Hi everyone,
I'd like to tell my story and seek some advice.
My father started balding at about age 25 and was what would be considered "bald" by age 30 (perhaps Norwood 4/5 from looking at family pictures). I know that this was something quite traumatic for him and he tried many treatments without success. This was before finasteride was around. For this reason I researched hair loss prevention many years ago and was determined to go on finasteride and minoxidil as soon as I noticed any hair loss.
Well, until age 28/29 I would say I had a perfect head of hair. I'm now 30 and have been receding but it was only 3 months ago that I actually noticed it. In those 3 months it seems to have accelerated frighteningly fast. Today I made the decision to hop on finasteride 1mg / day and have ordered minoxidil 5% foam.
I have two younger brothers aged 27 and 29 and I noticed their receding before mine was. In fact my youngest brother's hair loss is at a more advanced stage, and is balding on the dome, while my dome is still perfect. I thought maybe by some genetic quirk I might avoid it ,but here I am.
A final point which may or may not be relavent, I have been on accutane for the past 3 months for acne. I did a course of it 8 years ago and it worked wonderfully for my acne which has now returned. I do not intend to stop accutane unless I have strong evidence it is making my hair loss worse. Acne is similarly hard to live with as with hair loss. Judging from my family background and younger brother's hair loss, I believe it is probably a coincidence I am receding at a time when I'm on accutane.
I have attached three pictures of my current hairline, and one picture from exactly 1 year ago.
My questions would be:
What would you estimate my Norwood level to be?
Is now the right time to go on finasteride? I already have made my decision, and I expect the replies to be "yes", but I would still like to ask.
What can I expect in the next 5 years if I keep up this regimen? Improvement, maintenance, a slower rate of decline?
What can I expect in the short-term, say 6 months?
Any other comments or advice is welcome.
Thank you.
Max
I'd like to tell my story and seek some advice.
My father started balding at about age 25 and was what would be considered "bald" by age 30 (perhaps Norwood 4/5 from looking at family pictures). I know that this was something quite traumatic for him and he tried many treatments without success. This was before finasteride was around. For this reason I researched hair loss prevention many years ago and was determined to go on finasteride and minoxidil as soon as I noticed any hair loss.
Well, until age 28/29 I would say I had a perfect head of hair. I'm now 30 and have been receding but it was only 3 months ago that I actually noticed it. In those 3 months it seems to have accelerated frighteningly fast. Today I made the decision to hop on finasteride 1mg / day and have ordered minoxidil 5% foam.
I have two younger brothers aged 27 and 29 and I noticed their receding before mine was. In fact my youngest brother's hair loss is at a more advanced stage, and is balding on the dome, while my dome is still perfect. I thought maybe by some genetic quirk I might avoid it ,but here I am.
A final point which may or may not be relavent, I have been on accutane for the past 3 months for acne. I did a course of it 8 years ago and it worked wonderfully for my acne which has now returned. I do not intend to stop accutane unless I have strong evidence it is making my hair loss worse. Acne is similarly hard to live with as with hair loss. Judging from my family background and younger brother's hair loss, I believe it is probably a coincidence I am receding at a time when I'm on accutane.
I have attached three pictures of my current hairline, and one picture from exactly 1 year ago.
My questions would be:
What would you estimate my Norwood level to be?
Is now the right time to go on finasteride? I already have made my decision, and I expect the replies to be "yes", but I would still like to ask.
What can I expect in the next 5 years if I keep up this regimen? Improvement, maintenance, a slower rate of decline?
What can I expect in the short-term, say 6 months?
Any other comments or advice is welcome.
Thank you.
Max
