Is Rogaine a Waste of Time?

Dear Dr. Rassman –

This blog is really a terrific resource. I’m 27 caucasian guy with thinning hair. Frankly, my thinning not super noticeable when my hair is dry; however it looks pretty bad when the hair is wet.

I’ve tried Propecia, but sadly, I’m one of the rare guys who got side effects (FYI they completely went away when I stopped taking the drug). My question is whether or not you think stand alone Rogaine foam is a decent alternative for us guys who can’t tolerate Propecia. I’m fine with applying it twice a day. The issue is that I just don’t want to commit to lifetime use of a medication that you think is, on balance a waste of time.

Thanks very much for your reply.

I’d say Rogaine (minoxidil) is a good alternative, though it doesn’t inhibit the DHT that causes hair loss. I wouldn’t say it is a waste of time, but it just works differently from the Propecia (which does block DHT). Minoxidil is FDA approved to treat hair loss, and you might see some decent regrowth. I won’t make any guarantees to how much growth you might see, but is worth a shot.

You might also consider taking a half dose (0.5mg) of Propecia, as some patients with side effects have seen some benefits and no side effects from going this route, though you should discuss this with your prescribing physician. Also, a quarter of the dose will produce half of the benefit of a full dose.