Started to notice some thinning (and have had a very small bald spot for a while)...

[JHCL1990]

Hi. I'm 24 years old, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and generally take care of myself, but recently (within the last few months) have noticed my hair thinning on the left side above my temple (pic below):



Here's the right side for comparison (pic below):



I've also had a very small, pale bald spot for a while (pic below):



As you can see, I have thin and oily hair to begin with (haven't washed since Friday and rubbed some olive oil on last night) as well as a widows peak hairline, and seem to be losing hair on the left side of my scalp above my temple. I also don't know why I have that bald spot, which is worrisome.

I've been using Head & Shoulders: Endurance (every time I shower), Nizoral 2% (3 times per week), some random moisturizing conditioner (every time I shower--just bought Nioxin Scalp Recovery Conditioner), and Infusium 23 leave-in treatment (after every shower).

If my hair were to stay like this for the rest of my life I'd be happy, but I'm worried that won't be the case.

Honest opinions? What should I be using? What should I ask my Dermatologist when I go back to see her?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ptrt]

You're definitely thinning out. If this all started within the last few months, finasteride will be the best option with minoxidil.

Your hair is probably oily because of all the products you're using and the amount of washing you're doing. The more you mess with your hair, the more oil it's going to produce. Conditioners aren't needed with oily hair. Neither is olive oil. You're just making it worse.

 

[zzzzz]

start finasteride. starting minoxidil in combo with finasteride will give you max regrowth but finasteride alone is enough to at least maintain

 

[JHCL1990]

Thanks for the opinions and advice. The thing is, I'm really worried about taking oral hair loss drugs because I've heard of terrible side effects related to low testosterone. I would rather shave my head completely than not be able to function sexually.

 

[JHCL1990]

I'm honestly worried about the side effects of oral hair loss medications.

 

[eenrak]

You will regret not giving it a go. Worst case scenario is that you get side effects which statistically speaking are completely reverse able. However, serious side effects are really uncommon.

 

[stop dht]

Aggressive temple thinning with some moderate recession without finasteride u got no chance otherwise u gotta get some s5 cream but its so hard to apply if u got long hair . To be honest i m not optimistic about temple regrowth but u can thicken peaks with minoxidil and u can thicken what u got makes u cosmetically better so your choice

 

[JHCL1990]

Hmmm okay I'll ask the Doctor about it next week when I see her.

About the conditioner... Should I never use one since my hair is naturally more oily? Should I only use the H&S: Endurance and Keto 2%? Or should I also mix in the Nioxin Hair Recovery Conditioner once in a while?

Thanks again.

- - - Updated - - -

Hmmm okay I'll ask the Doctor about it next week when I see her.

About the conditioner... Should I never use one since my hair is naturally more oily? Should I only use the H&S: Endurance and Keto 2%? Or should I also mix in the Nioxin Hair Recovery Conditioner once in a while?

Thanks again.

And what should I use other than finasteride? Nizoral and Minoxidil? Are there any other good/necessary products?

 

[zzzzz]

if you are satisfied with maintaining, only use finasteride. If you want the most regrowth possible, use minoxidil. The doctor may recommend ketoconazole shampoo along with the finasteride

 

[JHCL1990]

Already bought some minoxidil and will ask doctor about finasteride next Wednesday when I see her. How much does finasteride cost per month and where can I get it?

Also have to say that I AM quite nervous about the side effects. The fact that minoxidil ages your face and finasteride can destroy your testosterone is worrisome. I'm big into weightlifting and have quite an active sex life, so those side effects would be terrible for me.

 

[Ptrt]

Stay active, try a small dose and see if it works (0.5-0.6mg per day), and don't get so stressed about it.

finasteride is very cheap - I think I only paid 11 bucks for 90 pills, which lasts a year for me.

 

[JHCL1990]

From a script your Doctor gave you? Or did you order it online?

 

[Ptrt]

That was from Walmart pharmacy with a prescription.

 

[JHCL1990]

I'll be honest, after reading up on how much shedding minoxidil causes, I'm re-thinking using it...