Propecia and Rogaine (minoxidil), which one better

Propecia vs Rogaine , Propecia or Rogaine is many people's question if he really need to choose either one. I found some article that said, perhaps you should choose Propecia over Rogaine.
http://www.regrowhair.com/non-surgical-hair-loss-treatments/propecia-verses-rogaine/

Propecia (finasteride) is a pill that is taken orally in the dosage of 1mg of finasteride. It works to inhibit Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - the hormone responsible for genetic hair loss.

Rogaine (minoxodil) is a topical formula applied to the balding area in the recommended dosage 1ml applied twice daily. Rogaine works by stimulating the hair follicle which may increase the hair shaft diameter and elongate the anagen (growing) phase - thus regrowing hair. Rogaine however, does nothing to stop genetic hair loss as it does nothing to inhibit DHT.

Taking both Propecia and Rogaine together are said to have a synergistic effect, thus being the best fighting force against hair loss when taken together. However, if one were going to choose one over the other - because Propecia inhibits DHT, it has a better chance of stopping hair loss than Rogaine that simply stimulates hair growth.

Of course, I recommend researching any hair loss medication and learn about the benefits, risks, and limitations before ordering it. I also recommend consulting with a medical doctor.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Propecia_or_Rogaine_better

Any medicine which is developed for use in America has to go through laboratory tests and clinical trials; after which it has to be approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) before it can be available to the public.

In America, the FDA has approved only two drugs, namely finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) for use in hair loss. Men can use both the drugs but women can only use Rogaine and not Propecia. If you are not American, you should find out under which brand name these drugs are available locally.

• Propecia is available as a pill and has to be taken once a day with or without food. Propecia works by decreasing the enzyme activity that results in the formation of a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is primarily responsible for male and female pattern baldness. By blocking the conversion of hormones into DHT it helps to maintain the existing hair as well as in assisting re-growth of thinning hair follicles. In male pattern baldness, during each cycle of hair growth, the hair becomes thinner and finer till it stops growing altogether. Propecia helps by making these thin strands thicker.

• Rogaine is a solution of which ten drops need to be applied on the scalp twice a day. Although the exact action of Rogaine is unclear, researchers believe that it primarily prevents hair from thinning but in some patients can also increase the protein blocks which in turn make the hair follicles sprout new hair. When Rogaine is applied where there are hair follicles, it works as a hypertrichotic agent that can actually promote hair growth.

For either of these drugs to work they need to be taken for long periods. Propecia has to be taken for at least 6-8 months after which if you see any difference in hair loss, you will naturally want to continue it. Rogaine has to be taken indefinitely as we keep getting new hair follicles which need to continually be treated with the drug.

For women there is no question of which is better as Propecia is not approved for their use.

For men, studies and clinical trials seem to suggest that Propecia is a better alternative than Rogaine. Rogaine has proved to be more useful in holding on to existing hair whereas Propecia does help in also promoting new hair growth. Even though this may be the case, each medicine has its own benefits and you may benefit more from one than the other. So really it boils down to being a personal choice and what works best for you.

Weekly summary - 41st week

This week is the 41st week I am in Propecia 0.5mg. I have took the photos as a record compare with week 33 and and week 2.
By photos alone, it is hardly to judge if my hair is thicker or my miniature hair has grown healthier and longer than week 33. I would have to said there is no much different than week 33. What you guys opinion?
About sides effects of Propecia, I feel my libido has back to normal in recent week. Hair loss is about the same, which I think is normal of 120 strands or less per day.
I think until now Propecia at least has halt the hair loss slower. It is definatley better than doing treatment is Yun Nam hair care (a total cheater) or Beijing 101or even Svenson Hair care. I would suggest you to visit dermatologist for advise if you have hair loss problem and if you are confirmed suffered from MPB, then Propecia is the current best treatment. Of course, Minoxidil (Rogaine) is another option. Personally, I still have more confident for Propecia comapre with Minoxidil.

Euro 2008 and me

I like football. Well, I should said I like watching football.
Again, this Euro 2008 is one of the big days in my calender.
I have woke up 2.45am for some big games during weekdays and took annual leaves when the last game of Group of Death (Group C) was played.
I predict the Semifinals between Turkey and Germany quite obvious who will be the winner. Germans has no excuse not to advance to finals after 12 years ago in England. Turkey team is full of suspension and injury until their 3rd choice keeper need to pay outfield.
Another clash Russia and Spain is again favour to big names. However, with Guss Hiddink, you may expect another upset. Spain may not repeat the 4-1 result in their first group match.
Wake up early is bad for my hair. SO I have to go to bed now. Cheers

Weekly Summary - 40th week

Another milestone today. It is the 40th week I am in Propecia medication with 0.5mg dosage.
Just this evening, I went to One Utama's Watson to buy Propecia. While I wanted to pay RM 158 of one box of Propecia, the cashier told me that their one and the only one credit card machine is downed and I have to pay cash instead. Since I have only RM50 in my wallet, I ask to cancel my order.
I went to Guardian, another pharmacy which the Propecia price is higher, RM 160, ask for a prescription and unfortunately, I have no prescription with me which I normally leave it at home. No choice, need to withdraw money from ATM and back to Watson.

This week my hair loss is quite normal. About 40 ~50 strands while washing my hair. Libido is still OK. But there is no significant result after 40 weeks taking Propecia. My frontal hair is not improving if not become worse. My crown also not thicker than before. There is miniature hairs in the frontal, but normally will drops after 7 to 8 cm. It is sad to see this as the hair not growing until mature.

Weekly Summary - 39th week

I received comments that I have quite a lot of miniature hair as it is shown in the photos on week 33. I would like to stressed that miniature hair may not be as good as you think. Miniature can be a strong healthy hair that have falls and it grows it back with a smaller, not that strong hair with normally the colour of the miniature hair is not as dark as the healthy hair.
I have more miniature hair but I also feel my hairline reside actually. Good sign if you have more miniature hair? Not really. If you hairline maintain while gaining more miniature hair, congratulation. Else, you can not say it is a positive sign.
My libido actually improve significantly in recent week. I can said it is almost 80% back to normal. However, I do not gain much hair to be honest. The frontal just seem never become thicker. I just feel that my frontal hair line reside and I do not know how long my hair can cover my M shape frontal. It really worry me.

Weekly summary - 38th week

Before I report my condition this week, I just reply two comments I received in previous post.
MightyIndividuo
Thanks for you link regarding the cloning hair that may be a hope for bald man like us. I also hope it will be a success soon but I do think this will be very costly at least for 5 years or so. So, till now we just hope the best of Propecia.
baka.neko
What you have gone through now is what it happen to me in 2004. Exactly hopeless feeling with no solution. I did know of Propecia last time but I have no courage to take Propecia due to the sides effect. Yun Nam haircare will only burn your pocket and bring no results to your hair. Save your money and try Propecia and if Propecia also can not save your hair, how can those so call consultants can? Wake up. I regretted I woke up too late to realise how stupid I am. Continue your Propecia and come to my blog often to leave me a message of your progress.

I have a quite normal week which my hair loss is almost the same with last week and libido is improving compare with one month ago. However, I still worry that shedding and low libido with haunt me back.
Miniature hair or baby hair at my frontal not as strong as I think and I not putting high hope that I can recover my M shape frontal. Maintain my hair is my priority.

Weekly summary - 37th week

As I mention last week, there are several condition after taking propecia, which condition or category you in if you are taking Propecia? I am in condition 2 or condition 3 and hope for condition 4. Please refer here if you don't know what I talk a bout.
I have some increase in libido in these two weeks and hair loss about the same with previous week. That means the hair shedding is a bit better than previous week and just a little improvement.
Hair growth still a long long way or it may never happen. Propecia only delay my hair loss instead of regain it back. There is no certainty is medicine will gain back the hair you loss. This is what the people who took it must bear in mind.
Recently there is someone leave a comment that his doctor ask him to split a 1mg Propecia to half which is 0.5mg. It is similar of what I am doing now. This is what I read from some article in internet that even a 0.2mg Propecia is not much different from 1mg and I assume a higher dosage of 0.5mg should be quite as effective as 1mg.