I'm 21, and I've been losing my hair gradually since I was 18. I started using Minoxidil (Minoxidil Max: 15% Minoxidil and 5% Azelaic Acid) for over a year, noticed okay results but nothing spectacular, and so 6 months ago I started on finasteride (again, the Minoxidil Max brand but now with 15% minoxidil, 5% Az, and 1ml of finasteride).
Currently my hair looks a bit like this (this isn't me just something I found from Google Images):
I'm not sure where I fit on Norwood, possibly closer to 2A? My sides are better since I started on minoxidil but I've lost a lot at the front which is only partially covered up by long hair from the back. It doesn't look good, so I have to cover it up as best I can with toppik concealer. Some days I get away with it, other days less so. But I've come to the conclusion that I can't carry on doing that for much longer because of the effect it's having on my lifestyle. I avoid getting close to people when I can (toppik is obvious up close), avoid the rain/swimming pools, lack confidence when it comes to dating and all kinds of things. I've definitely become more reclusive as a result, especially when I go through a shedding period. I'm not depressed, but I do feel very self-conscious and anxious since I'm quite young. I'm tempted to go for a buzz cut but I'm terrified it will only look worse for my particular style of balding.
Has anyone been in this situation or can offer advice? Is 6 months too soon to notice results from finasteride? Also, (random question here!) would you recommend topical or oral finasteride and does it matter if you switch between the two? I'm using a topical solution but it leaves behind a thin film on my scalp which is a pain to get rid of.
Currently my hair looks a bit like this (this isn't me just something I found from Google Images):
I'm not sure where I fit on Norwood, possibly closer to 2A? My sides are better since I started on minoxidil but I've lost a lot at the front which is only partially covered up by long hair from the back. It doesn't look good, so I have to cover it up as best I can with toppik concealer. Some days I get away with it, other days less so. But I've come to the conclusion that I can't carry on doing that for much longer because of the effect it's having on my lifestyle. I avoid getting close to people when I can (toppik is obvious up close), avoid the rain/swimming pools, lack confidence when it comes to dating and all kinds of things. I've definitely become more reclusive as a result, especially when I go through a shedding period. I'm not depressed, but I do feel very self-conscious and anxious since I'm quite young. I'm tempted to go for a buzz cut but I'm terrified it will only look worse for my particular style of balding.
Has anyone been in this situation or can offer advice? Is 6 months too soon to notice results from finasteride? Also, (random question here!) would you recommend topical or oral finasteride and does it matter if you switch between the two? I'm using a topical solution but it leaves behind a thin film on my scalp which is a pain to get rid of.
