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So I noticed my temple recession pretty well 2 years ago (I am 22). Initially, I did what I’m sure most do and freaked out. I would be constantly looking at my hair and seeing if it had progressed. I ultimately knew that there were essentially 2 options for fighting this (Propecia & Rogaine + nizoral, of course). Although I was worried about it, I knew that it was still minimal and that I had thick hair that I have had trouble styling forever. I would say I was a Norwood 1.5/2, but there will be others who will say Norwood 1 or “mature,” you can call it what you will.
[prior to starting treatment]
The reason for my obsession, however, was not necessarily the state of my hair at that time, but rather the idea of its progression going into the future (as I’m sure many of us young guys can agree upon). There is a history of baldness in my family; mom’s dad was a NW3 into his 40’s and went south from there, his son aka my uncle lost his hair early on. But prior to noticing my recession, I had gone through an emotional breakup and attributed the loss to that.
[“thinning”... can barely hold my hair back bc of its thickness]
I took no action all through the summer but continued to monitor. Fast forward to a few months into first semester and I think that I notice my left temple thinning (you can decide for yourself, pic attached). Instead of making a rationale decision, I jumped on finasteride hoping that it would halt the loss and maintain what I had for many years to come. I read about finasteride sheds and genuinely felt mentally prepared for it and thought it would hardly impact me due to my extremely thick hair.
Well I was on finasteride for 12 months and had to drop it 5 months ago. Now please, before saying “2 years until it reaches its peak,” just hear me out and why I don’t think that finasteride is for me and, frankly, why I regret taking it.
[noticing diffuse thinning pattern 2 weeks in, no change to hairline yet]
2 weeks into finasteride I noticed my hair was thinner, which is way too soon for anything to happen in my opinion. I also had an abnormally high sex drive for me. My back also broke out with acne, which has never been a problem for me in the past. I am not suggesting that I had reflex hyperandrogenicity, these were just my symptoms (along with watery semen and, ironically, no morning wood, which had both seemed like more “normal” reactions from what I’ve read).
I continued on with finasteride and noticed month after month of more loss and gradual thinning. My hair also just felt more dead and weak compared to baseline, which I know is a subjective claim, so you will have to choose whether you believe me or not. I hoped forever that this “shed” would subside, bringing me back to baseline and reserving what I had for many years. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
These are recent pics that I feel as though demonstrate the hit my hairline has taken.
My left temple took the biggest hit (gradual, diffuse thinning second). 12 months of continuous, accelerated hair loss. Now, I can say with certainty that this rate of loss was abnormal for me and not my balding gene’s normal progression. So for ME, as well as others I have read about, finasteride accelerated hair loss.
But please do not mistake my post as a means to bash finasteride or advise other not to take it. This is my experience only and am fully aware of the benefits this drug has had for other people.
So now I am at a crossroads. Do I try rogaine, which seems to involve even more “shedding.” Try dutasteride, which involves (potentially) serious sexual sides and, yet again, “shedding.” I talked to a derm and he said stay on finasteride and use rogaine all over the scalp. I have not taken action and am trying to make a rationale decision due to rushing into one last time.
Currently, I am a distinct NW2 with now diffuse thinning (my hair appear thick, but you will again have to trust me that the shaft of the hairs are weak, and my scalp is very easy to see through the hairs relative to before finasteride).
I also know that there will be people who say I’m overreacting and my hair isn’t bad and on and on. Please try and be empathetic towards my situation and provide constructive advice. I am clearly heading towards higher on the Norwood scale and this newly developed thinning has not shown any signs of letting up.
I am seeking advice in hopes of avoiding making a poor decision.
[prior to starting treatment]
The reason for my obsession, however, was not necessarily the state of my hair at that time, but rather the idea of its progression going into the future (as I’m sure many of us young guys can agree upon). There is a history of baldness in my family; mom’s dad was a NW3 into his 40’s and went south from there, his son aka my uncle lost his hair early on. But prior to noticing my recession, I had gone through an emotional breakup and attributed the loss to that.
[“thinning”... can barely hold my hair back bc of its thickness]I took no action all through the summer but continued to monitor. Fast forward to a few months into first semester and I think that I notice my left temple thinning (you can decide for yourself, pic attached). Instead of making a rationale decision, I jumped on finasteride hoping that it would halt the loss and maintain what I had for many years to come. I read about finasteride sheds and genuinely felt mentally prepared for it and thought it would hardly impact me due to my extremely thick hair.
Well I was on finasteride for 12 months and had to drop it 5 months ago. Now please, before saying “2 years until it reaches its peak,” just hear me out and why I don’t think that finasteride is for me and, frankly, why I regret taking it.
[noticing diffuse thinning pattern 2 weeks in, no change to hairline yet]2 weeks into finasteride I noticed my hair was thinner, which is way too soon for anything to happen in my opinion. I also had an abnormally high sex drive for me. My back also broke out with acne, which has never been a problem for me in the past. I am not suggesting that I had reflex hyperandrogenicity, these were just my symptoms (along with watery semen and, ironically, no morning wood, which had both seemed like more “normal” reactions from what I’ve read).
I continued on with finasteride and noticed month after month of more loss and gradual thinning. My hair also just felt more dead and weak compared to baseline, which I know is a subjective claim, so you will have to choose whether you believe me or not. I hoped forever that this “shed” would subside, bringing me back to baseline and reserving what I had for many years. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
These are recent pics that I feel as though demonstrate the hit my hairline has taken.
My left temple took the biggest hit (gradual, diffuse thinning second). 12 months of continuous, accelerated hair loss. Now, I can say with certainty that this rate of loss was abnormal for me and not my balding gene’s normal progression. So for ME, as well as others I have read about, finasteride accelerated hair loss.
But please do not mistake my post as a means to bash finasteride or advise other not to take it. This is my experience only and am fully aware of the benefits this drug has had for other people.
So now I am at a crossroads. Do I try rogaine, which seems to involve even more “shedding.” Try dutasteride, which involves (potentially) serious sexual sides and, yet again, “shedding.” I talked to a derm and he said stay on finasteride and use rogaine all over the scalp. I have not taken action and am trying to make a rationale decision due to rushing into one last time.
Currently, I am a distinct NW2 with now diffuse thinning (my hair appear thick, but you will again have to trust me that the shaft of the hairs are weak, and my scalp is very easy to see through the hairs relative to before finasteride).
I also know that there will be people who say I’m overreacting and my hair isn’t bad and on and on. Please try and be empathetic towards my situation and provide constructive advice. I am clearly heading towards higher on the Norwood scale and this newly developed thinning has not shown any signs of letting up.
I am seeking advice in hopes of avoiding making a poor decision.
