38yo, NW2.5, 3.5mo on minoxidil+tretinoin+microneedling — is it time to add finasteride?

General Basic Questions
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1

Hey all. Looking for some input on whether I should add finasteride to my current stack.

Profile:

  • 38M, noticed recession ~1 year ago

  • Likely NW1 4 years ago, NW2-ish 2 years ago, currently around NW2.5

  • Father is NW3 at 68 (mild family history, late onset)

  • I have a mustache and a goatee, no beard on cheeks and a 1cm width line of beard on the jawline, from chin to hair.

Current stack:

  • Topical minoxidil 5% — 3.5 months in

  • Added tretinoin 0.01% ~1 month ago (combo solution, once daily)

  • Microneedling at home every 2 weeks, 0.7mm dermapen

Side note: I’m also using minoxidil on my beard (same duration), so I do have a mild concern that finasteride might slow beard progress since DHT promotes facial hair growth.

No results visible yet on either front, which I know is expected at this stage.

Questions:

  1. Would you add finasteride now, or wait to see if the current stack alone holds things?

  2. Has anyone here noticed finasteride affecting beard growth or beard minoxidil results?

Appreciate any input, especially from people who were in an early stage when they started.

2

You can add finasteride now if you’re mainly focused on stopping hair loss, but it might slow beard growth since DHT affects facial hair. If you’re worried about the beard, consider continuing your current routine a bit longer. Results with hair loss treatments can take time, often up to a year. Check out other users’ experiences on beard impact with fin on tressless.