If hair thinning is in early stages, is minoxidil shed less brutal?
    Minoxidil 8/7/2026

    From the encyclopedia
    Minoxidil →

    Vasodilator used on the scalp and, at low doses, as a tablet

    Finasteride →

    Popular 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that lowers DHT, taken as a pill or used topically

    At a glance
    In this question or advice post, the primary subjects mentioned are the tone is 😐 neutral.

    Other terms

    Minoxidil shedding might be less severe in early hair thinning. Some suggest using only finasteride to avoid shedding.
    View this post in the Community →

    Similar Community Posts Join

    6 / 6 results

      community 21m experiencing aggressive hair shedding - Ah!

       4 upvotes 12 years ago
      A 21-year-old experiencing aggressive hair shedding is considering treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) to slow or stop hair loss. Recommendations include using these treatments along with Nizoral Shampoo, hair vitamins, and a derma roller to maintain and potentially regrow hair.
      Straightforward: 	•	21M – 7 months on minoxidil, hair looks worse

      community Straightforward: • 21M – 7 months on minoxidil, hair looks worse

      in Basic Questions  130 upvotes 5 months ago
      A 21-year-old male has been using minoxidil for 7 months but notices worsening hair loss, including increased visibility of the crown, overall thinning, and a receding hairline. He previously used finasteride and is considering restarting it, questioning if long-term shedding is normal and when to expect results.

      community Experiencing Shedding on Phoenix 2in1 and Nizoral for 9 Months

      in Basic Questions  75 upvotes 4 months ago
      The user has been using a Phoenix 2-in-1 pill (1mg finasteride with 3mg minoxidil), nizoral ketoconazole shampoo, and derma rolling for 9 months but continues to experience hair shedding. They are considering adding Rogaine foam and are curious about low-level laser caps for better results.

      community 7 month finasteride update 21M

      in Update  171 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 21-year-old shared a 7-month update on using 1mg finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss, reporting positive results with no side effects except watery semen. The user initially stopped minoxidil due to inconvenience but resumed it after shedding, and is satisfied with the progress despite some thinning at the crown.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results

      research HAIR DISEASES

      28 citations , September 1998 in “Medical Clinics of North America”
      This article reviews common causes of hair loss, noting that a well-directed history and examination are often sufficient for diagnosis, and reports no new clinical findings.

      research A Review on Drug Induced Alopecia

      January 2022 in “International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)”
      This article reviews drug-induced alopecia, its diagnosis, and treatments, but presents no new clinical findings.

      research Swollen Lips

      February 2006 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks”
      This narrative discusses the challenges of assessing hair loss in women and notes that the rate of hair loss may exceed normal daily averages, with no clinical results reported.

      research Managing patterned hair loss – a hair raising task!

      October 2021 in “Cosmoderma”
      This review summarizes existing knowledge on diffuse and patterned alopecia, emphasizing recent advancements in treatment beyond FDA-approved options, but it reports no new clinical findings.

      research Drug Reactions Affecting Hair: Diagnosis

      85 citations , April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”
      This article reviews drug-induced hair changes, highlighting that while many drugs are occasionally linked to hair loss, this connection has been conclusively established for only a few, and such hair loss is typically reversible.