I began using Rogaine in 1996 when I noticed scalp showing through on the back of my head. Hair was so thick elsewhere that I had not noticed it before. The Rogaine never really seemed to create new growth but stopped the loss and I continued this stoppage until 2007. I later added Propecia then Avodart both of which ast medicinally to stop the breakdown of testosterone to compounds that shrink hair follicles on the head. This combo seemed also to stop the hair loss but not do much to create more. I was especially annoyed at the breakage of hair on front of head making it look like there wasn't much hair on top front of head. Then I switched to the portable low level laser treatment. That has worked better than the others and though regrowth is not terrific, loss has been stopped as with the other treatments and the hair grows substantially longer on the front now. I would recommend this one. Apparently the laser light activates the mitochondria (growth cells) in the follicles creating new growth -- hope it continues to work for me and for you too if you try it. Good luck.