My derm prescribed me 1mg oral minoxidil as they wanted to evaluate the effects of the drug for a month before they increase the dose. I am wondering if 1mg is effective enough and if anyone has seen results when taking 1mg? I currently use topical minoxidil 2 times a day.

Since 60% of men will not respond to topical minoxidil, the oral works on 100% of men. The 1mg dose is a reasonable starting dose. Your dermatologist knows what she is doing.

I’m 22 and have been thinning at the hairline and a little on the crown for years. Still have my hairline somehow (very very thin, used to be thick as when I was 20). I started fin a few days ago. It feels so good that I am at least doing something to stop the balding progress. If I see no progress, at least I’ll have the satisfaction of trying. I’ve been using minoxidil only on my beard and hope to not use it on my scalp any time soon.

I suspect that you will see value in what you are doing.  You are doing the right thing!

Doc what would you say the success rate of oral minoxidil is? Will it reverse the loss of my widow’s peak?

Hair growth occurs with oral minoxidil. This hair growth is not restricted to the scalp and that is the problem for this drug in women who don’t want body or facial hair. The widow’s peak rarely recovers with minoxidil.

Here are two examples that I would like you to comment on

1.someone took finasteride from 25 years old to 40 years old, then stopped taking it.

2.that same person never took finasteride.

Who will have more hair at 50 years old? what Im basically trying to figure out is what’s better for your hair, taking finasteride then stopping completely, or never taking it in the first place? thanks!

The studies are clear from Merck.  Men who take finasteride will have less hair loss over time.  I have seen this in my practice, when men on finasteride who stop it, regardless of age, lose hair within the first 3 months and that loss can be dramatic. I have had men on finasteride for 20+ years and if they stop it, they always lose their natural hair that was held in place by finasteride. 

There are some simple flags that I advise my readers to watch out for.  

1. Using salesmen to meet with patients should indicate that the doctor has too much financial focus in his practice. I would stay away from that doctor.
2. If you don’t bond with the doctor or if you feel that he doesn’t focus on your agenda
3. If he doesn’t spend enough time with you.  A 5-minute consultation can’t really get to your agenda properly. Ask if you can meet with some of his patients; he may have something to hide if he declines.  I held monthly open house events for at least 2 decades, where prospective patients could meet with my previous patients.  Also, any dissatisfied patient could come to an open house and destroy my reputation instantly. 
   • A funny story: A practice with a heavy marketing budget saw the effectiveness of my Open House events. When they publicized their first such event, many dissatisfied patients went to their Open House and were escorted out of the office by their security. The patients were prepared and held picket signs in front of their office to warn possible attendees to avoid that clinc. Their first Open House was their last Open House.
4. Ask about their credentials. What makes them qualified to do your hair surgery. If Hair Transplants do not reflect at least 70% of their practice, they may not be totally focused on hair transplantation.
5. Do they offer both FUE and Strip surgeries?  Well-trained doctors can do both.
6. Do they discuss your lifetime donor supply (in numbers taken by measuring instruments they share with you)?  
7. Do they discuss the value of donor hair thickness and hair mass as it reflects the value of your situation in the total scheme of hair transplant analytics?
8. Finally, do you like the doctor and find that he is honest and sincere? If so, that is a good closing point for your decision.  

Do miniaturized hairs from AGA always end up dying of apoptosis? In other words, when the  hairs from DHT susceptible follicles miniaturize, is it guaranteed that they will always end up falling out permanently and those follicles end up dying and not growing any new hair? Or can hair miniaturize and remain that way indefinitely without eventually permanently falling out and dying?  I ask because most bald men that I see, even those who are older and whose hair loss has been stabilized or remained the same for decades, they usually still seem to maintain some hair in their bald

The balding status of this man has not changed. He let his hair grow out, that’s all.  It looks like he grew new hair but he proves the point that good styling with LONGER hair can make a balding person look better.