Rogaine until it doesn't work, then start propecia?

[kckckc]

Hi - I've been reading about the long term effectiveness of rogaine and many have concluded that the average duration of effectiveness is up to 5 years or so (though it could be 1 year or 12 years, this is just the average).

All male pattern baldness treatments lose effectiveness at some point. Since after coming from the derm, and he has indeed confirm that male pattern baldness is in its early stages, and suggested I start with rogaine for the first 6 months to see if it will regrow parts of my crown... should I just use rogaine until it no longer have any positive effects on the crown?

Since all male pattern baldness treatments, even the mighty finasteride, loses effectiveness at some point... I'm planning to do the following:

Age: 26
minoxidil + Tricomin 3-5 years: 29-31
Start finasteride and combo it with minoxidil : 32

Which means that both finasteride and minoxidil will lose its effectiveness by the time I'm age 42 or so.

 

[yetti]

This plan is exactly what I'm doing, so I'd have to say yes, go for it. I started Rogaine a few months ago, and so far so good, it's working. I plan to use it until it stops working, and then make a decision about Propecia.

 

[Eren]

All we know is that finasteride still works even after 10 years (Rossi et al, 2011). I have no clue at all where you got the idea of "decreased effectiveness" of finasteride. The hormone levels of men change over time. Decreased effectiveness of finasteride is just broscience. You go even beyond that point by stating that finasteride loses its effectiveness, well, that is just completely wrong. A citation from this study of Rossi et all (2011) tells us the following:

"Our results showed also that in contrast with
what usually observed with other medications, finasteride
efficacy is not going to be reduced over
time, especially in the older group since it is well
known what happen to androgens in that age in
men subjects".

I hope that it is perfectly clear that what you're saying about finasteride is deadwrong!

Regarding minoxidil, it will always work, however, as you're not actually fighting hair loss from its roots (DHT), you will lose hair over the years, but MUCH less than if you would not have done anything.

My advice, if you haven't started minoxidil, then start with finasteride first. Use it a year, see what your results are and if you want, you can always add min to the regimen.

 

[lmao9955]

Finasteride should be the first line of attack against hairloss. I made a huge mistake by starting Rogaine earlier.
There is no guarantee on how long Rogaine will work on its own. For some it works 5 years, mostly 2 and some for a few months as long as your genes permit it to. Each individual responds differently to the drug so we can't say anything.
My advice : Start Finasteride. Asses results after 6-12 months. Of happy with the regrowth then stick to Finasteride otherwise add Rogaine.

 

[Norwood]

I've heard some people say that Rogaine ages your face.

 

[kckckc]

The only reason why I haven't started finasteride yet is only because I'm afraid of the side effects (even if it's affecting a small % of the users).

My derm actually told me to start rogaine for the first 6 months and then decide whether I should use finasteride or not.

I'm starting a family soon, and want to eliminate any possibilities it might have with conception (impotency, fertility)

 

[lmao9955]

The only reason why I haven't started finasteride yet is only because I'm afraid of the side effects (even if it's affecting a small % of the users).

My derm actually told me to start rogaine for the first 6 months and then decide whether I should use finasteride or not.

I'm starting a family soon, and want to eliminate any possibilities it might have with conception (impotency, fertility)

You have two options :
1. Use simply Rogaine and keep your hair for a short time.
2. Add Finasteride to the mix and keep your hair for 10-15 years.

If you actually love your hair, please start Finasteride. Look man each individual responds differently. You will never know until you take the drug for yourself.
At least take a small dose of 0.25mg or 0.5 mg. Won't hurt to atleast try the drug. If you get side effects effects you can stop the drug.

 

[Iopu]

I've heard some people say that Rogaine ages your face.

It definantly hasn't aged my face.

 

[kckckc]

You have two options :
1. Use simply Rogaine and keep your hair for a short time.
2. Add Finasteride to the mix and keep your hair for 10-15 years.

If you actually love your hair, please start Finasteride. Look man each individual responds differently. You will never know until you take the drug for yourself.
At least take a small dose of 0.25mg or 0.5 mg. Won't hurt to atleast try the drug. If you get side effects effects you can stop the drug.

I've heard from this forum that Rogaine will always work, but if the male pattern baldness is aggressive, rogaine won't work alone, is that true?

The cost is a concern for me too... if I'm dishing out about $100 each month for the next 10-15 years, it would be great if I can delay that as long as possible.

My hairline hasn't receded and only my crown has been thinning.

Maybe I'll get a pill cutter and start off with .25mg or .5mg.

 

[Goldee Lox]

I'm in the same boat.

 

[myhairbegone]

I've heard from this forum that Rogaine will always work, but if the male pattern baldness is aggressive, rogaine won't work alone, is that true?

The cost is a concern for me too... if I'm dishing out about $100 each month for the next 10-15 years, it would be great if I can delay that as long as possible.

My hairline hasn't receded and only my crown has been thinning.

Maybe I'll get a pill cutter and start off with .25mg or .5mg.

I am in the exact same boat as you. It is a hard declension man. I have a script for finasteride sitting in my desk, but not sure what I should do. Right now I am just taking zinc + biotin but I know that does next to nothing.

 

[Goldee Lox]

Seems like the general consensus on this site is to get on finasteride before anything else.. I get the logic behind this approach, but there are many reasons why guys would want to try minoxidil first. I'd like to know if there are guys out there that have had long term success using Minoxidil alone. Their male pattern baldness would have to have been of an mild nature I'm sure, if there are.

 

[Pavi]

Seems like the general consensus on this site is to get on finasteride before anything else.. I get the logic behind this approach, but there are many reasons why guys would want to try minoxidil first. I'd like to know if there are guys out there that have had long term success using Minoxidil alone. Their male pattern baldness would have to have been of an mild nature I'm sure, if there are.

I am in the same boat. Started rogaine 3 months ago and I'm definitely benefiting from the drug. If u go the minoxidil route you have to be RELIGIOUS with your applications. I haven't missed a single dose.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, no skin aging. That's online hysteria.

 

[tab531]

You have two options :
1. Use simply Rogaine and keep your hair for a short time.
2. Add Finasteride to the mix and keep your hair for 10-15 years.

If you actually love your hair, please start Finasteride. Look man each individual responds differently. You will never know until you take the drug for yourself.
At least take a small dose of 0.25mg or 0.5 mg. Won't hurt to atleast try the drug. If you get side effects effects you can stop the drug.

"keep your hair for 10-15 years."

Where are you getting these numbers?

 

[WangMQ]

My advice: take finasteride alone for 6 month+ and evaluate the results. Don't be so hasty with minoxidil.
Reasons:
1. finasteride alone works great for crown.
2. minoxidil works by accelerating your hair's life cycles. If you use finasteride at the same time it's probably fine. But if your follicles are still exposed to DHT your are getting results with minoxidil by "overloading" your follicles, which reduces lone term results.Keep in mind that follicles actually have limited amounts of life cycles.

PS I've been on finasteride and minoxidil for more than 7 years (started together). Worked well for my crown, maintained my hairline for 4-5 years, after which slow recession started. So I guess the voices about reduced effect are true.

Also about the skin aging problem, for me it's probably true. And I 've seen research pointing the relation between facial skin aging and minoxidil (something to do with collagen). Again everyone's different, so an side effect doesn't fall on some guy doesn't mean it won't happen to YOU.

 

[yetti]

2. minoxidil works by accelerating your hair's life cycles. If you use finasteride at the same time it's probably fine. But if your follicles are still exposed to DHT your are getting results with minoxidil by "overloading" your follicles, which reduces lone term results.Keep in mind that follicles actually have limited amounts of life cycles.

So, you are saying that if you use minoxidil your hair follicle will die sooner than if you don't? Where is your evidence for this claim?