33 And Finally Looking For Community

[longtimereader]

Ok. . . Don't know how to start one of these, but here goes. . .

I've always had a lot of hair but began losing it since I turned 18. I noticed that what used to naturally comb backwards into a pretty great, if wiry pompadour, began to lay more flat around the time I graduated from high school.
I started combing it forward or to the side and more or less got by, though I've been an on and off Minoxidil user since 2001 have been using both it and generic finasteride regularly since 2013.
Long story shot, after years of worry and frequenting hairloss forums to read and hope I'm at the end of the assumption that I can do anything else alone, but also in search of support.
I'm wondering what this community's perception of my level of loss is, what kind steps you would be taking if you were in my position (from treatments, hair styles, just buzzing it and pretending my face doesn't look like a wood carving of a bear with a Groucho Marx disguise thrown on).
Oh vanity . . . Anywho, thanks to any that read this.

 

[buckthorn]

Hey brother, welcome. Sad to say, I don't think you'll get too much legitimate support here because it doesn't even seem that you have male pattern baldness. What makes you think so? Do you have pics from years ago to compare? You have incredibly thick hair. imo would look a lot better short. It would really accentuate your nice facial features. Right now, it distracts from some of your more prominent features.

 

[longtimereader]

Thanks for the heads up and and opinion.
I've just felt/seen so many changes in the past ten years. Perhaps I'll post a wet pic.My dad and both my brothers are bald/balding like hell.
I guess I've been lucky (or just extraordinarily vain) in that I've been trying to combat genetics since I was 18. . .

 

[michel sapin]

hey bro , nice hairline . Does minoxidil help your hairline ? Do you got shedding when you quit minoxidil or when started ? Do you got unwanted body hair because of minoxidil or skin aging ?DO you use liquid or foam ?

Sorry for all the question.

 

[longtimereader]

hey bro , nice hairline . Does minoxidil help your hairline ? Do you got shedding when you quit minoxidil or when started ? Do you got unwanted body hair because of minoxidil or skin aging ?DO you use liquid or foam ?

Sorry for all the question.

Thanks for responding.
As far as hairline, I guess angles are everything. I like to think I do ok with what I've got I think. . . Except for the days I don't
My real worry is when what I've got isn't what I've got now.
I've only really experienced shedding when I got lazy and stopped minoxidil. I had really great response in the beginning now I guess I'm just trying to maintain. I try to rub it in deeply around the front and massage a bit extra around the crown. There are times where I'll tie a bandana around my head to (in my mind) hold the liquid in place (along with applying saw palmetto extract, one of the random, possibly crazy things I try).
Truth be told, I also inherited my father's body hair. I have been worried about my face lately, but I am all around vain (and over 30) and I try to adhere to a decent skin care routine. I use generic liquid minoxidil mostly, but have also used the foam in the past.
Glad to share my story.

 

[cyrusthegreat@hotmail.com]

Welcome.

How's your overall hair density compared to years past? Behind the hairline and at the vertex/crown.

 

[stachu]

Yeah, you looks like you have just big forehead, but f*** it. Density of your hair is like 4x of mine. Even if this guy will jump at NW2.5 Nobody will say that he is balding ( styled forward ofc ). Anyway, Hi! And yes. I also dont think that you have male pattern baldness.

 

[longtimereader]

Density, density has been good.
About a 1/4 - 1/2" behind the recession areas looks fine... There was a spell where I was getting wicked irritation/inflammation around the center of my cowlick, lately not so much though. Here's some wet picks...
I know, steamy.

 

[longtimereader]

Not that it matters, but pic updates. Hope everyone out there's been dealing well with life.
been trimming it shorter. . . Still thinking about transplant, but wondering if it's better to wait or pounce as early as possible and what any of the folks here would speculate on costs...

 

[Needmorehair11]

I definitely wouldn't get a hair transplant if I were you....you have great hair for being 33....I'm in the same boat as you...I have a big forehead and a just a little bit of recession and thinning along the hairline...I started Propecia 4 months ago so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the best...the only thing I would add if I were you would be to try dermarolling along your hairline before you apply minoxidil

 

[resu]

You have perfect density, only minor temple recession aka mature hairline.

 

[longtimereader]

Back at it again... been awhile and wondering what the opinions and consensus of treatment is lately. I’ve New much shorter pics. Thinking about transplant in a year as I might have some money, but not sure about the amount needed to make things look less old. Sometime I feel like jut the right side and some front fill in alone would tide me over a few years. Got my hair short for my wedding and I pushed it forward ok and I think the fact that I like the messy look helps. Opinions? Insights? Thanks.

 

[longtimereader]

I will say that is has been a boon to hear from the community. Thanks all, keep me mostly upbeat for a couple of years.

 

[disfiguredyoungman]

Duuuude...why are you worrying about your hair, that makes me feel more than bald...megabald

 

[longtimereader]

I can appreciate that sentiment. Different severities of the same malady. In my position it’s watching the slow death of hairstyles that I used to love to rock. I’m in a band and being around progressively younger and younger folks as I feel like I’m just coming into my own is a little dispiriting. Obviously my own problems.

 

[DoctorHouse]

You would need around 1800 grafts. We have a similar hair situation.

 

[disfiguredyoungman]

I can appreciate that sentiment. Different severities of the same malady. In my position it’s watching the slow death of hairstyles that I used to love to rock. I’m in a band and being around progressively younger and younger folks as I feel like I’m just coming into my own is a little dispiriting. Obviously my own problems.

I can understand that to some extent, aging is a b**ch. But look arround here and realize how blessed you are comparatively...20 year olds who went slick bald in a norwood 7 fashion.

Now THAT is life changing.Whatever you do, be it a hairtransplant or meds, realize that you have been blessed with your hair to some extent and try to appreciate it instead of feeling sad about minor loss.

 

[longtimereader]

There are days when I definitely do, and I know in retrospect even though I did technically start relatively early, I’ve had lots of good hair days. I did also get on minoxidil as soon as I knew there was a generic brand (thanks Costco) and found a dermatologist as soon as I had one near me. I’ve also had runs with saw palmetto, micro needling and scalp massaging/hair tugging.

 

[Oscar66]

Go away...

 

[tomJ]

Hey man don't sweat the minimal loss that you have..i would not get a transplant...and if I had that hair I would experiment with going even shorter to showcase your masculine features...no homo fyi...but seriously your hair looks great man.