Dutchguy21's story - (My hair situation (pics))

[Dutchguy21]

Hi there, I'm writing from The Netherlands. Hope you can understand what I'm writing down here.

I am 21 years of age at the moment and am propably a Norwood IIA or Norwood IIIA I'm not really sure.

My hairloss started around when I was 15 or 16 years of age, first my temples started receiding, I didn't care about it back then because nobody commented on it and my hair was just fine overall. A year ago I started noticing that not only were my temples slowly receiding, the hair in the front was starting to thin out at an alarming rate.

The first time I noticed the thinning was while doing my hair before I went out with a couple of friends, I was combing my hair and noticed that I could see my scalp more than before. Allthough I noticed this, again I didn't really care much and didn't think much of it. If only I had started doing something about it back then...

I still don't understand how I have gotten to where I am now concerning my hair. I did notice the hairloss but for some reason I just thought it wasn't that bad and it was a phase my hair was going through.

On a saturdaynight in a bar I bumped into a guy I hadn't seen for like 2 years, his first comment was "Boy are you getting bald!, what's your age again?" I told him I was 20, and he said that I looked like a 30 year old. I laughed like I didn't care and we talked about some other stuff but his comment on me looking like a 30 year old really did hurt me deep inside. As you may understand I couldn't think of anything else that night so I went home and looked in the mirror. It was like a train hitting me in the face, how could I have not noticed that it was THAT BAD. My hairline has since also receded quite an amount.

On my father's side of the family all the males started balding at the age of around 40. On my mother's side most of the males have a NWII or NWIII. I'm the only person in my family that has started loosing his hair this early.

I've always been very confident and never had any troubles picking up a date but since I've been become so obsessed with my hair my confidence dropped to zero. Since then I haven't had a single date because of my hair, I ask myself if it's because I'm not as confident anymore as I used to be or because of girls not liking balding guys.

But the worst thing is that I have the feeling I'm loosing my youth.

I could go on and on about this so I will cut this story short.

About my battle against hairloss.

I started looking on the internet and found some great sites, luckily those who already warned about the scams that are around. So I came up with a plan to start with "the big three". I first bought me some nizoral shampoo, after a couple of weeks I decided I would start Minoxidil and so I did, this was like 3,5 months ago. I started using Propecia 3 months ago and unfortunatly I haven't seen any improvements since then.

I know it's pretty early to say anything about it just yet so I will keep using these medicines for the months to come.

I have made photo's of my situation with some months in between and I have to say I'm very embarrassed to post these but I'm doing so anyway because maybe you guys will see some improvement, or maybe even worsening in my hair situation. I would also like to know what you think my Norwood is at the moment.

Thanks for reading this and I'm glad I've found a community with people suffering from this horrible condition (should I call it a condition?).

Here are the photo's I took:

Augustus 19th

November 5th 2006

Greetings Dutchguy21.

P.S. Sorry for the very long post. And sorry for the large images, I don't know how to post thumbnails.

 

[Aplunk1]

Your English is superb.

Excellent choice on using the big 3. I believe that you will achieve good results if you make a habit of applying your Rogaine morning and night, and taking your Propecia daily.

Remember to have patience, and keep taking photos. The results will begin sprouting in a few weeks. Your regimen will be like brushing your teeth.

Goodluck!

 

[melbwest]

Dutchguy,

I think you could also use Toppik, or a like product, on the vertex and any other thinning areas. You have enough hair, i think for at least a light application of Toppik. It should cover some thinning while you wait for your meds to take effect.

Good luck.

 

[Follically Challenged]

NW3.

Fortunately you still have some sprouts growing out of your hairline (maybe not your teenage hairline but a hairline nonetheless) so I've got high hopes for you.

Don't feel embarressed here. We are all suffering from or have suffered from hairloss and won't judge you. As long as you are trying we are with you man.

BTW, your English is fantastic. I forgot you were Dutch while reading your story.

 

[Dutchguy21]

Thanks for the replies guys, it really means a lot to me. I will keep you updated on my situation. I will take your advice into concideration. 8) Fortunatly I'm not thinning on the vertex, it's just the front of my head. I will keep using my meds daily and hope that I'll at least maintain what I have right now.