Dreamer
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Hi HairLossTalk members!
I've come here to explain my situation and seek advice concerning my hair loss. I'm a 22-year-old college student and, though my hair is rather long and styled in such a way that it is not noticeable, I have noticed a receding hairline. I have been investigating hair loss for several months and after studying the Norwood chart, I've concluded that, while I'm certainly not a NW1, I'm also clearly not a NW2, so I'm in between these two stages. I'm NOT losing density in the crown region; my hair loss consists solely of frontal recessions at the temples (though only mild at this point).
After studying hair loss, treatments, and cutting edge research thoroughly for roughly 3 months, I've decided to pursue Propecia/finasteride, acknowledging the possibility of side-effects and the greater effectiveness of said medication on the crown region (though, as I understand, it also helps for the temporal regions, but in a more moderate way). Although I have yet to reach NW2, I would like to start medication because I want to take full advantage of the greater effectiveness of early treatments and because I am more than happy with my current hairline. With that background info out of the way, I'd like to ask a few questions:
1. I remain uncertain of what kind of doctor to visit. A dermatologist may be appropriate. An endocrinologist may also be appropriate due to the involvement of enzymes, etc. But perhaps a trichologist makes the most sense. Which of these types of doctors can prescribe Propecia/finasteride? I recently scheduled an appointment with an endocrinologist. Should I cancel this appointment in favor of another doctor type?
2. Is it likely that my doctor will refuse to prescribe Propecia/finasteride due to my age? Though the onset of hairloss varies significantly, is there an accepted age minimum for Propecia/finasteride?
3. This is a more particular question to which I couldn't find a clear answer on this forum's FAQs. I understand that shedding will occur in the months following starting Propecia/finasteride due the inflexibility of hair follicles to radically increase the size of hair shafts, causing the current hair to fall and eventually be replaced by a stronger shaft. Does this shedding occur all over the head or only in areas with miniaturizing hairs? In other words, do ordinary hairs NOT in the miniaturizing process also shed in vast quantities due to Propecia/finasteride?
4. I relax my hair chemically at a hair salon 3 or 4 times per year. Might this be accelerating my hair loss?
Thank you for your time time and consideration!
I've come here to explain my situation and seek advice concerning my hair loss. I'm a 22-year-old college student and, though my hair is rather long and styled in such a way that it is not noticeable, I have noticed a receding hairline. I have been investigating hair loss for several months and after studying the Norwood chart, I've concluded that, while I'm certainly not a NW1, I'm also clearly not a NW2, so I'm in between these two stages. I'm NOT losing density in the crown region; my hair loss consists solely of frontal recessions at the temples (though only mild at this point).
After studying hair loss, treatments, and cutting edge research thoroughly for roughly 3 months, I've decided to pursue Propecia/finasteride, acknowledging the possibility of side-effects and the greater effectiveness of said medication on the crown region (though, as I understand, it also helps for the temporal regions, but in a more moderate way). Although I have yet to reach NW2, I would like to start medication because I want to take full advantage of the greater effectiveness of early treatments and because I am more than happy with my current hairline. With that background info out of the way, I'd like to ask a few questions:
1. I remain uncertain of what kind of doctor to visit. A dermatologist may be appropriate. An endocrinologist may also be appropriate due to the involvement of enzymes, etc. But perhaps a trichologist makes the most sense. Which of these types of doctors can prescribe Propecia/finasteride? I recently scheduled an appointment with an endocrinologist. Should I cancel this appointment in favor of another doctor type?
2. Is it likely that my doctor will refuse to prescribe Propecia/finasteride due to my age? Though the onset of hairloss varies significantly, is there an accepted age minimum for Propecia/finasteride?
3. This is a more particular question to which I couldn't find a clear answer on this forum's FAQs. I understand that shedding will occur in the months following starting Propecia/finasteride due the inflexibility of hair follicles to radically increase the size of hair shafts, causing the current hair to fall and eventually be replaced by a stronger shaft. Does this shedding occur all over the head or only in areas with miniaturizing hairs? In other words, do ordinary hairs NOT in the miniaturizing process also shed in vast quantities due to Propecia/finasteride?
4. I relax my hair chemically at a hair salon 3 or 4 times per year. Might this be accelerating my hair loss?
Thank you for your time time and consideration!
