If I Can’t Maintain the Minoxidil Schedule of Twice Daily, Is It Worth Using At All?
Hi Doc,
I am already on Finasteride 1 mg. I had bought Minoxidil for application on temple region. Since i am not able to maintain the medication schedule (twice a day forever till one wants to maintain hair), i discontinued after applying for 5 – 7 days. I plan to apply it whenever my busy schedule permits me (maybe once / twice a week during weekends).
Do you think there would be any benefits in doing so OR would i be doing more harm than good (like accelerated hair-loss for the first few days while applying Minoxidil)? Thanks.
A couple things that should be pointed out —
1. Minoxidil is indicated for top/crown hair loss. It really does not work all that well for frontal hairline or temple areas.
2. Minoxidil is recommended for use twice a day everyday for several months before you see some improvement.
If you know the two facts above, you can make an educated and informed decision about whether random applications to an area that the medication isn’t intended to regrow hair in will be beneficial for you or not.
I must disagree on this one with Dr. Rassman.
The reason the packaging for minoxidil says to only use it on the top of the head/crown is because the original studies that were submitted to the FDA only studied the effectiveness on these parts of the head. Therefore, producers of minoxidil can only claim effectiveness in these areas when they market this product.
However, I believe there have been peer reviewed studies since then, and certainly doctor experience, that indicates that minoxidil is effective anywhere there is hair, including the hairline and temple areas. Not as effective as on the top of the head, but still somewhat effective.
Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that once a day application is almost as good as twice a day application, and certainly better than nothing.
Please see:
https://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medical-treatment/medications/rogaine-minoxidil/
Also see:
https://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medical-treatment/medications/rogaine-minoxidil/tips-on-minoxidil/
I have been using minoxidil in concert with finasteride for the past 2 1/2 years and I must say the combination has been very effective. But I must admit…compliance with the minoxidil schedule has been a big pain in the tush. It really is. It’s annoying. But it’s a cost I am willing to take so unless there is a cure, I will deal with this pain in the tush twice a day, every day, for the rest of my life.
But I realize not everyone will decide to do this. I just want to emphasize to my balding brothers that there is an option — once-a-day application. It seems that if you do a really nice job of application once a day — a thorough application just once in the morning or in the evening — then you can derive some, if not most of the benefits that one gets with twice a day application.
See Dr. Bernstein’s medical treatment patient pictures. They are real. I am one of the folks on that list.
If your application is going to entirely haphazard, like once or twice a week, then you are at best wasting your time or could even be doing more damage. But if you can stick to a good once a day schedule, for the rest of your life, then I would say go for it.
I’ve used minoxidil foam on the hairline too – I think most of the regrowth came from propecia but I don’t discount some small effect it has and wont be stopping even if its maintained only fine extra hairs.
I really don’t see the big deal, especially with the foam – it takes about 10 seconds and dries quickly. Unless you have some unique and complex hairstyle to contend with – its hardly trouble. I spend far more time brushing my teeth morning and night than applying the foam.
I agree…I wish Dr.Rassman wouldn’t be so quick to discourage people from using Rogaine for their hairline.
His exact words just now were “it really does not work all that well for frontal hairline or temple areas” when he should be saying “it is not intended for frontal hairline or temple areas”. Because the truth is, many people do get good results on their hairline (myself & the commenter above me are proof of this). It may not be a dramatic improvement, but it’s been enough to give me a little more peace of mind & feel a little better about my looks, especially in the temple areas. So please, Dr.Rassman, choose your words wisely, as this person might be one of the many that gain an unexpected benefit from the frontal growth.