20 years old - What to do?

[zaymar]

Hello, its my first post here.
Im 20 and since a month or two ago ive realized my hair has been thinning out and the temple areas receding.

There's a noticeable amount of hair left in my hands from shampooing and on my pillow in the morning.
I have 2 older brothers (about 10 years older) and they all have one stage or another of male pattern baldness but haven't had it from my early age.

http://www.alviarmanihairtransplant.com/education/slide_hairlossscale.jpg

If I base it off that chart I found I would say im pattern 2, class 2/3, but the front region has thinned out a small bit as well.
Brothers are all about class 5 and dad is class 7 (pattern 2 but i can see a hint of pattern 5 in all of them).

Ive been to the doctor and he recommended finasteride but im just not comfortable assuming that risk at all, so that's definitely out of the question.

Ive ordered Rogaine already (itll be here soon but dont let this stop you from telling me i dont need it/shouldnt have it, i didnt buy a large/expensive amount).
Im already using Nizoral 2% every second day for about 1 month with no noticeable reduction in hairs lost after shampooing. (Every other day is a typical shampoo with zinc)

Suggestions, discuss, opinions, what can i expect? what to do? help! thank you!

EDIT: Ive had a chance to take pictures now. Thanks guys.

 

[zaymar]

I dont like to bump my own posts but it took so long to become live I didnt want it to go unnoticed. Thanks.

 

[dinosaur_sr]

finasteride is the only thing that actively stops your hair loss, Rogaine will only last you so long. Plus the 'risk' is no riskier than most other common medication - lasting side effects are extremely rare. If your doctor recommends it, you should go for it in my opinion. That whole 'you regret the chances you don't take more than the ones you do' deal. I'm on it ten months now and it's been all good.

 

[zaymar]

Back

Hey everyone,
So i started using Rogaine Foam 5% a little over a month ago (twice daily, also using nizoral 1% every 2/3 days), i'm applying it on the front (temples) and working my way back to where I can still see thinning.
I had some decent shedding from week 2 to 4 (roughly) and right now light shedding but it doesn't feel like its going to stop anytime soon. I would say comparing the hair from before I started to now its gotten worse (not massively so, but noticeable).

My questions are

1. At what stage has the 'shedding period' / 'period without results' gone for too long?
2. At what stage if ever should I drop down to once daily applications?
3. My hair is pretty dry after using Rogaine, is this a problem for hair loss?
4. I feel like if one application is enough to stop progression then my hair wouldnt be so dry during the day and would give me a better chance, thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[soccerfan987]

i would go on a paleo diet.

 

[M_Dorsey]

i do know that stress cause hair loss, poor diets also cause hair loss,try to eat more protein. i suggest you to make an appointment with your dermatologist or a hair specialist