Could someone give me some answers/help?

[David77]

I've very recently noticed receding, and thinning in my hair... I'm 21, nearly 22, my mother has quite fine hair, whilst my Dad's is very thick. It's not really that noticeable at the moment (my hair is quite long compared to how most people have it these days), but I'm worried that it's going to go that way soon (how long can it take after the initial signs?)

I'm quite shy, and insecure, so it's something that is concerning me, and I'm not really sure what I should do first in tackling the problem. Could someone give me some advice on this?

I've read a lot on sites about different treatments such as propecia, and I'm wondering if this would be good for me to use? It seems, if these drugs are about preventing further loss, then the earlier you start, the better?

Any info/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[x5o]

Most definitely! Start immediately. The sooner the better. I found that Proscar worked well for DRAMATICALLY slowing my loss. minoxidil. made me shed and irritated my scalp. I just recently started a diff. type of minoxidil. as a decade later my loss is getting a little worse. Remember the proscar slowed, not stopped my thinning, but hey, it let me keep a full head of hair through my twenties and most of my 30's. Good luck and don't hesitate.

 

[David77]

Thanks for the reply...

Your story about it helping prevent hairloss throughout your twenties is encouraging. That's probably my biggest fear... I'd like to still have the hair I have now, throughout that stage of my life also.

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow... It's actually for a seperate problem, but should I bring my concerns up to him?

Also, the reason I'm seeing him, is that I suffer mildly from acne (fortunately, it's just my back)... I'm not taking anything at the moment , but I wonder how well these two problems co-existed?

 

[x5o]

I too suffered from acne into my early twenties. It gradually improved over the years but I did notice that it completely diminished after being on proscar. Keep in mind though that when I started proscar it was prescribed "off label" by my doctor - that is to say at the time it was not yet approved for hair loss. So I have been on the 5mg. dose now for 10+ years. I can't say how the 1mg. dose works but I hear it is similar with the results one gets. As far as bringing it up to your doctor - certainly. Doctors are much more educated on this stuff now and I think most are willing to prescribe meds. for hair loss now. Back when I started I think I went to about 20 doctors before I found one willing to prescribe the proscar for hair loss. Relate my story to your doctor, maybe you can take care of your acne and your hairloss with one pill. I wish the pill was around back in the 80's when I first began to panic over my hair changes. Consider yourself lucky that you are going through this now and not back then. By the way, proscar and propecia are both names for the drug finistearide. Proscar is 5mg. finistearide and Propecia is 1mg. finistearide.

 

[David77]

Thanks... I'll talk with my doctor. Although, to be honest, he's quite old, so I don't know what he'll say. I was going to see him to ask him to let me see a dermatologist (for my back)... I presume they'd know quite a bit about hair as well though.

You can just buy propecia off the net though I believe?

The other thing I wanted to ask about, was diet... mine is pretty awful (take aways and not much else). Is it important to have a reasonably healthy diet? And if so, is there anything more essential than anything else?

 

[x5o]

Tell your doctor specifically what you want immediatly upon speaking with him. Tell him that if he is not willing to prescribe it for you than you don't want to waste your time, his time and your money on the appointment. There are plenty of doctors out there willing to help. If you need a referral from him for a dermatologist, get it and the Derm. should help you. You shouldn't have to pay for an appt. though just to get a referral. Remember the doctors are working for you. You certainly pay them enough. That's not to say that you should go in demanding and abrasive, but assertive and straightforward is the way to be. Also, educate yourself on the meds. you are going to be asking for. Have your facts and figures and dosages ready when you talk to the Doctor. Become familiar with the PDR (Physicians Desk Ref.).

Ok, you asked about diet. Yes, absolutely diet is important. For all aspects of your health. If you're on the run a lot try adding supplements like "Boost" or "Ensure" to your diet. Grab a slimfast instead of a coke the next time you are in 7-11. Slimfast only causes weight loss when you replace a meal with it - if you compliment a meal with it, it can provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients you may not get with your regular diet. Eat sensible when possible. Believe it or not you can get healthy foods at the fast food restaurants. For example, I may get two hamburgers, chicken nuggets and water and yogurt and fruit from McDonalds - absolutely nothing wrong with that meal. Wendys salad selection with water and lemon are also healthy. Good luck.

 

[David77]

Okay, thanks for a lot for your replies. I've printed some stuff off from healthology.com, which was an interesting read.

One final question though... Is it important to take anything else other than propecia/proscar or is it worth just seeing how I do on that for a while?

I know it's different for everyone, but the idea of just taking a pill a day, is most appealing.

 

[x5o]

I would not jump right into minoxidil therapy as it is a "life time marriage". But I would definitely get on Nizoral shampoo and take an oral supplement like cysteine w/vit. C and biotin. A lot of folks around here taught products like folligen. I have not researched it but it sounds like it could be useful. I may add it to my regimine soon. Personally I use Polysorbate 80 to cleanse my scalp before shampooing with nizoral. It's an "old timers" remedy. Some (probably a lot) of people think that it has no benefit, but some believe it can actually block DHT and grow hair as well. I like it and use it and believe that it helped me keep my hair until proscar came out. I have used it off and on for close to 20 years. One last thing, don't use Nizoral everyday. Every other or 2 to 3 times per week should be sufficient.

 

[Guest]

I would not jump right into minoxidil therapy as it is a "life time marriage". But I would definitely get on Nizoral shampoo and take an oral supplement like cysteine w/vit. C and biotin. A lot of folks around here taught products like folligen. I have not researched it but it sounds like it could be useful. I may add it to my regimine soon. Personally I use Polysorbate 80 to cleanse my scalp before shampooing with nizoral. It's an "old timers" remedy. Some (probably a lot) of people think that it has no benefit, but some believe it can actually block DHT and grow hair as well. I like it and use it and believe that it helped me keep my hair until proscar came out. I have used it off and on for close to 20 years. One last thing, don't use Nizoral everyday. Every other or 2 to 3 times per week should be sufficient.

They are ALL life time therapy options!

 

[x5o]

True Bruce, but minoxidil in particular causes a quick loss of gained hair upon cessation of therapy. I know "quick" is subjective, but proscar for instance will take about a year before one would revert back to "pre-proscar" hair. On the other hand, upon cessation of long term minoxidil. therapy one would revert back to pre-minoxidil. hair (and often times worse than upon initiating therapy) in a matter of months. I should note that studies have shown that although one may revert to a state of less hair than at the start of minoxidil. therapy upon cessation, the subjects did within a year return to the original pre-minoxidil. state. <wordy but I hope you follow me.

 

[Guest]

True Bruce, but minoxidil in particular causes a quick loss of gained hair upon cessation of therapy. I know "quick" is subjective, but proscar for instance will take about a year before one would revert back to "pre-proscar" hair. On the other hand, upon cessation of long term minoxidil. therapy one would revert back to pre-minoxidil. hair (and often times worse than upon initiating therapy) in a matter of months. I should note that studies have shown that although one may revert to a state of less hair than at the start of minoxidil. therapy upon cessation, the subjects did within a year return to the original pre-minoxidil. state. <wordy but I hope you follow me.

Its a fine distinction but reverting is reverting, no? Whether it is slow or fast, there are no permanent cures to male pattern baldness (save transplant) so not using minoxidil based on its having to always be used is not logical I think.

This assumes you are in the male pattern baldness fighting for the long hall.

 

[David77]

Hey guys, I've seen a dermatologist and he said it looked like male pattern baldness, and gave me info on minoxidil and finasteride. (stuff I already knew really)... He told me because of the side effects of finasteride. he would try minoxidil, but most people I've spoken to on here, and other sites have said propecia, so I want to try that first (he had a full head of thick hair, so I trust you guys more).

I'm going to my doctors tomorrow to get a prescription. However, living in the UK, it seems the cheapest option for me is to get it from an internet site. Is there anyone here from the UK who does it this way, and could tell me which is the best site?

The dermatologist has set up another appointment for me, this time on the NHS, in a couple of months. I'm a little worried about going back to him, telling him that I have been using proscar cut into 4 pieces (which is what I'm planning)... When I spoke about this with him, he looked at me with a blank look on his face.

Any further advice would be much appreciated... Thanks a lot x5o for your help.

 

[HairlossTalk]

He told me because of the side effects of finasteride. he would try minoxidil

Problem: Doctor misinformation/miseducation (again). The two treatments are incredibly different than eachother. Its not really an either-or situation, where you have two similar treatments, and all things considered they're the same, but 'propecia has side effects'. One is way more effective than the other, one is used for maintenance while the other is a growth stimulant, one is great for newly diffuse thinners while the other isn't as great for that, etc. You know this stuff already im sure, but just wanted to point out another confused doctor

I'm a little worried about going back to him, telling him that I have been using proscar cut into 4 pieces (which is what I'm planning)... When I spoke about this with him, he looked at me with a blank look on his face.

LOL ... Problem? Doctor misinformation/lack of education (again). Blank look on his face. :lol: Expect it. You know more about your condition than your doctor does. Welcome to healthcare in 2004 For all you who still think doctors are fully educated, Im going to continue to point these posts out.

PS... you might consider diluting the proscar in alcohol into 5 parts to optimize the chance of 1mg daily dose and minimize the chance of side FX. They do increase from 1mg to 1.25mg in some people.

HairLossTalk.com

 

[Hinde]

HairLossTalk.com: Which one is better for recent diffuse thinners?

 

[NilesTilden]

Lotsa guys can maintain with finasteride alone. But for many, finasteride by itself doesn't do the job. If after 6-12 months on it you're not happy with results, or have continued thinning/recession, you'd best get on the minoxidil at least once per day.

My hair continued sucking for 3 years on just finasteride. But, over the last year, minoxidil has saved me ***!

 

[HairlossTalk]

Hinde: Propecia.

I had the alternate response. I had total complete maintenance on Propecia after a few bad sheds and a good 8 months of using it... lasted me 3+ yrs. Propecia by itself (with nizoral shampoo).

HairLossTalk.com

 

[David77]

I've read up on shedding, but something that I still haven't found an answer to is just how drastic a shed can get? At the moment I'm just thinning at the front, and it's not that easy to notice, unless in a certain light... Could a shed make things really noticeable?

Anyway, I'll be buying the proscar and some nizoral later on today, so if things do work out really well (or the opposite), I'll let you guys know... Thanks a lot for your replies. These sites have been a great help.

 

[Kramer3]

David how drastic a shed can be is relative and differs from person to person. I personally had/have one bad shed where I lost 30% of my density in a matter of 3 weeks. I went from able to easily cover it up to noticeably thin. You just have to hope that this is a signal of better things to come. Some people experience barely detectable sheds, I just wasn't one of them.