Preventing Hair Loss When Genetically Predisposed

[JDC93]

Hi all,

I'm 23 years old, and unfortunately, it is highly probable that I will be affected by male pattern baldness before middle age due to the presence of it in my father's side of the family. The majority of males in my father's side of the family, including my father, have had to contend with male pattern baldness to varying degrees, beginning in their early/mid-20s. Thankfully, all of the males on my mother's side of the family have retained their early/mid-20s hairlines well into old age.

My current hairline could be classified as either a Norwood 1.5 or 2, and my hairline shows no discernable recession within the past five and a half years. I have a photo of myself with relatively short hair at my high school graduation, and nothing appears to have changed. I suspect that my current hairline has receded very little (if at all) since puberty.

Despite not suffering any significant recession thus far, I am fully aware and accepting of the fact that, for me, it is likely only a matter of time. With that being said, what are the most effective preventative measures that can be taken? I'm not doing anything at the moment, but I'd like to start. I've heard of minoxidil shampoo being recommended, but is there anything more that could be used to stave off early hair loss? I'm not against going on Finasteride, as the potential side effects do not worry me in the slightest. I am doubtful that I could get a physician to prescribe it to me, however.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Goofinground]

Hi

Its a lot easier to maintain than win back - so the quicker you start treatments, the higher rates of success

Let me give you an advise, you say you are a norwood 1,5 or 2 , but say that you are not really affected by male pattern baldness - thats simply not true, if you are a Norwood 1,5 or 2, you are balding, if you like it or not - in my experience, the "first" norwoods takes the longest to loose.

Ive been in the same shoes, and i thought that i just had high temples etc. by nature - there is no such thing, ive learned it the hard way when i started treatments when the balding kicked in to high gear - which may have been to late

Regards of possible treatment, i would definitely get on finasteride before minoxidil - finasteride is easier, more effective in the long run and cheaper, and i honestly cant see how a minoxidil shampoo would work, seems like a scam.

Last option is: that you are simply overthinking and your hair is completely fine, it happens from time to time people post stories about how they are soon to be bald and they need urgent help - when they post pictures, they have zero signs of balding.

Edit: If you go to a dermatologist, they will likely have like a microscope which can see miniaturized hairs - and therefore can diagnose you with male pattern baldness (In my country at least, doctors cant refuse to prescribe medication for treatment of a condition you are diagnosed with, unless they have a very good reason (complications with your medical journal etc.)

 

[JDC93]

Hi

Let me give you an advise, you say you are a norwood 1,5 or 2 , but say that you are not really affected by male pattern baldness - thats simply not true, if you are a Norwood 1,5 or 2, you are balding, if you like it or not - in my experience, the "first" norwoods takes the longest to loose.

I appreciate the reply, but that's actually not what I said at all. I simply stated that I have had no visible recession in the past five years, but I readily acknowledged that it would likely occur in the future.

Is it necessary to visit a dermatologist, or can a general practitioner prescribe finasteride?

Thank you.

 

[Goofinground]

depends on where you from i suppose, but generally speaking they both can prescribe it i think, without knowing for sure

 

[abcdefg]

Yeah the biggest thing with finasteride is honestly just getting it. Having to go to the doctor, and continually going back for more of it. If propecia was more accessible like OTC it would be way more common, and easier to use. That is why minoxidil is so much more popular.
The biggest win from the brotzu lotion if it ever worked would just be any guy can buy it and use it. No doctors or hoops just your in control of it versus a doctor

 

[Samson123]

Get your DHT level checked first. If it is in the mid to high range you will know that you have a good chance of slowing it down with finasteride. If your dht levels are low, that's a different story and finasteride may accelerate loss. It seems that you have a chance of keeping your hair for a long time based on your family history but obviously male pattern baldness is a crapshoot. There are variations of male pattern baldness that you should be aware of, the worst being diffuse thinning without recession because it is stealthy and you can lose 50% or so of your hair before you even notice, so you're alrrady way behind when or if you start treatment. It is hard to detect and I would recommend being vigilant about checking density. I've have no experience with the various hair density measurements that derms make but maybe you could try that. It would give you a baseline measurement. If you knew you were going to lose your hair based on family history then I would recommend getting on a low dose of finasteride, .25 mg every three days. Some people have tried the preventative route with finasteride, at the full dose that is, only to jumpstart their male pattern baldness. It can happen for sure and that's why I strongly recommend going with a smaller dose and never do the full 1 mg. .5 mg is the maximum you should do because there is very little dht inhibition above that. finasteride in some people can accelerate hairloss because the body can in response to low dht levels just increase hair follicle dht sensitivity. That can backfire in some people.