Just noticed hair loss - Please help!!

minoxhelpplease · Jun 19, 2011

Hi Guys,

I'm 26 years old and about a month ago now I noticed my hair is thinning a bit in the crown area. It is really not noticeable to anyone but myself at this point, but I am definitely thinning there. From what I can tell, the progression is very slow as when I look back on pictures even a year ago, it seems to be in a similar state - I just hadn't noticed it. Also, I've always had a bit of a widows peak, even as a kid, but a couple of years ago I noticed my hairline had receded a bit at my temples. Doesn't seem to have changed much in the last two years, so possibly I've just grown into my "mature" hairline.

Anyways, initially after doing some research I decided that rogaine would be my best bet. I don't believe I need to go on multiple medications at this point, and more specifically I want to stay away from propecia as my dermatologist advised me against it. I haven't started on rogaine or any other treatments yet, but I plan to shortly.

Based on what I've just described, does rogaine sound like my best bet? And if so, do you think it would be possible to maintain what I have indefinitely on rogaine seeing as any loss is minimal and occurring slowly?

The other reason I am posting here has to do with my brothers hair line. He is 3 years older than me (29) and has nearly an identical hairline to me. But his hair is straight and mine is a bit wavy. He has no signs of hair loss on his crown... So i began to wonder if maybe I am just naturally thinner in that area? Or maybe this is some other type of hairloss.. I guess I am just second guessing my choice to start rogaine if this is being caused by some other factor, or if my hair wouldn't naturally get any thinner. I'd be happy to keep it the way it is. Any suggestions?

slurms mackenzie · Jun 19, 2011

If you want to be where you are now in 2 to 3 years time, and have hair that's dependent upon minoxidil go for it.

As good as it is, it's not going to stop your hair loss from occuring it's just going to give your current hair a boost instead.

Which is why (and this really is just a personal opinion) i think it's best for people to halt the progression of their hair loss by inhibiting DHT, before attempting to regrow hair with minoxidil, that way they know they know they're doing enough to stop future hairloss.

Propecia is the simplest way to do that, but for whatever reasons it's not every ones cup of tea there are topical DHT blockers, which for slow hair loss may prove effective, for example,

- topical spironolactone
- revivogen
- RU (actually quite powerful)

minoxhelpplease · Jun 19, 2011

Thanks for the quick reply, sir chugalot - any and all other opinions would also be greatly appreciated.

I'll definitely look into some alternatives to propecia.. spironolactone seems like it might be a great option as well. Would you recommend starting on just spironolactone? or combining it with Min?

Also, if it's relevant - my grandfather on my moms side has VERY similar hair/hairline to me.. And at 85 he still has hair.. although its thin, his whole head is covered. Not sure if that means anything though.

slurms mackenzie · Jun 19, 2011

minoxhelpplease said:
Thanks for the quick reply, sir chugalot - any and all other opinions would also be greatly appreciated.

I'll definitely look into some alternatives to propecia.. spironolactone seems like it might be a great option as well. Would you recommend starting on just spironolactone? or combining it with Min?

Personally i've been using revivogen and spironolactone for about three months now and i've noticed some thickening and a little bit of regrowth, it seems to be a popular combo round here. It really would depend upon how much you felt you needed to regrow your thinning hair you might find, inhibition of dht is enough, i don't think you'd lose to much by delaying adding minoxidil, although again that's just an opinion.

I'm pretty sure people do use spironolactone and minoxidil, but I'm not sure if they use it together

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=63100

This might help

Also, if it's relevant - my grandfather on my moms side has VERY similar hair/hairline to me.. And at 85 he still has hair.. although its thin, his whole head is covered. Not sure if that means anything though.

From what i remember you can get hairloss from your dads side of the family as well, but your maternal grandfather is often a good indicator of where your headed.