Finansteride, Minoxidil Or Both
hey doctor!
As I read through forums and articles, people mention that propecia works better in conjunction with something else, such as rogaine for exmaple. At the moment, the vertex area of my scalp seems “emptier” than the crown and minoxidil works well with the vertex. Do you recommend me go back on minoxidil for the vertex, or should I just focus on propecia?
Answer:
I generally prescribe finasteride to most of my patients who have significant miniaturization whether they are getting hair transplants or not. There are several studies on using Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) as single therapy and in combination with each other or with other medications.
Comparing minoxidil and finasteride for treatment of male pattern baldness clearly shows that treatment with only finasteride is more effective than treatment with only minoxidil. Combination of finasteride with minoxidil and with some other medications shows improved outcome, but the rate of improvement is not significant enough that I can convince myself to prescribe combination therapy to all my patients for the rest of their lives, considering difficulty of using topical minoxidil (topical spreading of medication twice a day on the balding area of scalp).
If you want to do everything possible to prevent or slow down further hair loss and maybe grow some, you can consider combination therapy, but remember when you start minoxidil you are committed to continue it for the rest of your life or until there are better alternatives.
Tags: hair loss medication
April 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hi Doctor,
I have noticed slight thinning of hair in the vertex area, but there is no receding hairline. What should I take to stop this thinning?
April 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am assuming you are male. You need to have a miniaturization study of your scalp. Some hair restoration surgeons and dermatologists offer this study in their offices. Miniaturization study is studying your hair and scalp with at least x50 magnifications to assess the level of thinning of your hair shafts. Men who have significant miniaturizations on their crown area (over 20%) can get the best results from finasteride (Propecia). It may thicken some hair shafts and can at least slow down the process of hair loss.
Best,
Dr. Mohebi
May 14th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Hi Doctor,
I’m 24 male and my hair has been thinning out and receding over the past 2 years but in the last year or so it has increased and is starting to be visible. There is no thinning or balding near my crown as of yet but at times it does seem like its in the process. I will go bald and yes it is in my family.
i have read some material on minoxidil and finasteride. i would like to know what would be the best solution to try out. also is there any combinations of both together and would it be worth taking?
May 14th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Dear Rupesh,
The best thing is to be evaluated by a good hair specialist to see what degrees of miniaturization you have. If you have significant miniaturization, it means that you have active hair loss. Most men respond well to finasteride to stop or at least slow down the miniaturization process. I generally do not recommend combination of finasteride and minoxidil with some exceptions. If you have lost hair in certain areas of the scalp completely, you wont grow then back and you may need to have a hair transplant surgery.