Shedding before treatments

[under20]

Hi
Im 19 and all of sudden two months ago started shedding like crazy for some reason and not due to treatments because im not on any just yet. One day I washed my hair in the sink and counted how many hairs i shed and it came out to 204. Im wondering if I start on propecia will it stop my shedding intially, until I start going thru the shedding phase it brings along with it.

thanks

 

[The Gardener]

Propecia won't help your current shed subside.

That notwithstanding, you first need to make sure that your shed is caused by male pattern baldness before even considering Propecia. Where are your hairs shedding from? The entire scalp, the top, the front? How does your hairline look now? Do you have a full hairline, or is there recession in the temples, or in the center back (the typical 'bald spot' area)?

All people, even those who are NOT susceptible to male pattern baldness can go through sheds from time to time in their life, and it might not have anything to do with baldness. Sometimes traumatic events or stress or even environmental factors can sometimes cause people's hair to go through a shed. Such sheds regrow.

Now, if you DO have signs of hairline recession, or the makings of a bald spot, or if you had a normal hairline and your shed is revealing fresh patches of visible scalp then get worried. If that is the case, then I would get on Nizoral shampoo immediately, pick it up at the grocery store and use it 3-4 times a week. Also, READ THIS FORUM for a few days, both this section and the 'Hairloss Treatments' section and get a feel for what is out there. I am sure you will come across a story or symptom or treatment regime that will seem to be the right solution for what you are facing. You are in the right place, read up a bit and get a feel for what is out there.

 

[under20]

thanx Gardener. Yah I went to see a hair specialist and he told me it looked like early male pattern baldness because my family does have a history of hairloss. Ive been on nizoral for the last 2 months as well. So if my current shed is caused by DHT wouldnt propecia slow it down at least?

 

[The Gardener]

No, It won't. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Propecia (i.e. finasteride) takes at least 3 or 4 months to work its way through the hormonal system to inhibit enough DHT to even start affecting follicles in a positive fashion. And even at this point, the typical follicle response is, initially, to go through another shed. Propecia takes time.

You might want to just bite the bullet and ride this shed out, while getting on Propecia. With ANY hair loss treatment, you really have to think long term, this sh*t takes time to soak in and start pumping out thick hairs.

Now, you did not mention the current condition of your hairline? Are you really receeding quickly? Or, is your current thinning exposing visible scalp on your head? If you have an intact hairline, and fairly good coverage then I would think that Propecia might have good promise for you.

 

[drinkrum]

I think you're misleading our young chap, Gardener.

You want to take finasteride (Propecia) as soon as possible. Any delays and you're risking more hairs falling victim to the dreaded DHT. So pop the pill everyday. That first dose you take will hit your bloodstream in a few hours and inhibit DHT creation immediately. It will have an immediate effect on your hairs but it won't really be noticeable until later.

D.

 

[under20]

thaxnx again Gardener and drinkrum, your alot of help. Yah i guess im gonna start on propecia, im actually holding it in my hand right now. Is there a best time to take it or anything and I heard it affects beard growth (like getting patches in the beard and slow beard growth cause DHT is what causes beard growth), did you experience this? the reason im asking is cause i keep facial hair thanx

 

[drinkrum]

It might slow down facial hair growth but really it all depends on the person. Just try it and you'll see in a matter of days/weeks.

And it doesn't really matter what time you take it as long as you take ~1 mg/day -- some people swear by taking it in the morning, but the half-life of finasteride is such that it really won't make a difference. I've been on it for 4-years, since I was 18, and haven't noticed differences from taking it at varying times vs. taking it at one standard time.

Sorry if I stole your reply Gard.

D.

 

[The Gardener]

Hell no, Drinkrum, no need to apologize... nice contribution!

Well, I personally do not use Propecia. I have a different hairloss pattern than yours and thus a different regimen to counter it. However, I am sure there are many many Propecia users here who would be able to answer your question.

The one thing I do have to say to you is be patient. Be patient, and persistent, and stick religiously to your regimen. It gets a little worse before it gets better... but if you are a responder, it WILL get better... and if it gets worse first, then often times it is a good sign that you will be a responder as successful penetration of the chemical often times causes the shed. So, sometimes a bad initial reaction is a sign that long term results will be great. Keep us posted, and if your hairline degrades or you start seeing scalp then get back to us here ASAP.

 

[under20]

So youve been on it since you were 18 drinkrum? How have your results been? How bad was your hairloss at 18? Any side effects? just asking because i kind of seem to be in the same boat. Did u yourself notice a change in your beard? Thanks I really really appreciate this. And I will do Gardener. When should I get worried if my hairline gets worse? After 6 months or wut?

 

[drinkrum]

My results are fine. I started rapidly losing my hair at 18; it really hasn't changed much since then, which is pretty amazing. But I don't know how long this will last before my genes catch up with me.

I do feel as if I'm less potent in the sack from the finasteride and erections aren't as solid as before (not to mention it's hard to have sex 4 times/day like I did before). But it's a price to pay. Most people (98%) don't have side effects and even if you do, if you quit taking the drug, they should subside.

I never really had fast growing facial hair and even now I can't grow a beard although in the last 4 years, my facial hair has increased slightly (which is a good thing for a baby-face like me).

D.

 

[The Gardener]

It's late. Where the hell you guys posting from? Must either be Western US, or UK?

 

[drinkrum]

EST. I'm a night-owl.

D.

 

[under20]

Im in vancouver Canada. Im gonna start on Propecia right now. Will keep you guys posted and will eventually post pics. thanks you guys have answered a lot of question for me, im greatful.

 

[The Gardener]

Ah, I love Vancouver. Beautiful city, good times....

Well pop your pill and commence destruction of hair-killing DHT. Hair grows slowly, so again, be patient.

Keep us posted