Stopped using minoxidil for a while

[Gabe]

I am that stupid guy who gave up using minoxidil for 3-4 weeks and the hair loss showed up pretty bad. Then I started using it again but since then I didn't notice any improvement (in the past year). I only use it once a day (before / after I stopped using it). Do you consider I should try twice a day? I tried the roller once a week but didn't have any result either. Should I consider the hair transplant?

 

[loui]

I am that stupid guy who gave up using minoxidil for 3-4 weeks and the hair loss showed up pretty bad. Then I started using it again but since then I didn't notice any improvement (in the past year). I only use it once a day (before / after I stopped using it). Do you consider I should try twice a day? I tried the roller once a week but didn't have any result either. Should I consider the hair transplant?

You should consider talking to your Dr about getting on Finasteride. Minoxidil will always be a complement, but for many it can be difficult to keep taking/applying it for a long time, so you are not stupid, its quite difficult to keep a regimen like that for years, which is why I am not a fan of specially topical Minoxidil, I would never be able to keep doing it.

 

[Bigmac]

Hello Gabe. Your hair loss sounds quite aggressive if the gains you made were lost within 3-4 weeks of not using the minoxidil. Quite a few people are switching to oral minoxidil tablets. For me, Finasteride is the best option at preventing or slowing down the loss and possibly revitalising miniaturised hairs.
Hair transplants are better suited to people who have stabilised their hair loss with meds or their loss has stopped progressing.
Contacting a few clinics is your best option. See what they recommend.
What would you like to achieve with a hair transplant?
How old are you and at what age did the hair loss become noticeable?

 

[Gabe]

I am 30 and I noticed my hair loss 4-5y ago but visibly balding like only 3y ago. Applied the minoxidil for about an year then I stopped. I was thinking to achieve something like in the photo attached below (I would be more than happy to get such good results)

Regarding hairloss, I am still having hairloss but without noticing, I'd call it falling hair rather than hairloss / balding.

 

[loui]

I am 30 and I noticed my hair loss 4-5y ago but visibly balding like only 3y ago. Applied the minoxidil for about an year then I stopped. I was thinking to achieve something like in the photo attached below (I would be more than happy to get such good results)

Regarding hairloss, I am still having hairloss but without noticing, I'd call it falling hair rather than hairloss / balding.

Well your situation is not just some loss in the front, you are losing the whole Norwood 5A area possibly Norwood 6. Looks like you have lots of minituarized hair in the middle still that could be of interest to strenghten and keep with Finasteride, but with Finasteride you need to talk to a Dr, we can only give quick advise here.

 

[Gabe]

The thing with the middle east is confusing because I usually leave the hair to grow more in that side so I will flip over the middle to hide the baldness.
When you say doctor do you mean some dermatologist? Or a clinic?

 

[loui]

The thing with the middle east is confusing because I usually leave the hair to grow more in that side so I will flip over the middle to hide the baldness.
When you say doctor do you mean some dermatologist? Or a clinic?

It says you are in Romania, you can try to visit a Dr and explain your hairloss and that you tried Minoxidil already. There can be side effects with Finasteride and I believe its only on prescription, which is why you need to go to a Dr.

 

[Bigmac]

I think a good clinic for you to consult with would be Hattingen in Switzerland. They’ll give you an idea of what’s the best approach for you. I’d say you’ll need at least 4000 grafts.

 

[mania]

I think it is better for you to contact an hair transplant surgeon for best solotion ..

 

[Eugenix Hair Sciences]

You are Grade 5V on the Norwood Hamilton scale of baldness. You shall require:

Frontal zone: 2500 to 2800 grafts approximately
Mid scalp: 300 to 500 grafts approximately
Crown: 1500 to 1700 grafts approximately

You can also opt for finasteride. It shall help prolong baldness. It can also add to density by reviving some of the miniaturizing hair on your scalp. If you do use Minoxidil also then you should use it twice a say and stay committed to it. If you stop Minoxidil then you will lose all the hair that have come due to it.

 

[Eugenix Hair Sciences]

You can connect with a hair transplant surgeon and discuss all of your questions with him/her. That would be very beneficial for you

 

[Bigmac]

Did you arrange any consults?

 

[Gabe]

Did you arrange any consults?

Yes, I am now on finasteride 0.25% + minoxidil 5% in foam form and I apply it twice a day.
He suggested me to do 5 prp sessions before considering the hair transplant.

 

[loui]

Yes, I am now on finasteride 0.25% + minoxidil 5% in foam form and I apply it twice a day.
He suggested me to do 5 prp sessions before considering the hair transplant.

It is good that you are om Finasteride, hopefully you will not get any side effects.

I would not do any prp if you dont have excess of money that you dont know what to do with, it does help very little, possibly not at all. There is very little research on prp for hair, I see it as snake oil personally.

I would also be a little worried about which clinic or Doctor this is if they try to upsell prp before a transplant.

 

[Gabe]

It's called egoclinic.ro. He told me a different story that those clinics that sell the hair transplant surgery before prp are unprofessional.
Really don't know what to do about.

Regarding the sides effects I develop a thin sheet of lint over the scalp (or how is that called) but this was happening even before with my minoxidil appliance. besides that i feel a little itchy for a shot period after I apply the foam.

 

[Bigmac]

Yes, I am now on finasteride 0.25% + minoxidil 5% in foam form and I apply it twice a day.
He suggested me to do 5 prp sessions before considering the hair transplant.

Hi Gabe.

PRP has many variables that differ from clinic to clinic. Hopefully, your clinic is knowledgable and their PRP contains enough growth factors to help your hair. With you being on 0.25 mg of Finasteride. Is that because you want to start low and build up to 1mg?

The thin sheet of lint, is this dandruff? Minoxidil can cause dandruff and itching. Both can be treated using Nizoral shampoo. If it persists, you may want to try a non alcohol minoxidil.

 

[Gabe]

Hey, yes similar to dunduff but that sheet is present only on the top of the skin (not spreaded thought the hair like dunduff does)
First time I heard that finasteride can be increased, the Dermatologist did not mention this aspect. Is it true that the higher % would make more hair to grow? Is there a way to find out if the prp used in clinic would be a good one (what should I ask them)

 

[Bigmac]

You could ask the clinic what their PRP involves and then compare it to the likes of Dr Cole who has quite a bit of information on his website.
Any chance you could post a clear picture of issue with your scalp?

 

[Gabe]

Not sure if this helps but I can scrap that from the top of my scalp skin.

 

[Bigmac]

I really dont know what could be causing it as there are quite a lot of conditions that can effect the scalp. Professional medical diagnosis is the only option if what you’re trying does not work.