?

[Hammer]

I have been using 5% minoxidil for approximately four years (for most of that time just once a day, a small amount at the temples/hairline).

During that time, I have experienced no shedding, no sides, no regrowth and my hair has continued to continually slowly get worse (despite being on finasteride).

I have continued using minoxidil partially out of habit and because it's cheap, but also clutching at straws and thinking that "maybe it's slowing things down/helping maintain but I just haven't noticed". However, facing facts, I feel it simply hasn't worked for me at all. I also understand that minoxidil isn't something which "slows down" hair loss (it either regrows hair or it doesn't).

I have read horror stories about what can happen if you quit minoxidil, but presumably this is where people have gained/maintained hair only because of minoxidil which they have then lost once quitting minoxidil?

In my case, minoxidil seems to have done nothing for me and Rogaine instructions say to quit if no "results" are seen after a year.

In the circumstances, if there any good reason why I should continue with minoxidil?

 

[Hairloss23]

Yes I'm afraid by the sounds of it you're not a responder, around 1/3rds to 1/2 of people who try minoxidil aren't responders, for some (like myself) minoxidil even exacerbates their hair loss and makes them lose quicker. I'm afraid you've wasted 4 years worth of minoxidil my friend. A fair bit of money . I think you should quit if you have not gotten any regrowth.

 

[oye_rg]

I would advise to try quitting at an (obscure but male pattern baldness prone) area of your head first. See what happens for 4-5 months and then take a call.

This will save you the unlikely but potential shock just in case this makes you lose lot of hair suddenly.

 

[abovedagame]

Did you try the foam? Many report less irritation with it. Also, many use minoxidil just once daily with success.

 

[Hammer]

I've never used foam, but from what I've read the liquid is more effective.

I used to use minoxidil twice a day, albeit both in evening due to daily my routine (at around 6pm and 10pm) but saw no difference when reducing to just once per day.

Thanks for the replies. Seems I am a non responder. I will cut usage to every other day just to wean myself off over the course of two months before quitting I think.

Now to try and find an alternative... I have used prox-n with no response also