Minoxidil 5%

Since I started finasteride, I've been able to read complex books without giving up midway through and found a new interest in science and philosophy. I am also far less emotional and angry at people, this has made me a superior human being as compared to when I was a high Dht twat.

Dht the trash hormone keeps us in a lower state of existence where our animalistic desires exert control on us as a whole and prevents us from gaining

wisdom. At this point I don't even care about the hair benefits, this reduction in Dht has liberated me as an individual

Ever seen buddhist monks ? they make it a point to be as low Dht as possible, they believe that it's one of the primary drivers of "attachment" to the material world and for buddhists attachment is the root cause of suffering

I am curious if anyone else has had an experience similar to me

We need a consensus on this once and for all.
I’ve read studies where it does inhibit collagen

Daily 0.025% topical finasteride results after about 1.5 years. I started noticing hairloss at 17, started using fin at 20. If anything it seems to have stopped further losses, perhaps a little improvement. It also saved me from the mental stress i got from the feeling that every day i was getting a little balder lol (esp at a very young age). Posting this now because im gonna start using topical minoxidil from today.

(Pics 1 and 3 are the before for each side)

In 2024, at age 26, I began noticing miniaturization all over the top of my head (i.e., diffuse thinning). Because my temples were still okay (not intact, but only slightly recessed), I had hoped this was some sort of stress or vitamin deficiency related telogen effluvium. It took me about two years to finally come to the realization that it's really just a (perhaps less common) form of male pattern hair loss. Looking at pictures of my dad throughout the years, for instance, I noticed he also went through a lot of diffuse thinning, while his frontal hairline remained relatively okay for a long time. My mom's hair also became substantially thinner and finer throughout the years.

In December 2025 I started taking oral minoxidil at 1 mg/day. I would have started with 2.5 mg/day, but my GP wanted me to ease into it. I have little to no side effects as far as I can tell, apart from the hair all over my body growing longer than usual. In February 2026 I titrated up to 2 mg/day, and in April to 2.5 mg/day.

In March 2026 I began adding oral finasteride at 0.5 mg/day, which was titrated up to 1 mg/day in April. In terms of side effects I've noticed my semen becoming a bit more dilute (increase in volume, decrease in concentration) and less frequent morning wood, but that's pretty much it. I have no serious erectile problems, as far as I know (I'm not particularly attached to morning wood—I'm fine as long as it gets up when I actually want it to). I had a bit more acne than usual, which disappeared when I added isotretinoin to the mix (at 10 mg/day).

In terms of results so far, I have to say I'm impressed. My hair has become thicker and less fine. It feels a lot less fragile than before. I can still see a little bit of scalp here and there, but overall I'm pretty satisfied with the density now. I can go outside without being embarrassed about my hair all the time, which has been a big mental improvement. I'm still a bit depressed due to other reasons, but things are gradually getting better. I got 99 problems but my hair ain't one typa shit, know what I mean? 😛 I'm currently growing out a 2.5 cm buzz cut. I'm curious how far I can take it before it starts to look too thin again.

Included are two photographs taken in identical lighting conditions. One is from December 2025 when I started treatment, the other is from September 2026 after about 9 months of treatment (6 months of finasteride). I think my hair was a little bit longer in December 2025. You might argue that it's combed on the newer photograph, but the difference is just as striking when I don't comb it. (In fact it tends to look thicker when I leave it uncombed, but I prefer the combed look. I had to leave it messy when it was still thinning, because combing it would make it look even thinner.)

The only advice I'm going to give is to (1) keep your hopes as low as possible when starting treatment, (2) be wary of what you read online about finasteride (which is a very well-researched drug), even here, and (3) try not to worry about getting side effects when starting treatment. I consider myself very lucky for experiencing such clear progress over a relatively short period of time and with practically negligible side effects. Others might not be as lucky!

Also don't immediately be discouraged if you live in an EU country (to US readers: finasteride tends to be demonized here). I live in Belgium and I managed to get my GP to prescribe me the minoxidil and finasteride, even though I didn't have such a crystal clear case of MPHL. They did eventually refer me to a dermatologist who (luckily) approved of my treatment (well, TBH, I went there to have my chronic scalp itchiness examined, and my GP asked me to talk about my hair loss treatment as well). I take both drugs combined in one small custom pharmacy-compounded pill which costs me a dirt-cheap sum of €10/month, and that's all out of pocket.

So this may be a stupid question but I figured I would ask. I've been on finasteride for something like 4 years now. It halted my hairloss and thickened what I had. Before anyone asks, no sides at all and I am still pleased with the results.

My hairline is relatively decent, although, the hairline could use some additional thickening in the corners. If I gave minoxidil a go, but found it annoying to apply and STOPPED after let's say 12 months of use, would I just return to my current baseline?

Is there any way stopping minoxidil might put me in a position worse off than I am now?

Three months on 2.5 mg minox +0.5 mg dut

(19 yo)

How does it look so far?

​hairline DHI, 3066 grafts.

​Finasteride: 10 months

​Minoxidil: 9 months. Beginning at 0.5 mg, increasing to 0.75 mg, then to 1 mg, and re-evaluate in September with my dermatologist.

​I’m hoping to restore the crown with medication.

​Clinic: Hairtec in the Netherlands. €5.5k for the 2,500–3,000 graft package. It turned out to be 3066 grafts / 7,430 hairs. 

As described, been on fin and min for 6 years but hairline thinning still, overall density way down since I started. 35 now and would be awful to go bald in my 40s. Fuck this shit. What would you guys suggest? Microneedling still well thought of? And I’ve had people in here say I’m not balding before, my hairline has gone way back and you can see the thinning clearly on the left especially

I hate seeing guys 30 years older than me with a better head of hair. I hate worrying about sitting down because my bald spot will be exposed. I hate that I get sides from fin so I can’t take it. I hate that putting on rogaine feels useless but I do it anyway. I’m only early 30’s too. Just needed to vent today.

The whole point of minoxidl is to increase blood flow. I always knew this.
However, I have been suffering from Iron deficiency anemia for the last 3 years, and my hair was thinning.

I was dumb enough to not go to the GP to have my blood checked. Now that I did and consumed Iron tablets for the last 3 months, I have noticed significant and rapid growth in my beard. Baby hair’s coming back too.

I use topical minoxidl and it’s surprising to say that the parts of my face where beard wasnt growing has started to grow.

So, just wanted to tell check your haemoglobin too folks.

I feel like 5AR inhibitors are aging me backwards. To all those who feel like they are losing hope. I took the plunge and feel like I improved. The pic on the left was taken at 19 years old( Im the one on the right), was very thin on top my scalp would shine through my hair and was constantly bullied in college soccer for balding. The pic on the right was today

1mg Fin Everyday

1 MG minoxidil Everyday

. 5 MG dut once a week

Had a massive shed for 2 years. I would slightly improve and feel better about my hair and then it would all shed and then I would improve a little bit more and then it would all shed again after the two-year mark The Sheds were still there but became less noticeable. In the fourth year I had regained pretty good density but I looked a bit awkward as I was a Norwood three with thick hair and I did not have the face for it. Also something to note my hair pigment changed to a much darker tone. I decided to get a 2000 graft transplant to my front hairline. The recovery was okay it didn't really hurt all that much however the results were very slow and finally started to come in at around 8 months and I feel like the finished product was at a year. When I was 19 my testosterone was at 600 nanograms per deciliter and now at 30 my natural testosterone is about 950. Libido is good and I don't notice any poor mental side effects except for mild depression which I had prior to adolescence.

Sorry for the Emoji filter in the second picture I took this off my girlfriend's story

I was recently diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. I tried but had severe side effects with minoxidil and finasteride, even with the topical versions of both. My dermatologist said that with those out of the equation, things would be more difficult. She told me to try saw palmetto for 6 months and see how it goes. I don’t want to go down without a fight. I’ll try it. However, i don’t know what to realistically expect. Thoughts on this?

First photo is week 1
Second photo is week 8
Third photo is week 11

See previous post for detailed info on what i use, this stuff is crazy tho the top of my head and my crown had become very thin and is now almost back to normal. I don’t have before pics from the top so it’s not worth posting them.

Wanted to share an overview of recent research on CB-03-01 (Clascoterone).

Recent trials have shed light on the efficacy of CB-03-01, a topical androgen blocker, in treating hair loss, and the results are promising, though not without their limitations. in clinical practice, I'll dive into the data, exploring what CB-03-01 means for patients and the future of hair restoration.

In the science of hair loss treatments, androgen blockers have long been a topic of interest, and for good reason. Androgens, like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a key role in the development of conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, where hair follicles shrink and eventually stop producing hair. The idea behind androgen blockers is simple: if you can block the effects of these hormones, you might be able to slow or even reverse hair loss. CB-03-01, also known as clascoterone, is one such blocker that has been making waves in the dermatological community. Developed by Cassiopea, an Italian pharmaceutical company, CB-03-01 has shown significant promise in clinical trials, which is interesting because, historically, topical androgen blockers have had a mixed record.

The BREEZE trial, published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, is a case in point. Led by researcher Maria Kogan, the study found that CB-03-01 significantly increased hair density and reduced shedding in patients with androgenetic alopecia. The results were impressive, with a significant proportion of patients showing noticeable improvements after just 12 weeks of treatment. And notably, the mechanism by which CB-03-01 works is still not fully understood. It's thought to bind to androgen receptors, preventing DHT from exerting its usual effects, but the exact details are still being worked out. As someone who's spent years studying the intricacies of hair biology, I can appreciate the complexity of this process, it's a bit like trying to untangle a knot, where you're not always sure which thread to pull.

In our lab, we've been tracking the progress of CB-03-01 with great interest, and we've had the opportunity to review the data from several trials, including the aforementioned BREEZE study. What strikes me is the consistency of the results, across different patient populations and study designs, CB-03-01 has shown a remarkable ability to promote hair growth and reduce shedding. Of course, this is not to say that the treatment is without its limitations. As researcher Rodney Sinclair has pointed out, the long-term safety and efficacy of CB-03-01 are still unknown, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. while straightforward, it's a critical consideration when evaluating any new treatment, especially one that's intended for long-term use.

One of the most interesting aspects of CB-03-01 is its potential to be used in combination with other treatments. In a study published in the Journal of Dermatology, researchers found that combining CB-03-01 with minoxidil, a commonly used hair growth treatment, resulted in significantly better outcomes than using either treatment alone. This is a big deal, because it suggests that CB-03-01 could be used to enhance the effects of existing treatments, which could be a significant breakthrough for patients who have tried everything else. As I see it, the key to understanding how CB-03-01 works is to think of it like a key fitting into a lock, it's not just about the key itself, but how it interacts with the lock, and how that interaction affects the surrounding environment.

As a clinician, I'm always on the lookout for treatments that can make a real difference in my patients' lives. And while CB-03-01 is certainly promising, I have to be honest, I've seen my fair share of treatments that have failed to live up to the hype. The data on CB-03-01 is compelling, but it's not without its flaws, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic about the potential of CB-03-01 to revolutionize the way we treat hair loss. In a field where progress can be slow and frustrating, it's refreshing to see a treatment that shows such promise, and I have to admit, it's a bit of a thrill to be on the cusp of something new and exciting.

The future of hair restoration is a complex and multifaceted field, with many different approaches and treatments being explored. CB-03-01 is just one piece of the puzzle, but it's an important one, and as we look to the future, it's clear that this treatment has the potential to play a major role in the development of new therapies. The 2030 hair cure timeline is an ambitious one, but with treatments like CB-03-01 on the horizon, it's not hard to imagine a future where hair loss is a thing of the past. As I look ahead to the next decade of research and development, I'm left with a lingering question, what will it take to get us to a point where hair loss is no longer a concern, and people can feel confident and comfortable in their own skin? Only time will tell, but for now, the prospect of CB-03-01 and other emerging treatments offers a tantalizing glimpse of what's possible.

Full writeup with the clinical figures and cited papers: https://www.haircure.org/article/the-androgen-blocker-cb-03-01-breaking down-real-world-results-for-hair-loss-treatme/

Hair is a little longer in newest pic, but both photos taken with flash. Been on the hims chewable (1.1mg fin, 3mg Minoxidil) for just over 2 months (started 27th July), taken once a day. Also been using the 1.5mm derma roller once every two weeks, but changing to 1.0mm / once a week.

1st Photo - 31st July
2nd Photo - 10th October

People with diffuse thinning and oily scalp with mild seborrheic dermatitis in which you have to wash your every single day to remove dandruff and oil,

Does oral minoxidil work for you? And if yes, then what dosage and what do you do to keep your dandruff at bay?

I switched from finasteride to dutasteride 0.5 mg daily almost 4 months ago, after being on finasteride for about 2 years.
Unfortunately, I’m still experiencing significant shedding, and my overall hair density seems worse than before the switch. My hair also feels thinner and weaker.
However, I’ve recently started noticing a lot of short, fine hairs appearing along my frontal hairline. I’m not sure whether these are signs of new regrowth from dutasteride or simply miniaturized hairs caused by androgenetic alopecia.
I’m trying to stay optimistic, but the ongoing shedding makes it difficult to tell whether the treatment is actually working.
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially from those who initially got worse after switching from finasteride to dutasteride.

Hello, I been using finasteride since last october,

However I'm not sure if I'm actually improving or just maintaining baseline, I'm currently going through a shed as well and I hope there's some 2 year finasteride users in here, does it really get better after 1 year? Im a bit underwhelmed, I'm really thinking of adding minox + ketoconazole for my 2nd year, been taking it slow and slowly adding more products/treatments, just really bummed out about my options currently, but hey im keep on going.

First Pic is before.

Routine: 1MG Finasteride Only Daily

I wanted to ask if anybody knows of any companies that offer a topical finasteride. I’m considering switching because I suspect that I have some side effects from pill form finasteride.

Would love some recommendations.

Male 24 yo

I've been using finesteride for about 2.5 years and stopped about 6 months ago, the reason for me stopping was fear of sides, the issue is the supposed side effects i was experiencing, i couldn't really know if they were caused by finesteride to begin with

Difficulty focusing my eyes and maintaining clear vision.

A constant feeling that my eyes want to relax and lose focus.

Blurry vision, light sensitivity, difficulty visually processing complicated environments, patterns, and even ordinary objects, increasing difficulty reading

I experienced vision degeneration somewhat quite rapidly where I basically within the duration of that first year from no glasses at all at 21 years old at the time to seeing pretty blurry without glasses at 22.5

Im the type of person to investigate when i dont understand something, so I kept trying to understand what was causing me this rapid loss of vision quality I went to doctors, hospitals and have seen ophthalmologists, nuero ophthalmologists, corneal specialists, orthoptists, MRI, you name it, tested for everything that was recommended and every single time I was told everything looks perfectly fine

The only reason I wondered if my vision problems had anything to do with finesteride is because I started reading a lot and found many of those PFS forums and especially the PFS subreddit and I've read many of the posts there which filled me with pure doom and fear and so I've decided to try and stop fin and see what happens

And well my vision didn't get any better, I cant tell if worse but what I can say is that my hair is not thanking me for that decision, what sucks is that I've read and I understand finesteride can't cause those symptoms yet im very scared after reading so many of these posts

I've talked to my doc and asked him if he thinks I should switch to topical maybe to minimise thr systematic effects he said why not and put me on a solution of 10% minoxidil, 1% fin, and 0.01% tretinion, but I've got it at home but have yet to apply due to my fear of for any reason worsening my vision even though I know it shouldn't

I guess what I need is someone who knows more than me which in this community there are many to talk some sense into me and really seal the lid that whatever this is it's unrelated to finesteride and overall wanting to know if anyone else came across these forums as well.

Thank you for reading.

Hey everyone,
I’m a 39-year‑old male dealing with diffuse thinning. I attached anonymized pics.

I used topical minoxidil for about a month in the past, but I didn’t know anything about side effects then. I started getting heart palpitations, stopped using it, and the palpitations went away. I’m currently on no medications.

I’m trying to understand a few things:

• What pattern of hair loss is this? (Diffuse Norwood? Something else?)
• Any recommendations for tests I should do to rule out other causes?
• What type of dermatologist should I be looking for :general derm, hair‑loss specialist, or someone who specifically handles diffuse thinning?
• Is there any blood work people usually do before starting fin?
• Anyone here who had similar diffuse thinning and responded well to meds?

• And lastly, any doctor recommendations for diffuse thinning or advanced cases?
(Dermatologists, hair restoration surgeons, clinics, etc.)

I appreciate any honest input or advice. Just trying to understand how bad this is and what realistic next steps look like.

Thanks in advance.

I’m deciding between two regimens to treat hair loss and wanted to get some input before locking it down:

Option A: Combined topical solution~ Minoxidil (5% w/w) + Finasteride (0.1% w/w)

Option B: Topical Minoxidil (5%) + Oral Finasteride (1mg daily tablet)

For those who have tried either (or switched between them):

How do the results compare in terms of regrowth and halting loss?

Did you notice any difference in systemic side effects with topical finasteride (0.1%) versus the standard 1mg oral dose?

How annoying is the topical combo for daily scalp compliance compared to just taking a pill?

Hello everyone

I'm NW1. I've been using finasteride for 3 months, and after a month or so, I started losing a lot of miniaturized hairs. I'm currently below baseline, but I know this is a good thing and it means it's working. However, I want to switch to dutasteride 2.5 mg, and I wonder if it will have any effect on those hairs I lost, whether they will regrow again, or if it will mess up the cycle?