Minoxidil in Older Men

Minoxidil question:

My situation: age 60, hair thinning on top, no baldness, with a general appearance of a full head of hair. My primary concern is simply stopping hair thinning/loss.

1. Will minoxidil achieve this, and if so, for how long, (assume that I will live another 20 years.)
2. Minoxidil directions all call for application twice daily. What will result from application once daily, or: some days once, and some days twice, or: sometimes missing a day? Missing 2 days?
3. Is it a good idea to use a hair brush after application, to ‘brush the scalp,’ assuming that invigoration will aid absorbtion-?

Thank you!

1. Both of the FDA approved medications for treating hair loss (minoxidil and finasteride) are mostly effective during the active hair loss age (generally early 20s to late 30s). It does not mean that it can not help people over 40 years old, but the rate of hair loss is more gradual and the positive effect of the medication may not be clearly seen as well at higher ages. Generally, more miniaturized hair means active hair loss and more potential benefit from these drugs. If you use the minoxidil or finasteride and get good response you are committed to continue using it for the rest of your life.
2. The studies show the optimum results are achieved when minoxidil is used twice a day, but once a day may be better than nothing or it may not give you any results making any efforts a waste of time and money.
3. I don’t believe brushing the scalp change the absorption of the medication significantly.