Which Works Best, Finasteride or Minoxidil?
It is useful to think of minoxidil as a fairly effective hair maintainer, but a weak re-grower, and finasteride as an excellent maintainer and a fairly effective re-grower. Dr. Elliott believes that the most effective medical therapy is the combination of finasteride and 5% minoxidil. (It’s what he uses himself!). Think of Finasteride as the engine and Minoxidil as adding a few more horsepower.
Do Medications Work for Everyone?
Finasteride will stop hair loss in about 90% of men who use it, minoxidil in less. Without medical treatment, about 90% will continue losing. Discuss this with your hair loss specialist physician and decide what is best for you.
Do Medications Work Everywhere?
Minoxidil is proven effective only in the crown (top back) and finasteride in the mid-scalp and crown. Imagine a line drawn from ear canal over the top scalp to the other ear canal. Medical therapy is proven effective behind that line. It may help in the front half as well, but this has not yet been proven.