Efficacy of Hair Loss Medications on the Front of the Scalp

I have been on Fin for over a year, and only am able to hold on to what I have. I wonder why it works so well on those guys in the photos, giving them regrowth. I also use minoxidil as well. I don't get it. I guess hair losses are more aggressive than others, and it may take longer than a year for some.

I know for sure without fin/minoxidil, I would have been way worse. The rate I was losing hair was very aggressive, but never as bad as the guys before pics on the photos, that's what I don't get.

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Originally Posted by PatientlyWaiting

I have been on Fin for over a year, and only am able to hold on to what I have. I wonder why it works so well on those guys in the photos, giving them regrowth. I also use minoxidil as well. I don't get it. I guess hair losses are more aggressive than others, and it may take longer than a year for some.

I know for sure without fin/minoxidil, I would have been way worse. The rate I was losing hair was very aggressive, but never as bad as the guys before pics on the photos, that's what I don't get.

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Yeah man, the effectiveness seems to vary quite a bit from person to person. I've read here about some kind of test you can have done that would predict how well your body responds to finasteride; might be worth checking with a hair loss specialist about.
On the brighter side I've heard a few people report that it took 2+ years to see their full results on fin. I've been on it 15-16 months I think, and I'm kind of feeling like the results have capped, but I guess the next 8 months will tell.

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Originally Posted by Tracy C

If you have been using this medication for 14 years and have not yet experienced any side effects, you are not likely going to experience any side effects.

Propecia and Rogaine do two different things. Propecia treats the cause of hair loss. This effect can prevent further hair loss and possibly allow hair follicles that can still grow hair to grow hair - but it does nothing to stimulate hair follciles to grow hair. Rogaine stimulates hair follicles that can still grow hair to grow hair - but it does nothing to treat the cause of hair loss.

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Thanks Tracy. Yeah, I tend to agree for the most part that after this long I probably won't develop any sexual side-effects if I go back on. I have been off for 12 weeks now, so I probably need to start very soon if I am going to. But the other part of me is worried because I have read that a few of the men who developed permanent problems were in fact guys who had been on the drug 10+ years..... argghh very discouraging!!

I will say that for the last year while on the drug, nothing sexually happened but i developed SEVERELY dry skin on my hands that would not heal (went to 2 dermatologists who could not help even with steroid creams). 3 weeks off propecia and my hands healed up!! strange huh... Also, I did have testicle pain for about the first 9 weeks after coming off the drug that was pretty disturbing.

Thats the problem, the people that are on avodart either don't frequent hair loss forums or choose to remain silent or hairloss sufferers are to worried about this drugs effects to take it..

I actually have a box sitting in my cupboard but i almost feel like its too risky to take the stuff, like the risk is not worth any positive effects it may have and any positive effects aren't guaranteed.

I would trade my hair any day for ability to function like a normal human being and the ability to have normal children if i so choose..

Been thinking about applying it topically with the use of minoxidyl thereby limiting the percentage in my blood stream..

I really don't know.. this hair loss shit really gets me down.. but i think there is a light at the end of the tunnel.. whether its shaving it an just getting over it or whether some form of better treatment happens in the near future..

I'm feeling pretty resolved, at this point, to go on Avodart once my finances are in better shape. I'm willing to stick it out with finasteride until the two-year mark, but I really am starting to feel like my results have hit a wall.
If I do make the switch, I'll let the forum know how it goes.

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Originally Posted by 25 going on 65

I'm willing to stick it out with finasteride until the two-year mark, but I really am starting to feel like my results have hit a wall.

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What does your doctor think?

Have you been using Rogaine or generic Minoxidil as well? Where are you on the norwood scale and how long have you been there? What are your goals? Do you just want to maintain what you have or do you want to try to grow some hair back?

You are much more likely to experience sexual side effects with Dutasteride than Finasteride. If you are currently taking 1/4 of a 5mg pill of Finasteride once per day, maybe you could give Mr. Spex's idea of taking it twice per day a try. He posted a thread about that a short while back.

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Originally Posted by rbernstein

There is some misinformation being passed around suggesting that hair loss medications (finasteride and minoxidil) are not effective in growing hair in the front part of the scalp. With our patients’ permission, we have posted the results of treatment with Propecia and Rogaine to show that medications do work well in many cases. It is important to note that most patients have used the medications consistently for at least a year to achieved the desired results.

Below are some examples of Bernstein Medical patients who have treated their hair loss with medication alone. Visit the Bernstein Medical website to see additional before and after photos of medical treatment.

Click for larger versions:

Attachment 13104
Patient OVQ

Attachment 13105
Patient KMJ

Attachment 13106
Patient QTC

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rbernstein,

These results are incredibly impressive. Question:

Were all three patients on Minoxidil AND Finasteride? Could you breakdown their regiments?

Their regimens are in the photo descriptions. They are taking 1/4 of a generic 5mg pill of Finasteride daily. Some are using 5% Minoxidil twice per day, some are using 5% Minoxidil once per day. Some are not using Minoxidil at all.

Patient OVQ is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and using 5% Minoxidil once per day in the PM.

Patient KMJ is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and not using Minoxidil.

Patient GTC is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and using 5% Minoxidil twice per day.

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Originally Posted by Tracy C

Their regimens are in the photo descriptions. They are taking 1/4 of a generic 5mg pill of Finasteride daily. Some are using 5% Minoxidil twice per day, some are using 5% Minoxidil once per day. Some are not using Minoxidil at all.

Patient OVQ is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and using 5% Minoxidil once per day in the PM.

Patient KMJ is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and not using Minoxidil.

Patient GTC is taking 1.25mg of Finasteride per day and using 5% Minoxidil twice per day.

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Thank you, Tracy.

I'm on a mobile device and do not see any medication descriptions when I click to enlarge the photos.

I appreciate you breaking it down for me.

*EDIT*

I now see them on the Bernstein website! Got it. Wow. I'm an idiot.

Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by Tracy C

What does your doctor think?

Have you been using Rogaine or generic Minoxidil as well? Where are you on the norwood scale and how long have you been there? What are your goals? Do you just want to maintain what you have or do you want to try to grow some hair back?

You are much more likely to experience sexual side effects with Dutasteride than Finasteride. If you are currently taking 1/4 of a 5mg pill of Finasteride once per day, maybe you could give Mr. Spex's idea of taking it twice per day a try. He posted a thread about that a short while back.

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My regular doctor knows nothing about MPB so I don't consult him about it. I've corresponded with an IAHRS doctor about Avodart and he said he does prescribe it, but not until after the patient has used finasteride for at least six months (to check for side effects I suppose). I've used it for over a year.

I don't use minoxidil. Did for a brief time but there were some odd side effects so I ditched it. I do use ketoconazole shampoo 2% formula.
I'd say I'm a NW2 with mild thinning around the crown and a couple other areas that are too thin.
My goal is to grow as much of my hair as possible without a surgical transplant.
I haven't heard of the morning+night approach to finasteride but it may be worth a try. It would still probably be cheaper than an Avodart rx.