minoxidil 5% def works good up front too.
i can't tell for certain whether it is minox or fin that did the trick for me, but i must say that it does work really good on my front 1/3. i started both fin and minox at the same time so that is why it's so hard for me to pinpoint what did what where.

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I'm Rogaine-only. 5% Rogaine branded liquid (I don't like the foam) I'm at the end of my 3rd month and I'm pretty happy with the results. I had very mild recession with temples thinning and receding, I noticed an improvement within 2 weeks, with fine baby hair (my hair is black, so it was visible) and now some of it is full-thickness and others are thickening. Other people have noticed. I have no problem with my crown and I don't apply it there - it's all frontal.

I'm not 100% sure, but I feel like I'm getting more hairy in general. I think the fine hairs on my upper cheeks are slightly thicker, as are hairs on my arms. Nothing too bad though. It doesn't even bother me 0.01%

I don't use finasteride or anything else. I don't have Nizoral or Revita, but I use a Chinese brand of anti-hairfall Shampoo with Jackie Chan on the front.

Myonly concern is that some people say Rogaine loses effectiveness after a few years. I'm glad to see someone had been using it for 9 years.

It doesn't loses effectiveness, it will help hair growth and hair thickening again and again. But it cannot stop Male Pattern Baldness alone (follicle miniaturization), hence the idea to complement it with a 5ar inhibitor (finasteride).

OK, well I guess I'll see how the Minoxidil it helps me hold out. When it goes, it goes, and I suppose I'll just shave it all.

I'm not prepared to have surgery.

That's the spirit! Don't take any lip from those follicles.

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My Hair Loss Website - Dr. Hasson

One advice though (and you have no idea how important is that advice...), don't stop minoxidil even if you think it loses efficacy. I would say the same about finasteride.

You never really understand how much these meds help... until you stop.

Unless, of course, you like clogged drain pipes and plumber bills. And waxing your scalp to make it shine...

Just curious though, what's the difference between the follicles miniaturising and hair thinning?

I thought thinning hair was the follicles shrinking and the hairs get finer?

Right now, Minoxidil seems to be reactivating/reversing that, first growing vellus hairs which have started to thicken up.

If those hairs start to get fine and the follicles close up, isn't that the same as the Minoxidil stopping working?

Finasteride will inhibit 5ar, one of the main cause of follicle miniaturization, and will prevent hair loss in the process.

Minoxidil will make your hair grow, and regrow, and will help hair to become stronger in the process, but does not act as a 5ar inhibitor.

Therefore, as strong as minoxidil can be, it cannot overcome miniaturization (MPB) alone, and even if it's growth power is intact, miniaturization should slowly / gradually win the fight in the end.

The synergy between the two is quite interesting...

I see.

Well, I hope they can come up with something that can inhibit DHT/5ar just locally in the scalp so I can take it without side effects, in the next few years. I guess I've got another 4-5 years (with minoxidil) before it'll be really obvious that I'm losing hair.

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I am on finasteride and noticed that it works well on the crown, but the sides..ugh..I need help with regrowth. I use Spectral DNC all over the place wherever I see I need regrowth. it is very good. I hope fin does not hinder growth on the sides. im a woman and I need hair on the sides.