I read that you don’t advise starting both minoxidil and propecia at the same time at the risk of not knowing which is helping, as well as addicting the hair to both types of treatment.
Here’s my question: As a 22-year-old male with about a 3-inch receding hairline (straight back, not up toward the crown), which should I try first? And how long should I stay on that first treatment before stopping and trying the second, or simply adding the second to the mix?
If you’re trying to treat a receding hairline, either medication isn’t likely to regrow the frontal region, though it’s not impossible. Propecia is a prescription medication, so you should see a doctor to learn more about it. Minoxidil is available over the counter, but does most of it’s regrowth in the crown (which you said isn’t a problem).
I’m not your doctor and haven’t examined you though, so I really can’t say which medication you should try first… but I will say that Propecia can halt the hair loss from progressing further back, so that might be your best bet if your doctor agrees and prescribes it to you.
As for how long you should wait before starting a 2nd medication, that’s really a judgment call. If you stop either medication, you will lose any benefits they gave you.