I’m Seeing Asymmetric Temple Regrowth from Propecia

Hey Drs at NHI,
I am currently on my sixth month of finasteride and have been applying rogaine for about a month and a half (once a day). I am a Norwood 3 at 18 years old (turning 19 very soon) and cannot tell if the drugs are working. I have however, noticed growth at the temple area of very small hairs (1/4cm – 3/4cmm). It is growing in asymmetrically though, I have more growing in on my right side than my left and I can see an “outline” of where my hair would be if I had a perfect hairline. I just want to know if it is a good sign? It does seem like my hairline is continuing to recede but I am wondering if it will eventually reverse, despite it being a frontal loss.

And just out of curiosity, Dr.Rassman could you tell me more about your son who had success with frontal regrowth? Like what balding pattern he was at and his age when he started using finasteride?

Thank you your blog is very insightful and has helped me in my high school years.

Asymmetrical hair loss is common with genetic balding when it occurs, and reversal of that loss can also be asymmetrical. I’d say any regrowth is a good sign, particularly at the temples.

I believe my son was in his mid-20s at the time he started on finasteride. He was thinning in a Norwood Class 3A pattern and the drug reversed all signs of miniaturization symmetrically.