minoxidil/propecia lose effectiveness over time?

[pgaffer123]

Hi, I did a search for this question, but didn't see it. I've been using propecia and 5% minoxidil (Xandox 5%) for over 2 years for thinning hair and a small bald spot on top back of head. It seemed to do the trick. However, lately, I've been sweeping the hair off of the bathroom floor every 2-3 days to keep it clean. I'm concerned my regime is losing effectiveness.

Does minoxidil/propecia lose effectiveness over time? :unsure:

Thank you very much.

 

[the_beast]

It technically doesn't lose effectiveness no. However, you will need to continue to increase the strength of your minoxidil because the follicles will "seem" to stop responding after a while. The propecia will still do it's job just fine, but as you age your follicles become more susceptible to the effects of DHT.

You may want to look into using a stronger minoxidil and add topical Spironolactone 2%.

 

[triton2]

Minoxidil doesn't lose effectiveness, the terrain on which the 'extra offset of growth' is built just goes down, so it's normal for the 'building' to be farther from the sky.
Propecia doesn't lose effectiveness either, it still maintains your DHT levels low; it's your hair's decision to go on falling even in the presence of low levels of DHT... but finasteride is still doing its job... hadn't you ever taken it your hair should be much worse (even if you continue to lose and have less hair than you had before having started the treatment).

 

[Britannia]

The effectiveness of Propecia is unknown after 5 years use. It hasnt been studied.
Minoxidil only provides extra offset of growth which will decrease in cosmetic value over time as male pattern baldness progresses.

 

[pgaffer123]

thank you

Very helpful…thank you….I think I get the jest of it… By using Minoxidil (Xandrox 5%) and Propecia, I am only postponing the inevitable but at least I am postponing it. Now, the question is, on average, how much additional postponing does increasing the Minoxidil strength to 15% and/or adding spironolactone 2% or 5%? I’ll try to search the forum for the answer. Thanks again.