How Bad Is My Thinning, And Should I Try Propecia? (pics)

[Jerrod]

Hey everyone, I recently got a haircut and I just really started to realize how much my hairline has receded and It's really daunting. I also decided to just check out the crown of my head to see if I could see anywhere it was potentially thinning, and to my displeasure I found a small, area where it was clearly not as thick as the rest of my hair. I'm 18 years old, and I would love to keep my hair for as long as possible. I've been seeing a lot of negative reviews about finasteride but also a lot of positive reviews about it as well. Some people I've seen have even been using it for years. I guess I'm just confused and need guidance. Any help anyone can offer is welcome, thanks

 

[dralex]

You're around a NW2 or getting close to it. I would recommend getting on finasteride if you want to keep your hair. Doesn't work for everyone, but maintains for the majority of users. If you plan on taking it, I would get on it asap, as you have a decent amount of miniaturization going on right now on your hairline.

 

[Jerrod]

You're around a NW2 or getting close to it. I would recommend getting on finasteride if you want to keep your hair. Doesn't work for everyone, but maintains for the majority of users. If you plan on taking it, I would get on it asap, as you have a decent amount of miniaturization going on right now on your hairline.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I see from your regimine you take it, how long have you been taking it and have you had any side effects?

 

[dralex]

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I see from your regimine you take it, how long have you been taking it and have you had any side effects?

I've been taking it nearly 3 years. I started when I was 20, am 23 now. No side effects that I am aware of, but I haven't been a great responder either. I have continued to lose hair, and have actually had a majority of my hair loss since taking it. I think it is doing something, just not at all what I had expected. I had caught my hair loss fairly early (was a NW2), but it was kicking in fairly fast when I started. Still have no bald spot on the crown, but pretty bad diffuse thinning and very bad hairline recession. I still encourage others to take it because I would say I am in the minority. Most people at least maintain what they have for the next 5 years+, especially if caught early.
Also side effects, although they exist, seem to be over-exaggerated on the forums. Most people experience no serious side effects from the drug, and if you do they almost always subside after quitting. So if you experience side effects I recommend quitting the drug.

 

[Jerrod]

I've been taking it nearly 3 years. I started when I was 20, am 23 now. No side effects that I am aware of, but I haven't been a great responder either. I have continued to lose hair, and have actually had a majority of my hair loss since taking it. I think it is doing something, just not at all what I had expected. I had caught my hair loss fairly early (was a NW2), but it was kicking in fairly fast when I started. Still have no bald spot on the crown, but pretty bad diffuse thinning and very bad hairline recession. I still encourage others to take it because I would say I am in the minority. Most people at least maintain what they have for the next 5 years+, especially if caught early.
Also side effects, although they exist, seem to be over-exaggerated on the forums. Most people experience no serious side effects from the drug, and if you do they almost always subside after quitting. So if you experience side effects I recommend quitting the drug.

Okay, thank you so much for your input. Have you ever considered switching to Dutasteride? I hear that some people do after finasteride either doesn't work initially or stops working after a little bit.

 

[dralex]

Okay, thank you so much for your input. Have you ever considered switching to Dutasteride? I hear that some people do after finasteride either doesn't work initially or stops working after a little bit.

Yeah I'm looking into it atm. Not pumped about the super long half-life of it in comparison to finasteride tho. Have an appointment with my dermatologist soon, and was going to ask his thoughts on it/possibly try to get a prescription for it.