Why can't I use Rogain if I don't have hereditary hair loss?

[maidstone]

I've been doing some research (including reading the actual packaging) and they all say that I should not use Rogain if I do not have a family history of hair loss. Why is this? What difference does it make if your hair loss is hereditary or because of other reasons?

The reason I ask is I don't know if my hair loss is hereditary or not. My dad didn't start losing his hair until he was in his late 40s. Does that make it hereditary?

 

[TheGrayMan2001]

Most hair loss is hereditary. Chances are yours is male pattern baldness too.

 

[Kev123]

Going bald after 20, going bald after 30, going bald after 40, going bald after 50,it doesn't really matter. male pattern baldness does not strike at one particular age. Some males experience male pattern baldness as teenagers, others start in their 30s, it can happen when they're 50. You have male pattern baldness unless your doctor says otherwise. Just because your father started losing hair after 40 doesn't mean you'll start losing hair after 40, you can start 20 years earlier or 20 years later than you dad did. Ask your doctor what he/she thinks. Good luck.

 

[Bryan]

I've been doing some research (including reading the actual packaging) and they all say that I should not use Rogain if I do not have a family history of hair loss. Why is this?

I honestly have the exact OPPOSITE opinion to that: you shouldn't use Rogaine (by itself) if you _do_ have a family history of hair loss! Why not? Because topical minoxidil does nothing to interfere with the fundamental balding process. You will very likely continue to go bald, even while using Rogaine. Your wallet will get thinner, too.

 

[maidstone]

Thanks for the comments guys

@Bryan

Interesting thought. I'm currently already taking Propecia (1mg a day) as of a week ago just to retain the hair I already have now. I'm just wondering if I should add Rogain to the mix for some extra fullness. However I've read from some success stories that your hair becomes dependent on Rogain to grow from then forth and I don't want to put that upon myself if my situation was never that severe in the first place. It's mostly my temples that concern me but if I was probably less obsessed about my hair, I probably wouldn't give a damn.

 

[maidstone]

If your hairloss is hereditary use it with an androgen-inhibitor...your best defense! If it is not hereditary use it with an androgen-inhibitor....your best offense. After that....try to figure out what is causing it!

That's good advice. What concerns me as I've said before, is that I've read that your hair becomes dependent on Rogain to grow from then forth. I'm only 21 and the idea of having to use rogain for the next 20 - 30 years naturally bugs me

 

[Bryan]

...What concerns me as I've said before, is that I've read that your hair becomes dependent on Rogain to grow from then forth. I'm only 21 and the idea of having to use rogain for the next 20 - 30 years naturally bugs me

I'm not sure what you're saying. The only part of your hair that's "dependent" on minoxidil is any EXTRA growth that you get from it. If you stop using it at some later date, you lose that extra growth, and it goes back to the way it would have been had you never used Rogaine at all. Is THAT what you're talking about? :dunno:

 

[maidstone]

Yes it is! thanks for clearing that up. I suppose there isn't much harm if I give it go

 

[shineman921]

Defo us Rogaine/Regaine foam in the mornings. It's very good and does dry in 10 mins. It is also better than any mousse I've ever used for my very fine hair!

 

[maidstone]

Defo us Rogaine/Regaine foam in the mornings. It's very good and does dry in 10 mins. It is also better than any mousse I've ever used for my very fine hair!

Oh i don't doubt its performance. Having to go through the shedding process before new hair grows and the commitment of applying it day and night for the next several months does deter me somewhat.

I do have another question for everyone.

Does Rogaine only shed hair that is already in the Telogen/dormant state? That is, hair that I'm going to lose anyway?

I've read that a lot of people here suffer intense shedding before their regrowth. But if Rogain only sheds hair in the telogen state, then shouldn't it be only around 10% of your hair that should be shedding?

 

[shineman921]

.....never experienced any shedding what-so-ever and I've gone through periods in which I've used the 15% minoxidil from MOPC Labs.

 

[maidstone]

.....never experienced any shedding what-so-ever and I've gone through periods in which I've used the 15% minoxidil from MOPC Labs.

are you on finasteride by any chance? finasteride is suppose to make you shed severely since it effects your whole scalp unlike rogain where you just shed in areas you apply it to

 

[shineman921]

No, minoxidil and Nizoral only. I do also take the Saw Palmetto based 'health' tablets that I'm not allowed to mention on here too. Probably will stop that and just use Saw Palmetto. I put the minoxidil, wrongly or rightly, all over the scalp rather than target the specific areas. No shedding at all. However, one strange side effect is that I'm getting more and more grey hair coming through. Didn't have any before I started on minoxidil!! OK, I'm 43, but grey hair doesn't run in the family. I'm a little concerned about that, in case it's damaging my hair. Some of the grey hair is much thicker than my natural hair which in very, very fine!