maintaining regrowth from rogaine with finasteride?

[master_d]

Hi,

 

I've been on generic 5mg finasteride for 2 years and been on rogaine for about one year. I have significant recession above the temples but little to no loss in the crown so I've been applying the rogaine to my temple areas only. I noticed little to no regrowth from the year I was on finasteride alone, but after about 6 months of rogaine use I noticed significant regrowth in the temple area. It seems like a line of new hairs following my receded hairline will come in and then after those hairs completely grow in a new line will form outside of the line that just grew back. The hairs start off small and are colorless, but they eventually turn black and look like normal hairs. I'm far from a full recovery of my hairline, but I've been impressed with the results I've gotten from rogaine so far. I wasn't expecting much at all. My question is after I get all the hair that I can get back from rogaine and I quit using it can I maintain the hair I recovered using finasteride alone or am I doomed to continue using rogaine for eternity?

[NEWHAIRPLEASE]

Unfortunately...for the best result....I would say continue with BOTH!

[master_d]

oh I plan on continuing both until I notice no new growth. I should mention that I would like to discontinue the rogaine at some point because it's been extremely harsh on my scalp.. after 2 or 3 applications the skin above my temples appears shiny and if I rub a comb against this skin.. most of it will peel off in clumps and then it burns when you apply more of it. I guess I take that to mean that "it's working" heh... but I often will wear a hat to cover up my red/flaky skin... not a huge deal for now, but I would like to stop at some point so I don't have to deal with that.

[NEWHAIRPLEASE]

Master

Are you using the foam or the liquid? I use the foam. I used to use the liquid and I hated every minute of it. However the foam really is no bother at all to me. It actually is now just part of my daily routine.

[master_d]

I started with the foam, but quickly exchanged it with a guy at work for the liquid because I was able to control it better and keep it out of my existing hair. I can't remember having what seems to be an allergic reaction with the foam. ... I kinda wonder if all the irritation and all the new skin being produced is helping or not?

[Dutch]

Perhaps it's the azelaic acid in the liquid you are using that's causing irritation. Try the foam. Stay on the propecia, even if it's a tiny dose, if you don't have side effects that is

[master_d]

I just read this almost by accident, but it seems to answer my question:

"Since part of the problem with hair thinning appears to be a Nitric Oxide deficit due to vascular damage, anything that works on a hormonal level (Propecia) is unlikely to substitute for those agents that supply Nitroxides (Minox). In the past, many have tried dumping minox in favor of just sticking with other agents they were also using that worked on a hormonal level. They invariably regret it a few months later when all the minoxidil-stimulated and minox-dependent shedding.

 

Minox stimulates hair to grow, of course, by non-hormonal methods. Minox and other Nitroxides are therefore able to stimulate hair that would remain unstimulated by hormone modulation alone (Propecia). This is obvious from the chemicals involved, but also from those who start out with Propecia and get some results, but get even more results when they use Minox in addition.

 

Thus, when you remove that Nitric Oxide (NO) crutch, regardless how successful the hormonal modulation you may also be doing, you lose those hairs that were stimulated into activity by something that pinch-hit for the missing NO.

Since MPB is multifactorial, it only makes sense that if you take care of just one of the factors you will have less than 100% success. It's like someone who can't walk because he's got a broken leg and crippling arthritis, too. Mend the broken bone and you still have a problem."