Hi guys, first post on the forum... although I have been reading quite religiously for the last couple of weeks since I joined, and let me tell you I am quite impressed with the support and knowledge floating around here.
Anyways, I probably should have posted a "my story" on the forum, however I did post a short novel in my bio when I first started for anyone interested... I know it can sometimes help, because all of us in here are in here together... and I can speak for myself that it has helped during some times I've felt alone paired with a nasty case of "why me" syndrome.
Aside from all that, let me begin to what this post is actually about. I have a couple questions / recommendations for anyone who feels like sharing some thoughts or personal experiences.
So yeah, I'm a 24 y/o male who is experiencing thinning hair. I first noticed it roughly a little over a year ago, while everyone around me thought I was crazy. The reason I was so convinced or even noticed in the first place was because of one of my best friends had experienced major hair loss by 19. He would seldom bring it up and talk about it, but the funny thing is that I don't think I have ever actually seen his hair, as it was always covered with a hat... I knew he was quite sensitive about it so I would never think twice or even ask to see because I knew the inevitable answer. Anyways, he would always go off about finestride(ProScar specifically), and said if I ever thought I was losing hair to get on it. I knew very little about anything hair loss related, so I turned to the net to do some research. It seemed like it had a solid reputation, so about a year ago I booked an appointment with the doctor and got me a prescription, (although even the doctor thought I was a little weird at the time).
Fast-forward three months, everything seemed great, no noticeable loss and I kind of almost forgot about the whole thing myself which kind of made me think that I was being a little crazy too. However, I continued a got another 3 month subscript and continued through the summer living life and not really thinking anything of it. After the 6 month mark, I didn't see any growth, or further loss so I thought maybe I didn't really even need it anymore and took 2 months off of it... maybe a mistake... but come September once i started back at school I started noticing my hairs falling out over the sink and on my desk whenever I would run my fingers through my hair, this immediately concerned me again, and I started obsessing about it and got back on the proscar. Thing is, this "shedding" hasn't stopped since and feel now I have lost a noticeable amount of hair. I panicked over Christmas and bought some provillus(lol) thinking that might help provide nutrients to regrow hair, since I thought that my diet might have something to do with it. Took those for a month (skipped the minoxidil) cuz I was afraid of making it worse and realized I just wasted $250 bucks. Its all good tho... that is not a major concern.
So chronologically this brings me to about now... I stumbled upon this site 3 weeks ago and read up on the big 3. I had not been using Nizoral until just recently and I have already noticed the "tingling" feeling on my scalp disappear. I have been using it quite aggressively about every 2nd wash and yes it makes my scalp feel good, but I am still shedding. I probably lose 5-10 hairs that I can see when I shower and prob the same if i run my fingers through my hair over the sink. I think its probably about time to start on the minidoxil, but this is where I am uncertain and am looking for advice on what to get.
Thinking about my hair loss constantly has definitely put some major social restraints on my life and I'm close to just taking the buzzer to my dome. (scares me though, because I have always loved my hair, always had complements and never had a shaved head... dunno if it will suit me... and the shock factor among friends will bring up conversations I don't really wanna start... o well.)
So sorry for getting sidetracked again... I need to get to the point.
So my main questions are mostly concerning the "big 3", and how to properly use them.
First, is there any difference between 1mg Propecia and the 5mg Proscar(cut into 1/4s) other than price? Also, what time is it best taken(morn/lunch/night?)
I also wanted to note that I have had no side effects whatsoever that I have noticed since i started.
Second, I am really considering the Rogaine Foam... as well as a buzz cut because i feel as though it would be easier to apply and track results if it is short. (input?) Also, in your experiences, is short hair less noticeable of hair loss than longer hair? I dunno, I still have about 65% of my hair and the major problem area is in the top front (i swear its the worst spot for it). AND, somewhere along the lines I read that minoxidil doesn't work for the frontal region/hairline, but the foam might work?? any input??
Lastly, when using Nizoral, I know optimally it should be 2-3 times a week, but is more use harmful? I do notice that it kinda makes my hair "straw-like" but that could also be just the thinness of my hair. Is there any other shampoos anyone recommends to use for the off days of Nizoral? Possibly to thicken up what I have left? Also, I don't usually condition as I feel it makes my hair even thinner... should i be? I kinda feel dumb asking these questions lol.
Anyways, that was another short novel in itself... if anyone actually got through all that I would totally appreciate any kind of feedback. My main goal at the moment would be to stop shedding as much as I am. I know it is considered good and a sign that treatment is working, but its been about 4 months on again I am not noticing any regrowth... so for me its not very good... Thanks again in advance, and if anyone has any questions or what not I am here and open to talk. Cheers guys, lets tackle this together.
-J
Anyways, I probably should have posted a "my story" on the forum, however I did post a short novel in my bio when I first started for anyone interested... I know it can sometimes help, because all of us in here are in here together... and I can speak for myself that it has helped during some times I've felt alone paired with a nasty case of "why me" syndrome.
Aside from all that, let me begin to what this post is actually about. I have a couple questions / recommendations for anyone who feels like sharing some thoughts or personal experiences.
So yeah, I'm a 24 y/o male who is experiencing thinning hair. I first noticed it roughly a little over a year ago, while everyone around me thought I was crazy. The reason I was so convinced or even noticed in the first place was because of one of my best friends had experienced major hair loss by 19. He would seldom bring it up and talk about it, but the funny thing is that I don't think I have ever actually seen his hair, as it was always covered with a hat... I knew he was quite sensitive about it so I would never think twice or even ask to see because I knew the inevitable answer. Anyways, he would always go off about finestride(ProScar specifically), and said if I ever thought I was losing hair to get on it. I knew very little about anything hair loss related, so I turned to the net to do some research. It seemed like it had a solid reputation, so about a year ago I booked an appointment with the doctor and got me a prescription, (although even the doctor thought I was a little weird at the time).
Fast-forward three months, everything seemed great, no noticeable loss and I kind of almost forgot about the whole thing myself which kind of made me think that I was being a little crazy too. However, I continued a got another 3 month subscript and continued through the summer living life and not really thinking anything of it. After the 6 month mark, I didn't see any growth, or further loss so I thought maybe I didn't really even need it anymore and took 2 months off of it... maybe a mistake... but come September once i started back at school I started noticing my hairs falling out over the sink and on my desk whenever I would run my fingers through my hair, this immediately concerned me again, and I started obsessing about it and got back on the proscar. Thing is, this "shedding" hasn't stopped since and feel now I have lost a noticeable amount of hair. I panicked over Christmas and bought some provillus(lol) thinking that might help provide nutrients to regrow hair, since I thought that my diet might have something to do with it. Took those for a month (skipped the minoxidil) cuz I was afraid of making it worse and realized I just wasted $250 bucks. Its all good tho... that is not a major concern.
So chronologically this brings me to about now... I stumbled upon this site 3 weeks ago and read up on the big 3. I had not been using Nizoral until just recently and I have already noticed the "tingling" feeling on my scalp disappear. I have been using it quite aggressively about every 2nd wash and yes it makes my scalp feel good, but I am still shedding. I probably lose 5-10 hairs that I can see when I shower and prob the same if i run my fingers through my hair over the sink. I think its probably about time to start on the minidoxil, but this is where I am uncertain and am looking for advice on what to get.
Thinking about my hair loss constantly has definitely put some major social restraints on my life and I'm close to just taking the buzzer to my dome. (scares me though, because I have always loved my hair, always had complements and never had a shaved head... dunno if it will suit me... and the shock factor among friends will bring up conversations I don't really wanna start... o well.)
So sorry for getting sidetracked again... I need to get to the point.
So my main questions are mostly concerning the "big 3", and how to properly use them.
First, is there any difference between 1mg Propecia and the 5mg Proscar(cut into 1/4s) other than price? Also, what time is it best taken(morn/lunch/night?)
I also wanted to note that I have had no side effects whatsoever that I have noticed since i started.
Second, I am really considering the Rogaine Foam... as well as a buzz cut because i feel as though it would be easier to apply and track results if it is short. (input?) Also, in your experiences, is short hair less noticeable of hair loss than longer hair? I dunno, I still have about 65% of my hair and the major problem area is in the top front (i swear its the worst spot for it). AND, somewhere along the lines I read that minoxidil doesn't work for the frontal region/hairline, but the foam might work?? any input??
Lastly, when using Nizoral, I know optimally it should be 2-3 times a week, but is more use harmful? I do notice that it kinda makes my hair "straw-like" but that could also be just the thinness of my hair. Is there any other shampoos anyone recommends to use for the off days of Nizoral? Possibly to thicken up what I have left? Also, I don't usually condition as I feel it makes my hair even thinner... should i be? I kinda feel dumb asking these questions lol.
Anyways, that was another short novel in itself... if anyone actually got through all that I would totally appreciate any kind of feedback. My main goal at the moment would be to stop shedding as much as I am. I know it is considered good and a sign that treatment is working, but its been about 4 months on again I am not noticing any regrowth... so for me its not very good... Thanks again in advance, and if anyone has any questions or what not I am here and open to talk. Cheers guys, lets tackle this together.
-J