Is it working? Not sure if I made any progress

[hair_loss_azn]

Hi All,

Not sure if this is the correct section to be posting this (mods feel free to move if needed).
I'm a 22 year old that has recently noticed his hair loss about 1 year ago, Feb 2013 (when my hairdresser mentioned it). I've been doing treatments on and off since March 2013, and it started with just Regenpure DR and Biotin 10k. My hairline is not receding, just the crown area. It is not noticeable yet unless under direct lighting.

It has now evolved to a more stacked regime which consists of:

RYEO Shampoo (every other day)
Minoxidil 5% Rogaine foam (twice a day, since Jan 6 2014)
biotin 10k (6 times a week)

Started vitamins on February 7, 2014
b-50 (6 times a week)
saw palmetto 450mg (6 times a week)
vivscal (twice a day)
zinc 50mg (3 times a week)
kirkland fish oil 2capsules (6 times a week)

Previously I was on Regenpure DR and Biotin 10k everyday from Apr 2013 - November 2013. In addition to Lipogaine w/ AA once a day from July 2013 - November 2013.

I've attached some pictures and any feedback would be helpful. I'm just not sure if I made any progress or not.
Disclaimer: I've tried to be somewhat consistent with photos. Some photos do feature different lengths of hair n lighting. I do apologize.

March 19 2013


April 2013


June 2013 (Longer hair with flash)

December 2013 (Decided to leave it long)


Jan 7 2014 (went back shorter)


Jan 22 & 27th (natural lighting with light source above)

 

[hair_loss_azn]

Feb 10 2014 (just light source above)



Feb 17th (just natural lighting)


Today after a haircut n just light source above)


Again sorry if any images were not clear n they are hard to compare.
'and for some reason I had to double post due to unable to upload more images in the first post.

Thanks! Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[dreamermerlin]

what about finasteride?
Yes, it is abit better, but minoxidil takes 3-4 months to produce good results.

 

[hair_loss_azn]

as with some of the others on this forum, trying to avoid finasteride for as long as I can (due to possible sides). I do plan on going on it sometime july-august if no progress is made.

 

[Bad]

as with some of the others on this forum, trying to avoid finasteride for as long as I can (due to possible sides). I do plan on going on it sometime july-august if no progress is made.

If saw palmetto is working you will have the same sides as finasteride... The sides from finasteride are from low dht and thats what saw palmetto is supposed to do.

 

[GoldenMane]

Saw palmetto isn't as effective at lowering DHT though. People who have sides, I believe are those that have low testosterone levels. People with normal or high testosterone levels are probably less likely to be affected.

 

[hair_loss_azn]

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys!

For the past 3 weeks of using saw palmetto I haven't noticed any sides. But, maybe it's because I'm only taking 450mg/day.

As for the minoxidil foam, I'm using it as it is easier to apply compared to the liquid (based on my past experience with Lipogaine).
I believe it has halted my hair loss, as I don't see any hair left on my pillow anymore and the # of hairs lessened when I wash it (from around 40 to 20 ish).

I do plan on visiting the dermatologist soon (there is usually a long wait for the one near my area), and further evaluating my options.

Will try to keep everyone updated! Again, any other feedback on my progress so far (2-3months) or my regime is much appreciated!