Using minoxidil for beard growth while taking finasteride.

[S123456789]

I've always had really patchy and terrible facial hair (with large gaps of nothing on my cheeks). About ten months ago, I started using minoxidil (1ml, twice a day) on my facial hair. Over those months, new hairs have definitely shown up, but it's still pretty much barren land. I'm also taking 0.25mg of finasteride a day and have been at this dose for about a year now.

Since finasteride, even at this low dose, inhibits DHT, does this mean that in order to get the full potential of my facial hair, I'd have to basically stop taking finasteride? I know that the hairs on your face are affected by DHT, but in the opposite way from the hairs on your head.

It's just frustrating how long this is taking. I've read online that it can take up to two years, but to see such little progress in ten months makes me think it's because I'm taking the finasteride too.

[Adonis]

The hairs you already have on your face won't go away, but finasteride will inhibit the growth of new beard hairs. I'd say that you should look at the facial hair of your male family members to decide if you have a normal amount of facial hair. If your facial hair stopped growing before you took the drug then you have all the facial hair you ever will. If not, then you'll need to stop taking finasteride and then the hair will come.