new here, question about rogaine foam

[yoohoodrinker]

Hi, so I'm new to the hairloss treatment game. I first started losing probably when I was about 17, but it did not become noticeable until I was 22 (I'm 23 now). For the longest time it just seemed like I had a widows peak and I thought nothing of it, but in the last year it seems I've progressed more from NW2 to NW3, so I finally decided to start doing something. I've been using 1% Nizoral shampoo 2-3 times per week, and I have been using 5% Rogaine foam twice a day for nearly 4 weeks. Outside of 2 days that i visited my dad and maybe 2 or 3 days where I only applied the foam once in a day, I have been sticking to this schedule. My question lies in the effects it is supposed to have. In reading about these products on here before I started, many people described the side effects : Nizoral will give headaches, dry skin; Rogaine will cause headaches, flaking, fast heartbeat, and after 2-3 weeks a shed will start. I have experienced none of this. No flaking, no pain, no sensitivity, maybe 1 headache (but I'm skeptical it was caused by any of the products). Most of all, I have not experienced any shedding whatsoever. I frequently where ball caps, and in fact since I started I have noticed no shedding really at all in my new hat I got for Christmas. When I feel the back of my head, it feels as though the hairs that were already there are as strong as they were (it was not yet a slick spot by any means, although it was somewhat see-through) and I can feel some fuzzy short hairs as well. The rest of my hair feels at least as thick as it was before. And before you ask, yes I make sure to rub the Nizoral in thoroughly and I leave it in for about 5 minutes each time, and yes I make sure to the best of my ability that the foam is not just sitting on my hair. Are these products just destined not to work for me, or am I just lucky? Or should I just wait longer? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bukowski]

You're not supposed to get any of the sideeffects. There's just the possibility that you may experience them. The same goes with shedding. Some experience a big shed, some a small one, others don't shed at all. It depends on the person. Four weeks is much to early to say anything about the effectiveness that the foam will have for you. Stick with your daily routine of 2 applications per day for atleast half a year before you judge the products you use. It takes time for hair to grow or to go thicker, have some patience.

 

[hairhoper]

I've had none of the side-effects you've mentioned from minoxidil/nizoral either (except flaking as I'm using Liquid Regaine whereas you're using Foam), yet I'm growing hair. Side-effects are not a measure of efficacy & you shouldn't expect any side-effects on those 2 products.

 

[yoohoodrinker]

Thanks for the help, I wasn't sure because it seemed like so many people on here were at least experiencing bad sheds if nothing else. I guess its disproportional because people are more likely to post a complaint then a message that says "hey everything's fine here".