Opinions On My Hair Loss (pictures Included), What Should I Start Using? Is It Really Hair Loss?

[Scottie957]

Hello all, sorry for this long post. But I wanted to be as detailed as possible. I basically want your opinions on my balding, what should I start using, or if this is even considered hairloss/balding?

The main facts:

• I am turning 27 very soon.
• male pattern baldness does run in my family, mostly on my dad's side.
• Just started using Nizoral %1. This is the only real thing I consider in my regime.
• I am unsure if I should start using Rogaine and/or finasteride?

Some things I have noticed:

• I have been noticing hair shedding. I am not sure if this is natural or if it could just be paranoia. I can count anywhere from 10 to 16 hairs on each hand when I rub my hands through hair in the shower. There is probably more if I keep running my hands through my hair. I only shower once a night.
• The hair that I find that sheds come in all different shapes (long, short, thin, thick, bulb-ends, etc.).
• I have noticed patchy hair loss on my body too, mostly on my calves and butt
• My crown/swirl looks to be thinning
• My hairline corners may have gone up
• I've noticed a more visible scalp in certain lighting.
• I'd say my hair loss would be categorized as diffusing.

Some things that I think may be making look worse than what it is:

• I do think I am a paranoid which makes the loss look worse for me. I do have some kind of OCD and/or that paranoid disorder (I forgot the abbreviation for this one, but I read it on here recently).
  
• I think it may be stress related. I just came back from a beach vacation, and I feel my hair as well as body hair is thicker and fuller. My body hair, definitely is.
• For about three years, I started only washing my hair with water only. Shampoos were drying my scalp and causing itchiness. I'd only use shampoo once a week. This does make my hair look more greasy and clumpy, which can make my scalp more visible. I just started using Nirzoral once a week (for now).

Workout Vitamins/Supplements I take mostly for recovery, energy, and sleep promotion, that could be contributing hair growth or hair loss:

• I started weightlifting for almost two years now. I stay away from Creatine, but have taken Whey Protein. I recently stopped and decided to take a Vegan Protein instead. I have done some diets where I eat lot of protein but might go low on carbs and fats.
• Saw Palmetto 320 mg, with Beta-Sitosterol 90mg
• Omega 3 Fish Oil 2200mg Fish oil (1400mg EPA, 480 DHA)
• Magnesium 500mg
• Zinc Oxide 15mg, once every 2 days
• COQ10 200mg
• Choline DL-Bitartrate 300mg
  
• Inositol 300mg
  
• Korean Ginseng Root Extract
• Vitamin D-3, 5000 IU, once every 2 days
• Vitamin K2, 2600 mcg
• Vitamin C, 1000 mg

Well enough of the boring info. I am going to post a bunch of pictures (from older photos, and current photos styled greasy, dry, wet, etc.), and would like to get your opinions. The pictures will be in separate posts below. They are dated and have my age in parenthesis along with other descriptions..

 

[Scottie957]

These are a variety of photos from age 18 to 27.

 

[Scottie957]

These are all current and a couple of days after a haircut (other than the daylight beach photo), greasy hair, uncombed.

 

[Scottie957]

These are current photos of my hair, wet, combed

 

[Scottie957]

These are current photos of my hair, washed, dry, and combed

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Your hair looks ok to me. You don't seem to have had any serious loss from the age 18 till 27 so just keep with the regime you have now. Not sure about the Beta-Sitosterol (its not recommended for periods over 6 months)or the very high dose B3, 1000iu daily should be enough. While COQ10 200mg, Choline DL-Bitartrate 300mg, Inositol 300mg will not do anything if you already have a healthy diet so are unnecessary. I would instead add N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to help with liver & kidney function and your OCD.

 

[Saulus]

I think thats just a cowlick ... go to a derm..they have devices to check for miniturizations...however there is some miniturization going on at your hairline i think

 

[davesmith420]

Your hair looks great, but IMO you are starting to recede a little bit and possibly diffuse at your mid scalp (based on a couple of the pictures you posted). I would book an appointment with a derm for an opinion. If you are starting to lose I would only get on finasteride, no need for minoxidil.

 

[Scottie957]

I think thats just a cowlick ... go to a derm..they have devices to check for miniturizations...however there is some miniturization going on at your hairline i think

Your hair looks great, but IMO you are starting to recede a little bit and possibly diffuse at your mid scalp (based on a couple of the pictures you posted). I would book an appointment with a derm for an opinion. If you are starting to lose I would only get on finasteride, no need for minoxidil.

Thanks guys. I have an appointment with a dermatologist, May 4th. However, this seems to be more of a general dermatology office. They don't seem to be specialized in hair at all, mostly skin judging from their website. Should I still give it a shot? There wasn't any hair specialist in my city, so I just chose this one because they got good reviews.... I'm afraid if I go in, they won't use any tools or anything, but just inspect my hair and suggest I use Rogaine and maybe give me a prescription for finasteride.

I did go online at IAHRS and found a specialist like two hundred miles away. You think it would be worth to go there instead? I like the fact that this doctor will likely have tools for measurements and all of that, so I know he will know the signs. The only thing that I am worried about is that his website mostly talks about hair transplants, so I think he really just wants to see hair transplant candidates. I don't think he would want to see patients just to put them on finasteride or Rogaine.

Lastly, any need for blood-work or hormone level checks? I have to be honest, I don't have good health insurance at all and haven't been to the doctor in a few years, and I can't remember the last time I got checked out. I am still young and have a pretty good diet, so I am not sure if this is necessary.

Your hair looks ok to me. You don't seem to have had any serious loss from the age 18 till 27 so just keep with the regime you have now. Not sure about the Beta-Sitosterol (its not recommended for periods over 6 months)or the very high dose B3, 1000iu daily should be enough. While COQ10 200mg, Choline DL-Bitartrate 300mg, Inositol 300mg will not do anything if you already have a healthy diet so are unnecessary. I would instead add N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to help with liver & kidney function and your OCD.

I just started using the Saw Pal with Beta-Sitosterol. I'm on my first bottle, and only been on it for maybe two weeks. I didn't know about the 6 months, so thanks for letting me know. The D3 is a high dosage, but I only take it once every two days. But I am about to get off it because I will be outside a lot more with the warm weather. The rest are more of an insurance policy just in case the workouts/diets keep depleted of some stuff. But I think you are right... I never felt a difference with these, and might just ditch them. It seems like a waste of time and money for now. Thanks for the NAC, suggestion. I will look into that for sure.