What’s the Point of a Master Plan and Miniaturization Mapping?

Doctor
I like your methodical approach as far as coming up with a master plan, mapping hair out for miniaturization, but after many many hours of researching all the info on the web, I’m not sure what the point is. From what I’ve learned Propecia has been shown to work for the vast majority of people. Minoxidil works for most people also, just not as well. By working I mean even in the cases where neither has shown to grow hair there has been the benefit of retaining hair or at least slowing the process down.

Everything I’ve read seems abundantly in favor of these drugs working for most. So why not just use them quit counting hairs, especially hairs in the sink (I’ve found shedding is not always balding)knowing you’re doing everything you can. I know you don’t like to start both drugs at once, but if the point is to grow, halt, or slow the process quickly with maximum benefits, odds are they’re both going to work to some extent and work better together. (No real studies I’m aware of prove that)

Why add Minoxidil 2 years later and be 2 years off baseline than if you started 2 years earlier? So again my question is why count hair or measure density? Everything I’ve read even on your blogs suggest a benefit from these drugs. Again just go off one of these that isn’t working and you’ll find out the hard way.

Sorry for the length of this question(probably too long for here) but I wanted to be clear. This is my conclusion. But I obviously defer to your experience and knowledge. Where am I off here doc? Thanks

It is clear that you read my posts here and understand it well. There are those people that want to know what is happening to them and those that don’t. If you’re curious about microscopically seeing your hair loss progress over time, miniaturization mapping is important. For those individuals who have a hair transplant, the Master Plan is very critical, because it allows you to address what you have growing on your head and adding hair where it will make a difference. I always build a Master Plan for all of my patients who have transplants so that they know when to stop or go forward with more transplants.

Drugs don’t work for everyone, and the financial costs involved with using multiple medications daily are a good reason to try one alone before adding another. One of two medications is available by prescription, the other is over the counter. Yes, the smart thing is to see a doctor for a finasteride prescription and then try minoxidil if you want to throw everything at your hair loss.