When I Stopped Minoxidil, I Lost My Hair. Now I Am Starting Finasteride. Is That the Right Thing to Do?

These two drugs work differently, and when properly managed, they can work together, complementing the value of each drug. Your response to Minoxidil sounds great, so it may be reasonable to expect that you may not get the same effect on Finasteride without going back on Minoxidil.


2018-05-18 09:02:42When I Stopped Minoxidil, I Lost My Hair. Now I Am Starting Finasteride. Is That the Right Thing to Do?

Stopped minoxidil after 3 years and lost a lot of hair

About 3 years ago at age 28 I noticed the hair in and around my crown area was quite a bit thinner than the rest of my head. So I did some research and found that Minoxidil might do the trick. It was cheap and effective for a lot of people. I ordered the Kirkland brand stuff, and began a routine. I remained with the same thinning look so after 3 years, I didn’t think that I was getting any benefit from minoxidil and then stopped it. I had a massive hair shed within a couple of months.

While you were taking minoxidil you may have been replacing your native hair with new hair that was induced by the minoxidil and you just didn’t see this ‘swap’ happening. When you stopped the minoxidil, all of the new hair induced by minoxidil which was addicted to it, fell out. You might try going back on the minoxidil.


2020-12-06 10:35:34Stopped minoxidil after 3 years and lost a lot of hair

Stopped Finasteride and Dutasteride and Got My Sex Drive Back and It’s Stronger

I recently hopped off Finasteride (2.5yrs) and Dutasteride (3 months) because I didn’t feel they were helping my hair at all. I figured that if I were to have any real results, I’d need surgery. I’ve been off them the last 3 months and I miss the “side effects”. My facial hair grows much quicker now and thicker. I miss when I rarely having to shave. My libido is also ANNOYINGLY high. I’m feeling way more sexual these days, especially compared to the past. Now when I see attractive strangers, I can’t help but think sexual thoughts. It’s the most annoying thing. I feel distracted! Anyways, just a rant about things some of you guys might consider “side effects.” I need to think further if I can get this mindset back with a Dr.’s help.

Interesting comments.


2018-08-17 09:18:05Stopped Finasteride and Dutasteride and Got My Sex Drive Back and It’s Stronger

If I stop my finasteride and minoxidil

If I stop fin and or minox, is the rate of balding accelerated to greater than it would have been without trying treatment or just go back to pre treatment levels? thanks

When you stop these drugs you go back to point zero, where point zero is the amount of hair that you not only saved with these two drug but the amount of hair that you would have lost without taking these drug.

Stitches in the Donor Area

Hi Doc, Does the stiches which takes place at donor area hurt after HT? any headaches does it has to be protected from Sun etc for a long time

Thanks

Stitches are something you feel, but I would not say that they hurt. I am talking from my experience with stitches after my two hair transplants. The back hair covers the stitched area so you do not have to worry about the sun.


2007-03-22 08:32:30Stitches in the Donor Area

Stinging Eyes After Using Rogaine Foam

Dr. Rassman,

I recently started using Rogaine foam. I applied it at around 7pm and went to bed around 1 am. I wanted to be sure i didnt react negatively. I was fine until after i went to bed. Around 6 am i woke up with stinging and tearing up in both my eyes. I had to go to the bathroom and rinse out my eyes for about a minute. They were all red and puffy too. It seems like it might have been an allergic reaction, but is there also the possibility that some of the foam residue got onto my pillow and i rubbed my eyes into it during the night?(Because i applied a lot and all over my head). Also, after washing out my eyes i was fine. Have you heard of this before?

Minoxidil can be irritating and if you did get any into your eyes, what you are reporting is logical. If it should happen, be sure to wash out your eyes, under a shower with the water pouring into your eyes from hitting your forehead.

Stimulate Chest Hair Growth?

is there a product out there to stimulate chest hair growth?

No. If you are under age 30, you might be having delayed chest hair growth which might yet appear. Give me more details, like your age. I assuming that you are male — chest hair on women is not exactly socially acceptable in our society, of course.


2006-09-18 10:03:02Stimulate Chest Hair Growth?

Still Shedding Hair After a Year on Propecia

I’ve been on propecia for almost a year now and I noticed that I’ve started shedding hair after 2 months into the medication. Its almost a year now and I am still shedding hair, it looks like its becoming worse. The hair that is shedding has also become finer than usual. You mentioned that shedding usually occurs for a while and we should carry on for at least a year. Its a year now, so should I continue the medication?

It seems that your genetic predisposition may be winning the battle over Propecia. You should see your doctor who prescribed you the medication and discuss your options. You may consider adding Rogaine or even increasing the Propecia dose* (but again, discuss it with your doctor first). You may even consider having the HairDX Test for Finasteride Response done, which may explain a failure to respond to the drug. Have you had the status of your miniaturization compared with your pre-Propecia status? That would give you a great deal of information if you had that test done as miniaturization should have decreased on the drug.

* I have recently blogged of increasing the dose of Propecia on select few patients. This does not mean it works necessarily but for those few patients who have no side effects and are continuing to lose hair it may be worth a shot. Keep in mind there is no clinical study to suggest this approach is the solution.


2009-07-01 10:28:00Still Shedding Hair After a Year on Propecia