A Few Quick Questions From a New Member

[erovc]

Hello all,

I just registered onto this site. I've been checking this site out for about 2 years, just reading the topics discussed and contemplating on what to do about my hair loss. I'm 22 and have been losing hair on my hair line since the age of 18, it's receded about an inch back now and its thinned out in the front. I'm using nizoral right now and trying out the scalp exercise by Tom Hagerty. My questions that I've made from reading posts on this site:

1) I have read that Rogaine can indeed grow hair on the hair line on this site. True or False? If so, what's the best result someone has experienced?

2) I've seen some discussion about a "super shed" that will happen if you stop using Rogaine after about 3 months. Is this true? Is the hair that is shed from hair follicles that were previously not producing hair? In other words, will I lose more hair if I take Rogaine then stop?

3) I've looked at Bryan Shelton's results with Prox-N and Nano, and I am impressed even though it's slight regrowth. How does everyone feel about Prox-N and Nano?

4) I'm trying to stay away from internals as much as possible. These are my last resort. I like, or should I say "liked" my hair, but, I would choose to be healthy, than to have a full head of hair and hurting my body with out knowing it and paying for it in the long run. Anyway, what are the major side effects of taking propecia? I know of a couple, but how bad are they in your opinion?

5) I'm a poor college student, so, I really have to budget my funds with these hair loss products. About how much is propecia costing everyone a year? Rogaine?

6) Any other suggestions based upon what you have tried?

I think that's all for now, I know it's a lot. I've been checking this site out for quite some time and have stored up all my questions I guess. Thank you for your help to anyone who replies. Peace. I know, my spelling sucks!

Erovc

 

[Rage]

Nano and Prox-N.. never heard of them.

Yes Rogain (minoxidil) does work for many people (myleft included), as does propecia (finasteride / proscar)... you should learn the generic names of the drugs, because thats what you'll be taking being a poor student!

 

[socks]

1) I have read that Rogaine can indeed grow hair on the hair line on this site. True or False? If so, what's the best result someone has experienced?

Some men can regrow hair in the front using minoxidil. The reason why it is not on the box is because they didnt test that area of the scalp in the FDA trials.

It is my understanding though that it is most effective in the crown area.

2) I've seen some discussion about a "super shed" that will happen if you stop using Rogaine after about 3 months. Is this true? Is the hair that is shed from hair follicles that were previously not producing hair? In other words, will I lose more hair if I take Rogaine then stop?

Any hair that minoxidil effects **will** become minoxidil dependent for life. If you stop using minoxidil the hair will shed within 3-6months.

Hair that minoxidil does not effect (the hair that isnt being shrunk by DHT) should not be effected if you stop minoxidil.

3) I've looked at Bryan Shelton's results with Prox-N and Nano, and I am impressed even though it's slight regrowth. How does everyone feel about Prox-N and Nano?

No opinion there. Sorry.

4) I'm trying to stay away from internals as much as possible. These are my last resort. I like, or should I say "liked" my hair, but, I would choose to be healthy, than to have a full head of hair and hurting my body with out knowing it and paying for it in the long run. Anyway, what are the major side effects of taking propecia? I know of a couple, but how bad are they in your opinion?

From http://www.propecia.com website:

"THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Clinical tests showed PROPECIA was very well tolerated. Only a very small number of men had sexual side effects, with each occurring in less than 2% of men. They included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. When the men who had these side effects stopped taking PROPECIA, the side effects went away.


I would highly suggest you use Finasteride if you wish to keep your hair. It is not the only possible way but it is the only FDA approved way to stop male pattern baldness as the result of type 2 DHT.

5) I'm a poor college student, so, I really have to budget my funds with these hair loss products. About how much is propecia costing everyone a year? Rogaine?

See if you can get your doctor to prescribe you Proscar instead of Propecia. Both are the EXACT same drug. One is 1mg (Propecia) the other is 5mg (Proscar).

Proscar and Propecia costs the same without insurance. However, Proscar is cut into 1/4th for male pattern baldness. One bottle of Proscar lasts 4months where Propecia last one month.

If you do have insurance, it should pick up your Proscar prescription making it even less!!! Without insurance it will cost around $60USD. That equals around $60USD per month for Propecia or 15USD per month for Proscar if you're paying full-price.

Minoxidil 5% is about $25USD for a 3month supply in generic forum. There are more expensive less greasy formulas you can buy.

6) Any other suggestions based upon what you have tried?

I suggest the following:

1. Internal DHT blocker such as Finasteride or Dutasteride.

2. anti-inflammatory shampoo Nizoral every 3rd day leaving it on for 5-10mins. On the off days use a shampoo of your choice. Selsun Blue and T-Gel are good alternatives.

3. On the days you're not using Nizoral use Folligen. Folligen is a copper peptide compound that has anti-inflammatory properties. Apply it at night and wash it off in the morning.

4. Use a topical DHT blocker like zix w/ azelaic acid or spironolactone. Apply 2x a day.


I personally would hold off on the minoxidil. I dont think the results it gives is worth the commitment/money and grief (very greasy if you dont buy the more expensive stuff).

See how you do in one year and if you arent happy you can always add the minoxidil.

My routine is:

Morning:

Nizoral every 3rd day with Selsun Blue inbetween
Zix w/ azelaic acid

Evening:

Proscar 1/4th
zix w/ azelaic acid
Folligen before bed on days I'm not using Nizoral in the morning.


My shed stopped, my hair in my temples went from very light blonde back to brown NW0, my scalp is no longer sensitive, and my hair is rooted deep (wont come out even when I pull hard on it).

I'm not saying it will work for you but it has for me

GL

 

[erovc]

You guys rock! Thanx for replying. That's awesome. Socks, what were you on the Norwood Scale before you started your regimen? Also, what side effects have you noticed while taking any of those products listed in your regimen, mainly from Proscar, azelaic acid, and folligen (or haha, your whole regimen in other words)? I heard azelaic acid could leave white spots on the skin, is that true? Is folligen the product that makes the skin green? Thanx a bunch! See-ya's.

erovc

check these sites out:

This one inspires me:

http://www.angelfire.com/dc2/spooky/

Dr. Proctor's Homepage (the inventor of Prox-N and Nano)

http://www.drproctor.com/

Bryan Shelton's Pic's off this site (used Prox-N and Nano only):

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/photogallery/pgbryan.htm

 

[socks]

Socks, what were you on the Norwood Scale before you started your regimen?

I was a diffused thinner with temples heading to NW2. I shaved my head about 2months ago. It almost an inch in length now and I just got out of the shower. My hair hasnt looked this good in over 2yrs!!!! It is sooo awesome not to have to comb my hair to hide my temples

Also, what side effects have you noticed while taking any of those products listed in your regimen, mainly from Proscar, azelaic acid, and folligen (or haha, your whole regimen in other words)? I heard azelaic acid could leave white spots on the skin, is that true? Is folligen the product that makes the skin green?

I had **no** side effects from any of my current treatments. The only product that ever gave me a side effect was minoxidil which caused a huge shed. It was bad enough that I had to shave my head

Anyhow, Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) is a very safe drug. You can go to http://www.propecia.com from more details. About 2% of men experience sexual side effects. I hear that if you get sexual side effects it can go away after a few weeks. If not you can always stop treatment and the sexual side effects will go away.

The azelaic acid is a natural acid found in the food we eat. It is very safe.
I have medium brown hair and the azelaic acid has caused **no** discoloration of my hair what-so-ever

The zix is nothing more then zinc and B6. Again, very safe. There could potentially be a problem if you didnt follow the directions and put WAY to much zinc in your zix. The reason being is that zinc competes with copper in your body. Copper is necessary for hair growth so if you REALLY OD on the zinc you could cause problems... But as long as you make the zix according to the directions you'll be fine

The Folligen can leave a green "stain" that should come out when you wash your hair in the morning. For me I get **no** stain. I dont bother shampooing in the morning and you would never know the difference. The problem is most pronounced in blondes... The darker your hair the less noticeable the "green" will be.


If you have any other questions let me know