Can I Let My 15 Year Old Son Use Minoxidil Until He’s Old Enough for Propecia?

My question is for Dr Rassman: I have a 15 year old son who seems to be losing his hair (from the crown only – mpb in the family). I understand that Propecia is not suitable until he is 18. Is it worth using Rogaine until then and at what strength? Based on your experience how successful do you think it would be in retaining the hair he has until he is old enough to try the Propecia?

I know you have to deal with many questions but I would be so very grateful for your reply.

A worried mum.

I am reluctant to recommend Propecia (finasteride) for someone that young, but I and many other doctors have done this provided that your family doctor goes along with it. I have allowed my young patients to use Rogaine (minoxidil), starting off with 2% and moving up to 5% in the crown, if his family doctor does not want to use Propecia.

One thing to keep in mind — benefits from minoxidil are not kept by finasteride and vice versa. In other words, if he sees positive results from Rogaine and then decides years later that he wants to take just Propecia, it won’t maintain what Rogaine has kept.