Hair regrowth with just minoxidil?

[chrisis]

Is it well known for hair to regrow with minoxidil alone?

The back story:

started finasteride in November 2011
started minoxidil in early January 2012
quit finasteride in late January 2012 (due to side effects)

I've noticed some fuzzy regrowth in my hairline, and I think it may be growing back slightly. Too early to say right now but I'm hopeful!

My question is whether this could be happening as a result of the minoxidil alone? I've been extremely careful about applying it twice every day and letting it soak properly.

My worry is that the regrowth was in part due to the finasteride, so it may fall out.

Any thoughts please?

[Tracy C]

My question is whether this could be happening as a result of the minoxidil alone?

My worry is that the regrowth was in part due to the finasteride, so it may fall out.

It is more likely from Minoxidil, though it is still pretty early. You were not on Finasteride long enough to realize any benefit from the medication.

Finasteride itself does not "make" hair grow. Finasteride "allows" hair follicles that can still grow hair to grow hair - but it does nothing to stimulate those follicles to do so. Minoxidil stimulates hair follicles that can still grow hair to start growing hair again - but it does nothing to block the hormone that damages hair follicles.

[chrisis]

Thanks Tracy. Yeah I had similar thoughts. It's pretty encouraging then.

[Tracy C]

Your welcome. Using Rogaine or generic Minoxidil can be hard on you emotionally because it takes so long to see any benefit from using it. This is why I think so many women who give up on it get discouraged. They simply do not have the strength to ride out the shedding or the patience to stick with it long enough to see improvement. The moral is give it time - because it takes time.