If My Hair Can Be Pulled Out Easily, Does That Mean Rogaine and Propecia Are Becoming Less Effective?

Hello Doctor,

I have been loosing my hair since the age of 16 and finally took notice months before my 18th birthday. Currently I am on both propecia and 5% Rogaine and have been for the past year (prior I relied on just 1.25mg finasteride).My current results with my regimen have been satisfactory, as I can not for sure say what I’d look without the medication.

My question is regarding the ease of hair falling from the scalp when rubbed and the amount of hair strands that can been pulled by gently using your index finger and thumb. Recently I have been able to pull about 3-5 strands at a time out of head and hair tends to fall out easily when I rub it (a common habit of mine while studying). This has been occurring on and off for the past couple of months- especially after I was off rogaine for a period of 2 weeks in January while I awaiting for new shipment to arrive (I order the foam online through ebay since it is not available in Canada).

Do these symptoms indicate that the drugs are becoming less effective now, leaving genetics to take its course? Is there any shampoo or conditioner that you recommend or heard from prior patients to help strengthen the hair follicle?

Maybe you should stop pulling on your hair. How easily your hair falls out has no real clinical significance with Rogaine or Propecia use.

There is no magic drug, shampoo, conditioner, or potions that will help strengthen hair. There are hundreds of products out there. Try them. I am not against them, but you WILL end up spending a significant amount of money and likely be left without any benefit.