Does Minoxidil/finasteride Work Equally Well For All Ethnicities?

[SpikeCB]

I have been wondering if generally the efficacy of Minoxidil and Finasteride is lesser for Indian men. Can anyone tell me their experience with them? A more general question is if all ethnicities respond equally well (or not) to these drugs.

For background I am in my early 20's with a family history of male pattern baldness (I noticed that the top of my head was thinning in density when I was just 17 years). I went to a Trichologist and he wrote a prescription to use 5% minoxidil (along with 1mg finasteride on my insistence). I have been using them for a year now. Initially I noticed increased shedding in the first 2 months followed by stable maintenance. Unfortunately I had subtle gynecomastia side affects from the finasteride and had to discontinue it for a few months. After the sides went away I slowly started taking finasteride again, once every other day for ~2-3 months. I admit I was not very religious in following a schedule (some days I would skip or apply the Minoxidil only once a day). Recently I noticed that the top of my head is shockingly sparse (My hairline is fine and I generally cut my hair short and only see how dense my hair is after a few months). My scalp is clearly visible (see photo). I don't have a baseline pic but believe me it was not this bad. Even though my usage has been slightly irregular I feel there should have at least been maintenance.

Which brings me to my original point. I have seen posts mentioning that the Japanese responded best to finasteride. Most of the posters are American or European and the results seem to be great for some and not so well for others. Or it could just be that my male pattern baldness is aggressive and there is no hope for me.

 

[1212]

In my limited knowledge, I don’t believe the pharmacological actions of minoxidil or finasteride discriminate against certain ethnicities. However, on an individual scale, it’s possible your body simply doesn’t react well to it. Maybe try to be more religious about applying it and stay very strict about your regimen with little to no exceptions. That’s probably the only way to see how well you can truly respond to it at this point. Do that for 6 months to a year at minimum before drawing any conclusions. Then report back of course.

 

[Alphalete]

white privilege tbh

 

[SpikeCB]

In my limited knowledge, I don’t believe the pharmacological actions of minoxidil or finasteride discriminate against certain ethnicities. However, on an individual scale, it’s possible your body simply doesn’t react well to it. Maybe try to be more religious about applying it and stay very strict about your regimen with little to no exceptions. That’s probably the only way to see how well you can truly respond to it at this point. Do that for 6 months to a year at minimum before drawing any conclusions. Then report back of course.

Thanks, at this point that's all I can do I guess. I am going to add Nizoral and dermastamping once a week to my regimen. I am taking some baseline pictures (after getting a crew cut) so that I can compare every few months.

 

[SpikeCB]

white privilege tbh

I don't get what you mean. I was simply wondering if I was wasting effort if it happens to be that certain ethnicities don't respond well to hair loss drugs (I am of Indian origin if that was not clear). I see from your regimen that you use a dermaroller once a week. Would you say that it has helped?

 

[reyl]

He was being facetious.

 

[Alphalete]

I don't get what you mean. I was simply wondering if I was wasting effort if it happens to be that certain ethnicities don't respond well to hair loss drugs (I am of Indian origin if that was not clear). I see from your regimen that you use a dermaroller once a week. Would you say that it has helped?

im just messing around, id say derma works but i only recommend doing it if you have short hair / not dry skin / dry hair

 

[BetaBoy]

Not sure how much truth there is to it but anecdotally it is said that asians respond better to finasteride/dutasteride/min, @zeroheat would probably be a good example (went bordeline NW3 to NW0)