Minoxidil Just Stimulates Growth, Right?

Dear Dr. Rassman, my question concerns minoxidil. I have been using propecia for 3 months to treat the slow progression of a receeding hairline. I realize that it is too early to tell if it has been effective so only time will tell. Obviously, i want to maximize my chances of maintaining my hairline at its present state and want to feel like i am doing everything possible to ensure this. I have mild minaturization of hairs along the frontal and temporal hairline and am wondering if i should additionally use minoxidil to try to restore these hairs to a cosmetically viable state.

As i understand it, propecia is a DHT inhibitor and will act to maintain the hair you have and not regrow it. Minoxidil on the other hand, is a growth stimulant? is this correct? What i really want to know is, in your expert opinion and experience, would combining a topical application of minoxidil to the hairline be worth it? or will propecia restore the minaturized hairs- if indeed i am a responder?

thank you so much

Many doctors recommend the use of both Propecia and minoxidil at the same time. I tend not to do this, because it would addict the miniaturized hairs to minoxidil, possibly unnecessarily. Plus, if you do see hair regrowth while using both medications, you won’t truly know which one is showing the benefits and will essentially be stuck using both forever, for fear of stopping one and losing benefits. It is possible that both will give you benefits, though.

Minoxidil will not impact normal hair and as such will not stimulate it in any way. Combining the two could be worth it, but it’s ultimately up to you.