How Do I know if Medical Hair Loss Treatments are Working for Me?

I have been using Rogaine and Propecia for 3 weeks. How do I know it’s working? I had excess shedding from the minoxidil for the first 11 days. Since then, the shedding has slowed down to what I think is normal. How long does it take for Propecia to start working? Also, my scalp is always itching. This has been going on since before using minoxidil so I know it’s not from that. My doctor can’t see anything on my scalp. Should I be worried?

Estimates vary regarding how long one should wait before assessing the effects of Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) but those estimates generally fall between 8 months and one year.   While these medications are the only two FDA approved and clinically proven treatments for androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), if and how they will work for each patient will vary. You may eventually notice thicker, fuller hair or you may simply experience a decline in hair loss with no visible hair regrowth. Three months is not nearly long enough to determine if these medications will slow your balding or promote any new hair growth.

The best way to know how well it is working for you is to have your scalp mapped for miniaturization. If that is not possible, then I recommend carefully documenting your hair loss with photographs. Before and after photos can tell a great deal.

In my opinion, there is no reason to worry about your itching. Adding Nizoral shampoo to your regimen every three days may not only help to reduce the itching but may also provide a little extra protection against the effects of DHT due to the active ingredient ketoconazole.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
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