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[young gun]

Hi everyone i am currently 18 years old and for the past 6 months i have been having dramatic hair changes.. first my hair has gotten darker and my hair has begun to thin a bunch first on the top of my head then everywhere else... in november i went to the local doctor and asked him about it because my head was getting inflamed and itchy , and i told him about my hair getting thinner and he just said i was fine and gave me a cortosteriod.. so that did not work so about 3 weeks ago i decided to go to the dermatologist and he said i more than likely have male pattern baldness and i should start using rogaine.. so my question is should i go and see another dermatologist about this since i am only 18 and my dad is currently 46 and has all of his hair and isnt thinning or anything..? and if i should use something to try and stop my hair from thinning what should i use? thank u for your time

 

[Guest]

Your follicles are being attacked by dihyrotestosterone (DHT) (this assumption is correct for 96% of males, but there are other non-male pattern baldness causes for hair loss)

Finasteride will inhibit the formation of DHT and slow or stop this 'decay'

Rogaine (minoxidil) will just grow some extra hair to offset this decay.

The decay will continue when using Rogaine as the underlying causes will have not been addressed.

The recommended first line of defense would be:

Finasteride 1mg (propecia) one a day
Rogaine 5% twice a day
Nizoral 2% (a ketoconazole shampoo) 2 or 3 times a week.

It is not a good idea to start finasteride if you are below 18 as your bodies hormonal developement may not be complete.

Go talk to your doctor about finasteride (propecia)