G'day,
I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. I've been viewing these posts now for about a year, and haven't really contributed much. So felt it was time I shared something.
The earliest I remember being teased about going bald was when I was 12. I've always had fine hair, and noticed it was thinning in my late teens (although a 12 year old going bald??? I doubt it.). When I was roughly 24 I toyed with standard rogaine, but it wasn't until about 2.5 years ago I really started to panick (age 26). A lot of hair would come out in my hands as I ran my hands through my hair, or in my hairbrush. And those hairs looked thin and finer in colour. My balding had settled in and I was devastated!!
I tried Clive's Clinics which is available in Australia and New Zealand, but that turned out to be a massive money suck with no rewards. I also tried the laser treatment (that some sports stars are advertising) for about three months, but that too was phenomenally expensive. Then I bought a laser comb, but haven't really used it! So a lot of money down the tube. I was probably a Norwood 2 - 2.5 at my worst; bald spot on crown, thinning hair (or wispyness!) and receding hairline. I also tried other products such as American Crew copper peptides and some bogus pills whose name I can't remember!
About a year ago, I started using Dr Lee's Xandrox 5% twice a day, Xandrox 12.5% once a day, and finasteride. Now also washing my hair with Nizoral 1% twice per week, and every other day with Redken densify shampoo. I also use American Crew hair thickening lotion.
About 6 months ago I caught up with my mates who were living overseas. They commented on how they thought I'd be bald by now, how my hair looked thick, they thought they used to hassle me about going bald, etc, etc. And over the last few months I've noticed myself that my hair is thicker, the bald spot at the crown is getting smaller, and my hairline and temples seem to be strengthening. Still looks kind of sh*t when wet and in direct sunlight, but overall, I'm pretty happy. I'm about a Norwood 1 - 1.5 now.
So anyway, I said I'd keep it brief and I lied. But yep, I think the big three combo is pretty much on the money. I'm still trying to fill in the hole at the back, and hopefully my temples will thicken up. But I don't notice any hair coming out in my hands now, or in the shower or my hairbrush. And, touch wood, I haven't had a massive shed yet (that I can tell anyway). Sometimes I get down and think it looks bad, admittedly, but if I was to be objective, my regime has so far proved quite successful.
I may look to experiment with something else, like supplementing with MiN New York shamapoos and product (which supposedly have DHT inhibitors???), or else replacing one of the Xandrox applications with Dr Lee's new 12.5% Minoxidil product - will have to do some more research there.
Finally, some advice, if I may??? Cleaner, shorter hairstyles, cut by a decent stylist, definately look better. Buzz cuts too are successful - I tried one and was pleasantly surprised. Also, hang in there, it's all about confidence and personality, not about a full head of hair (that piece of advice was more for me...!).
Cheers.
I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. I've been viewing these posts now for about a year, and haven't really contributed much. So felt it was time I shared something.
The earliest I remember being teased about going bald was when I was 12. I've always had fine hair, and noticed it was thinning in my late teens (although a 12 year old going bald??? I doubt it.). When I was roughly 24 I toyed with standard rogaine, but it wasn't until about 2.5 years ago I really started to panick (age 26). A lot of hair would come out in my hands as I ran my hands through my hair, or in my hairbrush. And those hairs looked thin and finer in colour. My balding had settled in and I was devastated!!
I tried Clive's Clinics which is available in Australia and New Zealand, but that turned out to be a massive money suck with no rewards. I also tried the laser treatment (that some sports stars are advertising) for about three months, but that too was phenomenally expensive. Then I bought a laser comb, but haven't really used it! So a lot of money down the tube. I was probably a Norwood 2 - 2.5 at my worst; bald spot on crown, thinning hair (or wispyness!) and receding hairline. I also tried other products such as American Crew copper peptides and some bogus pills whose name I can't remember!
About a year ago, I started using Dr Lee's Xandrox 5% twice a day, Xandrox 12.5% once a day, and finasteride. Now also washing my hair with Nizoral 1% twice per week, and every other day with Redken densify shampoo. I also use American Crew hair thickening lotion.
About 6 months ago I caught up with my mates who were living overseas. They commented on how they thought I'd be bald by now, how my hair looked thick, they thought they used to hassle me about going bald, etc, etc. And over the last few months I've noticed myself that my hair is thicker, the bald spot at the crown is getting smaller, and my hairline and temples seem to be strengthening. Still looks kind of sh*t when wet and in direct sunlight, but overall, I'm pretty happy. I'm about a Norwood 1 - 1.5 now.
So anyway, I said I'd keep it brief and I lied. But yep, I think the big three combo is pretty much on the money. I'm still trying to fill in the hole at the back, and hopefully my temples will thicken up. But I don't notice any hair coming out in my hands now, or in the shower or my hairbrush. And, touch wood, I haven't had a massive shed yet (that I can tell anyway). Sometimes I get down and think it looks bad, admittedly, but if I was to be objective, my regime has so far proved quite successful.
I may look to experiment with something else, like supplementing with MiN New York shamapoos and product (which supposedly have DHT inhibitors???), or else replacing one of the Xandrox applications with Dr Lee's new 12.5% Minoxidil product - will have to do some more research there.
Finally, some advice, if I may??? Cleaner, shorter hairstyles, cut by a decent stylist, definately look better. Buzz cuts too are successful - I tried one and was pleasantly surprised. Also, hang in there, it's all about confidence and personality, not about a full head of hair (that piece of advice was more for me...!).
Cheers.
