4 days on minoxidil 5% and scared

[hoefobulus]

Hello all, new to this forum.

I'm 25 and have been steadily balding on my crown since I was 19. There is still hair there, but my scalp is very clearly visible. My balding patch is roughly 6 inches square. I keep my hair short since I'm in the military but it is still very unsightly. I decided to try minoxodil 5% foam starting 4 days ago due to the fact that is is difficult for me to get a prescription for a so-called "cosmetic" medication and am afraid to buy it commercially due to regular drug tests.

My hair was obviously not looking good to begin with but at only 4 days into treatment my bald spot is visibly worse and is about 1/2" farther forward on my scalp. I am shedding quite badly, not counting hairs but just running my fingers through my hair result in quite a few hairs coming out.

I am quite upset about this obviously and am very unsure as to what to do. Is it normal to shed so badly so quickly? Is this a sign that it is working and can expect regrowth or should I stop immediately to try to salvage what I have. I'm tired of thinking of this so many times throughout the day.

An replies would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know what to do because I look even worse with a shaved head haha.

Thanks all.

 

[WarLord]

Hello all, new to this forum.

I'm 25 and have been steadily balding on my crown since I was 19. There is still hair there, but my scalp is very clearly visible. My balding patch is roughly 6 inches square. I keep my hair short since I'm in the military but it is still very unsightly. I decided to try minoxodil 5% foam starting 4 days ago due to the fact that is is difficult for me to get a prescription for a so-called "cosmetic" medication and am afraid to buy it commercially due to regular drug tests.

My hair was obviously not looking good to begin with but at only 4 days into treatment my bald spot is visibly worse and is about 1/2" farther forward on my scalp. I am shedding quite badly, not counting hairs but just running my fingers through my hair result in quite a few hairs coming out.

I am quite upset about this obviously and am very unsure as to what to do. Is it normal to shed so badly so quickly? Is this a sign that it is working and can expect regrowth or should I stop immediately to try to salvage what I have. I'm tired of thinking of this so many times throughout the day.

An replies would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know what to do because I look even worse with a shaved head haha.

Thanks all.

If you went with your male pattern baldness so far, then most probably the majority of your hairs are affected by male pattern baldness already, and they must be exchanged radically. I would actually say that this is a positive reaction, although it needs strong nerves. By the way, I would even add finasteride, because minoxidil alone may not be too effective at this male pattern baldness stage.

 

[hoefobulus]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess that I should add that the entire crown area where I'm experiencing the balding is consistently sensitive and I suppose dry would be the way to describe it. What hairs I have on the crown are all very thin and sickly looking and break very easily. I haven't noticed any other side effects from minoxidil so far, minus the drastic shedding. I'm wondering if finasteride would help with my scalp sensitivity issue? I'm also going to be picking up nizoral shampoo to try to help with this as well, unless someone can advise otherwise. Sometimes I feel that because my scalp is so itchy and sensitive, resulting in me constantly touching it, that I'm only making it worse. I wish I would have done something about this sooner, but I think I finally realized enough was enough. Hope I'm not too late.

 

[Philly78]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess that I should add that the entire crown area where I'm experiencing the balding is consistently sensitive and I suppose dry would be the way to describe it. What hairs I have on the crown are all very thin and sickly looking and break very easily. I haven't noticed any other side effects from minoxidil so far, minus the drastic shedding. I'm wondering if finasteride would help with my scalp sensitivity issue? I'm also going to be picking up nizoral shampoo to try to help with this as well, unless someone can advise otherwise. Sometimes I feel that because my scalp is so itchy and sensitive, resulting in me constantly touching it, that I'm only making it worse. I wish I would have done something about this sooner, but I think I finally realized enough was enough. Hope I'm not too late.

I'm also on foam 5% since may '12. I shed for maybe 2 weeks? I'm thinning on top but no bald spot yet....but i understand what you are saying about your hair being thin and sickly looking because mine were like that too. I've noticed improvement since a couple of weeks...my hair are much thicker and darker....and they grow much faster ! Also, i have tiny hair growing all over my scalp.

I would say give it a try for atleast 6 months.

 

[Beingbaldsucksass]

Telling the truth with a bald patch on the crown you got no choice reversing it

 

[WarLord]

Telling the truth with a bald patch on the crown you got no choice reversing it

I see that this forum needs a more positive atmosphere:
http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/medical-treatment/patient-photos/

Furthermore, the recent study of Rossi et al. (Finasteride, 1 mg daily administration on male androgenetic alopecia in different age groups: 10-year follow-up) shows very encouraging photographs (like a great regrowth of the whole crown area).