Is minoxidil working at all for me? Should I continue using it?

[Scottishlad]

I've been on minoxidil with azelaic acid for about 5 months now. I have noticed increased shedding the past couple of weeks but nothing serious. I'm not sure if it is working for me and at times I think it has made things worse.

Should I stick at it? It is normal for things to get worse before getting better?

I am using it on my hairline which has been receding the past 8 years.

The first two photos are my hair before using any minoxidil. The last two were taken today. What does everyone think? Can anyone offer any advice?

[Scottishlad]

here are more photos

.

[macster]

Looks like stuff is sprouting at the hairline.

Also, please know that minoxidil, I would say at worst, SLOWS down the rate of hair loss. Therefore, even if you are still losing hair, minoxidil is slowing down the rate at which you are losing hair, making it effective.

Of course, you have to decide whether the hassle is worth it to you, but my belief is that once you decide to "take up this battle", you should use all the FDA approved treatments available to you, as long as you are not having side effects, for life.

Best of luck.

[orielonline]

There is a clear difference between your before & after, so I would continue using it. The way I see it is that minoxidil foam costs $9.17 a month, and generic finasteride costs $11.00 (at Costco and Walmart Pharmacy respectively). Is $20.17 a month worth slowing down hair loss and possibly regrowing hair? I definitely think so, but it's ultimately your decision.

I don't know if minoxidil is doing the job either, but I do have faith in it because it is one of the few treatments that is FDA approved.

[jksl]

Just out of curiosity, are you also on finasteride?

[Scottishlad]

No I don't want to risk the side effects.

[Scottishlad]

What does everyone think now?

Is it working at all? I use it twice a day now.

[Trenblastoise]

As far as I have seen with the studies and other people taking it - it is a drug you don't go off. If you ever go off your hair loss will get significant. It gives short term benefits for up to 2-2.5 years then your receding will happen even quicker as the hair shedding early on does got an impact.

Nothing that I can claim 100%, just what I have seen and read on some studies and seen people doing reviews on it.

[robincurtz]

i have the same story bro!!!! i am on it since 4 months.i have thinned out drastically and hair line got very worse.now i can't see healthy hair around my hair line.all are seems to be got minaturised...

[Scottishlad]

i have the same story bro!!!! i am on it since 4 months.i have thinned out drastically and hair line got very worse.now i can't see healthy hair around my hair line.all are seems to be got minaturised...

Are you going to continue using it?

[robincurtz]

Yes,

[hellouser]

Also, please know that minoxidil, I would say at worst, SLOWS down the rate of hair loss.

False. Finasteride slows down hair loss. Minoxidil does nothing for that.

you should use all the FDA approved treatments available to you

Which are Finasteride and Minoxidil. So technically, not 'all treatments' but rather 'both treatments'