Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic Most likely you have a condition known as androgenetic alopecia. Family history of baldness is suggestive. Androgenetic alopecia is gradual and causes thinning and hair fall mainly from the front and vertex part of the scalp. There may also be widening and deepening of angles of anterior hair line and gradual recession of anterior hair line. Minoxidil and finasteride are approved for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Treatment is long term. The goal of treatment is to arrest or slow down further progression. Therefore treatment should be started early before hair loss has progressed to later stages. Though the topical solution that you heard from your friend contains minoxidil, however, I suggest you to visit a dermatologist for a confirmatory diagnosis and appropriate prescription rather than using a treatment on your friends advice. Moreover minoxidil alone won t solve your problem. Finasteride together with minoxidil is more effective than using minoxidil alone. Regards