New here! Advice wanted!

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Hey everyone!

I'm 21 and have just noticed that my right temple is starting to lose hair. It's nothing too dramatic, but compared to my left temple, there is definitely a difference. To help illustrate, my left temple makes a perfect 90 degree corner with my front hairline, and my right temple is somewhat recessed an inch. The rest of my hair is as thick as can be...

I was hesitant to accept the fact that I may be losing hair because I'm only 21, but balding is not uncommon in my family. At 21, one of my older brothers already had a very visible receding hairline. While my hair is nothing close to the "M" shape that he had, I want to start fighting this as soon as possible...

A few days ago I picked up some 5% Rogaine on impulse and when I got home to read the box, I was disappointed that it explicity says that it MAY NOT WORK ON THE TEMPORAL AREA. WTF?! However, I still am using it day and night on my front hairline and temples only. I apply it with q-tips and hardly use the recommended amount. My problem areas are completely saturated with only 2 q-tip applications.

I almost got sucked up into PRO-CERIN, but luckily I found this board before I ordered any! I was considering Propecia/Proscar, but I would rather stick to topicals before I mess with the big guns. I haven't been on any prescription drugs before and I don't really want to start. Keep in mind that my condition is very mild and if you saw my hair, you would probably tell me that I'm delusional.

I'll be ordering some Tricomin shampoo and conditioner soon, so hopefully Tricomin + Minoxidil will help me grow back my right temporal hair. It's so weird to be dealing with this, but I guess that it's never too early to start treatment, right?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[-cj-]

They only tested it on the vertex in FDA trials so this is all they can claim. People do have success with it on the hairline.

As for the rest, I'm 21 with an "M" shape, there are plenty of others here as well. male pattern baldness is effects a lot of people, you're definitely not alone and not weird for wanting to do something about it.

 

[Felk]

I'd recommend spironolactone as well.

 

[Back In Time]

I'm on generic Proscar and Rogaine 5%, and I've had some good temple regrowth so far (4 1/2 months). Definitely way better than I was, even just this far in. I'm sure it's either the combo of Rogaine/Proscar (helping the Rogaine work better) or just the Proscar, as I didn't have very good results on Rogaine alone (even in the crown area). Obviously bear in mind my "results may not be typical".

If your hairloss were more advanced I would say give the Propecia/Proscar a shot, but as you said it isn't bad at all yet, I would give the Rogaine some time and/or stick with other topicals. Many others here have mentioned spironolactone works better at the hairline, I haven't used it at all but I've heard good things. It's probably something I would have tried if I didn't get results from what I'm using. The best news for you is you starting early, so you should have a better shot at keeping what you have then if you waited.

 

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Thanks for the replies guys!

I was about to schedule an appointment with my Dr. to get a prescription for finasteride, but I decided against it. Since I just started treatment this week, I'll be sticking to Minoxidil and Tricomin for awhile to see if they work. I'll look into spironolactone if those two don't work. finasteride can always be the backup plan...

This past week has been very humbling and I've been checking out the hairlines of other guys at school. It seems like the majority of guys have a bit of recession, so that made me feel better. And my brother even told me that he wishes he had my hair. But I still don't appreciate what's happening, no matter how little hair I'm losing. I'm about to graduate from college and this is definitely not what I had in mind for a graduation present.

Anyway, I'll update periodically to let you all know how my treatment is going. All I know is, I will not lose my hair at this age! :lol: