Category: Drugs

I am a 21 year old male who has recently (6 weeks ago) started using Rogaine foam. I had noticed the hair at my temples thinning but the hair elsewhere on my head I was happy with- it has been the same thickness (I THINK) since I was 16.

I have a couple quick questions which I would be extremely grateful that you answered to put my mind at ease!

Firstly, will 5% minoxidil foam help this type of balding? I have only been applying the foam to my temple area. Secondly, since starting the treatment, my hair has been shedding more ALL OVER. This has lasted the whole 6 weeks (getting slightly better now). I have noticed this is said to be a good sign but should the shedding last this long and is it normal for the minoxidil to affect the hair I haven’t applied it too? Finally, the texture of my hair has changed all over since beginning treatment, feeling more dry and lifeless. Is this normal or should I be worried?

Thank You!

Rogaine Foam is meant for use on the top, crown, or vertex area of the scalp. It is not likely to work on the front temples. I realize many people apply the foam to the front areas, but it will have minimal effect (if any).

Rogaine should not cause hair loss or shedding of hair all over the scalp, though it may cause some initial shedding in the first month, as I have heard some people mention this phenomenon. With continued use it should grow back.

I am not aware of changes in texture of hair being a common side effect, though I suppose the alcohol in the treatment could be the culprit.

Doc, I can fly. Is that a side effect of Propecia? Reading your blog makes me laugh, because it seems like everyone blames every single bad thing in their life on Propecia. Propecia has allowed me to keep a full head of hair and I have had zero side effects from it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think you’re right — I have definitely noticed a lot of blame pointed toward this medication. Not many men will write about the positive benefits of Propecia, as they use the medication without any problems and go on with their lives. It’s those that feel they’ve been wronged that become the most vocal.

The side effect risk from Propecia is in the range of 1 to 2% of the men who take it. Those 1 to 2% are the most vocal, along with possibly another 10% of men just need a cause to rally behind, like the building bandwagon against Propecia.

Hi,

2 questions – first, when I previously used Propecia, 12 months after I quit, my hairline and frontal region, my areas of concern, didn’t look or feel different. 24 months after quitting, it looks much worse…I thought all hair is lost 12 months post quitting, does this mean that my recent loss is unrelated to quitting the medication?

Second, I am thinking of getting back on Propecia for the hairline, I am a NW 3, just looking to get back some of the loss in the last 12 months, is this doable?

Thanks!

It’s interesting that the Propecia held for a year… or at least, the hair stayed for a year after discontinuing the medication. That is unusual. I suspect that hair loss was really a start-up of a new hair loss process, but I really do not know or have any way to know for sure.

You can restart the Propecia and see what happens. Usually there will be some benefits, but the full benefit you originally got will probably not occur the second time around. Talk to your prescribing doctor.

Hi, Just wanted to say that your blog is amazing! It’s helped me to answer so many questions.

Now i was just wondering, i started propecia on monday (2 days ago) and have there been any reported cases of lowered libido immediately after taking propecia which die down in the coming months? Thanks

If you have a libido side effect from Propecia, it might take weeks or months to appear… not a couple of days. The power of suggestion is very significant in those who get libido effects, so worrying about it is going to do more harm than you may realize.

Then again, I suppose the power of suggestion from reading this post may be in competition from the power of suggestion from other information you are inundated with.

Is it safe for a 50 year old woman that has no uterus to take Finasteride for hair loss

Yes. Finasteride is often tried in post-menopausal women, but the results are a mixed bag and the drug will not reliably return more hair to the thinning areas. There is an androgen sensitivity test for women by HairDX that could help determine if you’ll see possible benefits from the medication. Read more about that here.

Finasteride is a prescription drug, so you should discuss this further with your doctor.

Hi,

I’ve written previously on your blog. Big fan of this website. Im a 22 year old suffering from male pattern hair loss. Past few months I have been using rogaine foam and finasteride in the form of quarter proscar tablets. To be honest Ive been quite happy with the results as Ive noticed my hair loss stop completely & my hair is definitely now thickening. I previously had light brown hair but now it seems to look darker, not that I care that much really as long as I get regrowth.

My question is have you ever noticed in your practice users of rogaine having their hair darken after using it for a while. Also is there anything else I should use to maximise hair regrowth or is finasteride & minoxidil good enough for now. Love to hear your thoughts.

When the hair shaft gets thicker (as with the use of Rogaine and / or Propecia) the hair will change to its normal, possibly darker, color. Miniaturized hairs tend to be lighter.

Would you agree with the results of this article?
Link: Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss.

Also, even if it doesn’t promote regrowth, does Finasteride at least stops the hairline from receding further?

The results of that 1999 study you referenced says: “There was a significant increase in hair count in the frontal scalp of finasteride-treated patients (P < .001), as well as significant improvements in patient, investigator, and global photographic assessments. Efficacy was maintained or improved throughout the second year of the study. Finasteride was generally well tolerated.”

Based on what I’ve seen in my own practice, I do agree with it for the most part. I believe Propecia can slow down or stop the frontal hair loss in those genetically prone to frontal recession. It does regrow hair in the frontal hairline on rare occasions, but it has shown to work much better in the crown.