Stopped Using 5% Minoxidil Due to Severe Reaction, But 2% Doesn’t Really Help Me

Hello doctor, I have had diffuse pattern thinning since I was 15 years old. my hairloss slowed down considerably and I am now 23 and still have decent coverage. However my hairloss has not stopped completely. I began using 5% minoxidil/azelaic acid compound a year ago with which I achieved good results. My hair was much stronger and i noticed some regrowth. However i developed a severe reaction to it after some time and was prescribed a topical steroid and advised by my doctor to stop using it. My hairloss has now comeback and i started using 2% which has not really helped but ive had no reaction to it. I have now tried 5% minoxidil without the azelaic acid for about a week and I’ve had a noticable slowing down of hairloss and so far no reaction. I would like a better coverage of my scalp and I went to see a reputable transplant clinic who advised me I was too young to consider surgery, but prescribed me propecia.

After reading certain forums about propecia i am very nervous to start taking it and if I want better coverage would I be better sticking to minoxidil or taking propecia, or even using them both? I apologise for such a long message, but any help would be much appreciated. I would prefer it if you wouldn’t post my mail and reply to me via my email address. Thank you very much for your time Doctor.

With regard to posting on various forums, you will note that you are just a voice out of the crowd without identifying references. Propecia is far better a solution than minoxidil for the young balding man, assuming that you really have genetic hair loss. I have mentioned over and over again that you need to establish a baseline measurement (metric) for the degree of miniaturization before you start drugs like Propecia, because you need to know what the benefit is over time. These miniaturization measurements are invaluable for that purpose. Minoxidil with acid compounds tend to irritate the skin over time. The use of steroids work to manage the irritation, but chronic use of them will cause hair loss. Get a doctor to work with you so you know what you are doing.