Should I try using minoxidil before finasteride? Or both? PICS

[xfade]

I'm 27 and noticed that my hairline has been thinning for the past year or so. At first, I thought it was because I was badly stressed at my new job, but it hasn't gotten much better. Never thought this would happen to me since my dad has a full head of hair.
Here's some pics:


It doesn't look so bad in person as you can see in the last pic, but I definitely want to save my hair ASAP. Also what is my Norwood#? (not sure how that works).

So I went I saw my doctor today, did blood tests which came out normal. He gave me minoxidil(he didn't even mention finasteride) which I'm about to start taking. I do have a bottle of finasteride that I got from Mexico awhile back but just never used it, but now I'm very tempted to. Should I begin with minoxidil and see if it helps or should I start finasteride right away? Is my hair loss severe enough to even warrant finasteride?

 

[centurie]

I suggest using finasteride as well, minoxidil may cause regrowth but it does not stop balding at its root and soon enough you will end up worse of when you started. However if you use both in conjunction finasteride will maintain your current hair and you will have much longer lasting results. Goodluck!

 

[Rudiger]

Your hair looks quite dry in the first few, try using a better shampoo or maybe Argan Oil.

As for hair regrowth I'm figuring it out myself, minoxidil did it for me at first but 4 years on it's hard to know if it's making any difference.

 

[xfade]

Your hair looks quite dry in the first few, try using a better shampoo or maybe Argan Oil.

As for hair regrowth I'm figuring it out myself, minoxidil did it for me at first but 4 years on it's hard to know if it's making any difference.

I had taken a shower when I took those first few pics which makes my hair frizzy... so it made it look worse. I use Head & Shoulders w/ built in conditioner shampoo, not sure if that's any good?

Did the minoxidil stop your hair loss at least?

 

[Rudiger]

I'm not 100% sure but I think for a short period (6 months or so) I actually think I had some growth, I felt pretty positive and overly confident that I stopped doing the routine as often, and made the dreaded mistake of actually stopping for a few months.

When I picked it up again it stopped hair loss again, but it gets to a point when minoxidil doesn't do anything about the DHT. I don't know the science of it but probably plenty of people on here could tell you.

If you're hesitant about finasteride as I am, at least start on minoxidil immediately, there's practically no lasting side effects and few that I've heard of (eg irritated scalp, but nothing major) so I see it as practically risk-free. Speak to your doctor for re-assurance.

I sure wish I could turn back time to when I had some actual growth because I definitely would have kept on that, and then mixed in some further routines too.

 

[jbrog1987]

Looks like a NW3a hairline.

 

[xfade]

Looks like a NW3a hairline.

Is that good or bad? Am I too late to gain my hair back?

 

[Rudiger]

I had taken a shower when I took those first few pics which makes my hair frizzy... so it made it look worse. I use Head & Shoulders w/ built in conditioner shampoo, not sure if that's any good?

My gut tells me that this is one of the worst actually.

 

[jbrog1987]

Is that good or bad? Am I too late to gain my hair back?

I'd say NW3 is moderate hairloss approaching severe. It's the last stage i'd expect anyone to have a chance to regain a significant amount of hair. Seems you still have a good amount of minaturized hair around your temples so you could potential regrow a lot if you're a responder. Don't expect to go from a NW3 to NW1 though.

 

[xfade]

My gut tells me that this is one of the worst actually.

I kinda agree. Thanks for mentioning Argan oil, I ordered some.

I went ahead and started finasteride as well. Hopefully we'll see a success thread in the coming months.

 

[Rudiger]

Also starting it and we're all hopeful, but I really think most people can realistically hope to just keep what they have to be honest, maybe a little bit more thickness (if thinning is an issue that is) but success as in something like increasing around the temples in months? Not to be a downer or anything but you'll most likely be let down if you have high expectations of finasteride working magic, some guys are on it for years.

Good luck.

 

[xfade]

Also starting it and we're all hopeful, but I really think most people can realistically hope to just keep what they have to be honest, maybe a little bit more thickness (if thinning is an issue that is) but success as in something like increasing around the temples in months? Not to be a downer or anything but you'll most likely be let down if you have high expectations of finasteride working magic, some guys are on it for years.

Good luck.

Well I have to disagree because I'm starting to see some results. Couple months in and I'm already seeing regrowth. I won't take pics yet since they're still baby hairs but looks like I caught it at a good time. I also added Nizoral to the mix (big 3).