Patient’s Question:
I found out on-line that you should wait about eight months to one year when taking Propecia before starting to take minoxidil. I have been using minoxidil for years already. What should I do? Can I still start taking Propecia?
Dr. Friedman’s Answer:
I personally would start Propecia and minoxidil at the same time. The only reason somebody would want to start one versus the other is to see if one was helping. The end result is that we want to stop hair loss and we want to try to reverse miniaturization of the small hairs. It really does not matter if it’s minoxidil that is working or Propecia that is working. I think statistically we have many, many more patients that have seen results with Propecia than Rogaine or minoxidil.
Rogaine has been available since the 1980s; whereas, Propecia has only been available for the last 17 years. Therefore, we have seen most of our patients who were applying minoxidil stop and switch to Propecia because statistically Propecia has a much higher rate of success. In most of our patients, 92% have seen a decrease or actual stopping of their hair loss while taking Propecia; whereas, a very, very small number of patients have noticed the same results with Rogaine or minoxidil.
Does that mean I would not apply Rogaine as well as taking Propecia? No. I would throw everything at hair loss. I would take Propecia and I would also apply Rogaine. Anything we can do to try to stop or limit hair loss is going to be a plus in the future.
See: How to Stop Hair Loss for more information.
Thank you for your inquiry. Please call us at 480.500.7443 or send us an EMAIL if you have any further questions.
— Dr. Shelly Friedman, DO
Board Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon
Arizona’s Most Trusted Hair Loss Doctor
Named Phoenix Magazine’s Top Doc – Hair Transplant Surgeon
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