Finasteride and Minoxidil; order of treatment

[hair4tomo]

I've recently bought Finasteride (Propecia - 1mg tablet per day) and Minoxidil (Regaine, a foam to run in scalp twice a day) from my local chemist, and was wondering how should I go about trying them out to see which works best.

Options are: Try Finasteride for now, then Minoxidil later. Or alternatively, maybe do Minoxidil now, and Finasteride later. Or as a third option, maybe just start both treatments now simultaneously. I think the last option will have the best chance to produce the most regrowth/stabilization, but then I'm less likely to see which option is most beneficial. Perhaps one will have no effect, whilst the other does all the work, but then I'm paying for two things instead of one.

Any advice appreciated. I'm also thinking of having a hair transplant in around 6-12 months as I have level 2-3 (vertex) on the Norwood scale.

Edited June 13, 2019 by hair4tomo

[RecessionProof]

If you're pretty sure there's more hair loss to come (I would guess there is), you should definitely try finasteride first. It addresses the root cause of balding and will usually make the biggest difference in keeping your hair over the years. 

Minox works well in most cases too, but keep in mind you'll have to rub that stuff into your scalp at least once a day for the rest of your life (or until you stop caring).

[Dr Blake Bloxham]

A lot of patients start them simultaneously. The argument for starting both at the same time would be: overlapping the initial shedding phases (each drug carries a 3-4 month initial shedding phase) so you do not need to go through this twice, and increasing the strength and efficacy of your preventive regiment. The argument against this would really be that if you did experience some sort of negative effect, it is difficult to tell where it is coming from and how to make adjustments if you started two medications at the same time. 

If you are looking to stagger them, I think most patients would start with Propecia -- which will likely be the most effective as well. 

[Shifty]

I do a few things, both of these included.  Check out my progress here and my routine.

 

 

[LaserCap]

Not a very good photo.  Seems you are developing a 5 pattern? The concern, however, is how patchy it is.  Have you visited with a derm?  It may behoove you to schedule an appointment and confirm that you are dealing with alopecia.  That being said, all modalities available today work in different ways and are thus synergistic.  Simultaneously would be the way to go.  But both medications tend to be most effective in the back area - with Propecia being the most effective.  As Dr. Bloxam indicates, if you are just going to use one - go with Propecia.

[DrTBarghouthi]

I agree with the informative previous replies. Both are synergistic. Minox works on keeping hairs in a growth stage of the cycle, while finasteride targets against DHT-the hair loss hormone. Finasteride is therefore more effective and addresses the core of the problem. Therefore if using one go for finasteride. 

[HLPToronto]

both compliment each other and performs different functions. go with both at the same time

1mg finas tab in the morning and 5% minoxidil rub in the night  2 hours before going to bed 

EVERYDAY 

do for 1 year and see results for yourself - miraculous for some folks 

[hair4tomo]

Thanks all. Replies to some of you below. If/when I reach peak restoration where no more regrowth is going to happen, which of the two medications (if either) would be most appropriate to discontinue? 

 

On 6/13/2019 at 6:23 PM, RecessionProof said:

If you're pretty sure there's more hair loss to come (I would guess there is), you should definitely try finasteride first. It addresses the root cause of balding and will usually make the biggest difference in keeping your hair over the years. 

Minox works well in most cases too, but keep in mind you'll have to rub that stuff into your scalp at least once a day for the rest of your life (or until you stop caring).

Instructions say twice a day, but maybe if I see no improvement after a certain period, I can reduce it down to once per day?

 

On 6/13/2019 at 6:29 PM, Dr Blake Bloxham said:

A lot of patients start them simultaneously. The argument for starting both at the same time would be: overlapping the initial shedding phases (each drug carries a 3-4 month initial shedding phase) so you do not need to go through this twice, and increasing the strength and efficacy of your preventive regiment. The argument against this would really be that if you did experience some sort of negative effect, it is difficult to tell where it is coming from and how to make adjustments if you started two medications at the same time. 

If you are looking to stagger them, I think most patients would start with Propecia -- which will likely be the most effective as well. 

Shedding? Glad you warned me - that's sounds scary. Is it unlikely, likely, or guaranteed? If I do experience negative effects from either, would those effects surface within a week or two? I can certainly wait that long and just use one for a couple of weeks before I start using both together.

Edited June 14, 2019 by hair4tomo

[gillenator]

Yes I would agree that starting finasteride first would be best recommended because it does inhibit DHT and minoxidil does not.

Many guys use both simultaneously and both are approved by the FDA for treating MPB.

[hair4tomo]

On 6/13/2019 at 6:23 PM, RecessionProof said:

Minox works well in most cases too, but keep in mind you'll have to rub that stuff into your scalp at least once a day for the rest of your life (or until you stop caring).

Wouldn't that apply for Finasteride too? (every day for life)

Edited June 19, 2019 by hair4tomo

[gillenator]

Yes every day for life as long as our bodies produce DHT.