Why does Minoxidil stop working?

[Nuli]

Ive read from multiple people that Minoxidil loses its effectiveness after a certain amount of years. Is there any studies that prove this? Is it just the progression of male pattern baldness that makes it seem like its not working or does the scalp become immune to it?

 

[Bryan]

There's a very limited number of long-term topical minoxidil studies and the ones that do exist aren't always very carefully designed, so your questions can't really be answered definitively; however, I feel that the most likely situation is that topical minoxidil continues to work as long as you apply it, but it gradually gets overtaken by the progression of male pattern baldness.

 

[Quantum Cat]

There's a very limited number of long-term topical minoxidil studies and the ones that do exist aren't always very carefully designed, so your questions can't really be answered definitively; however, I feel that the most likely situation is that topical minoxidil continues to work as long as you apply it, but it gradually gets overtaken by the progression of male pattern baldness.

that's pretty much the same with Finasteride too, right? It's a losing battle?

 

[Bryan]

I think finasteride has far more of a maintaining effect than minoxidil.

 

[Petchsky]

There's a very limited number of long-term topical minoxidil studies and the ones that do exist aren't always very carefully designed, so your questions can't really be answered definitively; however, I feel that the most likely situation is that topical minoxidil continues to work as long as you apply it, but it gradually gets overtaken by the progression of male pattern baldness.

that's pretty much the same with Finasteride too, right? It's a losing battle?

For some maybe, but there are people taking finasteride for 12+ years with no further loss. So, it's by no means a foregone conclusion as yet.

 

[Quantum Cat]

There's a very limited number of long-term topical minoxidil studies and the ones that do exist aren't always very carefully designed, so your questions can't really be answered definitively; however, I feel that the most likely situation is that topical minoxidil continues to work as long as you apply it, but it gradually gets overtaken by the progression of male pattern baldness.

that's pretty much the same with Finasteride too, right? It's a losing battle?

For some maybe, but there are people taking finasteride for 12+ years with no further loss. So, it's by no means a foregone conclusion as yet.

that's reassuring

 

[JWM]

I think it's the same story with all treatments. The sooner you start, the more likely you will maintain longer.

 

[Bryan]

I think it's the same story with all treatments. The sooner you start, the more likely you will maintain longer.

I don't think topical minoxidil maintains AT ALL, except in a very superficial sense (the "offset of growth" effect). Therefore, finasteride would have it all over minoxidil in the long-term.

 

[striker9]

I think none of the treatments lose effect.

You continue to lose hair, but think if you won't were taking both you would have lost much much much more hair.

The best is to use both forever if possible,.

 

[elvis123]

I always thought that maybe your body just gets used to it over time, but after reading bryan's post it sorta makes more sense that male pattern baldness just gradually takes over....

That really sucks....plus the fact that there is a chance of so many unwanted side effects while taking finasteride or minoxidil over the years as well, in a way it's sort of a double negative situation imo...

 

[tembo]

So if Rogaine is growing hair on your face if you apply it there like some of those guys in that Rogaine beard megathread, will it stop working there too after some years?

 

[Bryan]

So if Rogaine is growing hair on your face if you apply it there like some of those guys in that Rogaine beard megathread, will it stop working there too after some years?

I give up.

 

[Old Baldy]

So if Rogaine is growing hair on your face if you apply it there like some of those guys in that Rogaine beard megathread, will it stop working there too after some years?

Beard hairs "like" androgens. male pattern baldness "infected" scalp follicles don't "like" androgens.

Minoxidil will not cure the bad effect of androgens on male pattern baldness "infected" follicles. male pattern baldness just carries on in its own merry way.

Beard hairs don't suffer from this problem. In fact, beard hairs, as we know, oftentimes "like" androgens.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Bryan, do think long term minoxidil would work better on someone who's male pattern baldness is not so aggressive or very slow progressing male pattern baldness.

 

[Bryan]

Bryan, do think long term minoxidil would work better on someone who's male pattern baldness is not so aggressive or very slow progressing male pattern baldness.

Sure. Everything would, including minoxidil. In fact, I would say ESPECIALLY minoxidil, since it doesn't seem to affect the balding process by itself.

 

[elvis123]

So I've been thinking Bryan.....if a person who has very mild male pattern baldness, and in mild male pattern baldness I mean a gradual norwood 3 by the age of 60...would be able to maintain a full head of hair for the rest of his life with finasteride and minoxidil if he kept using it?