First steps to dealing with hair loss...

[Voltiger]

Hello, gents. New to this site (just "Googled" it today) and relatively new to hair loss. I think, based on all of 45 minutes of research on this site, that I do not actually register on the Norwood Scale, but seem to have diffusive thinning. Hairline has receded a little since the hey-days, but still pretty thick everywhere except right up on the crown of my head. There is still hair there but you can most definitely see a fair amount of scalp.
The question for my first post is this: before embarking on a course of treatment, do you recommend going to see someone first, like a dermatologist or hair loss specialist? It is just a little bit daunting to try to develop my own regimen without having any real idea about all of this stuff.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[PersonGuy]

Hey buddy,
First of all welcome.

In regard to this site, there's a LOT of helpful people and information contained within. How you choose to use it is completely up to you. I will say this though. Here you'll find people like yourself who are very mildly worried about hairloss while at the same time you'll find people who find hairloss crippling and have let it affect them to the point where they don't leave the house. The difference between the two is ultimately a choice of how they deal with hairloss. Bottom line is this: It sucks...but it's not the end of the world.

You're fairly new of course so right now your best bet is to go through some of the forums do some reading and take in what you think sounds right and push the rest to the side. Feel free at any point to consult a derm or a hairloss specialist but I have to say from experience that most the people on this site know just as much as the "professionals" and some here know more.

All in all good luck.

 

[Maxpwr]

I would only really suggest seeing someone if you are concerned about whether your hair loss is due to MBP or whether it's caused by some other unknown factor (which is unlikely). Also maybe if you are concerned about possible side effects of finasteride, but you can do research online and on this site. Depending on where you're from you may need a prescription for finasteride, so you may have to see one anyway. Just be warned that not all doctors are experts in hairloss, so don't take everything you hear as gospel.

Other than that, the general advice we can give you is to get on the "big 3" as soon as possible. These are the most popular methods for regrowing hair and are medically proven to work. They are the most reliable of the products and are available worldwide. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences regrowth from using these treatments, so it's up to you whether you want to go ahead with it. In my opinion it's worth a try, but in order to gauge your results you should stick to the treatments for at least a year and a half, if not 2 years.

The "big 3" consists of:

1. Finasteride - Usually in tablet form. Prescription may be necessary. Brands such as Proscar or Propecia. Dosage approx. 1.25mg per day.

2. Minoxidil - Either foam or liquid. Available online (ebay, pharmaceutical companies) or possibly at a drug store. Brands such as Rogaine or Regaine (foam). Use 1 - 2 times per day

3. Nizoral - This is a brand of anti-dandruff shampoo which also benefits hair growth. Available from most drug stores or large supermarkets. Use every third day - wash and leave in for 3 - 5 minutes.

...and that's the gist of it. You need to make the decision whether or not you are going to go through with it - no one else can do that for you. You may hear of, or read about, many other medications, lotions, potions, gimmicks and regimes which claim to benefit hair growth, but so far these 3 are the best you can throw at it... and the most popular.

So maybe do some research and give it some thought. There's always someone on these forums who can give you advice or answer questions you may have. You're not alone.