Starting the Big 3...

[MusicTof]

Hey Everyone. I am 22 and have started experiencing hair loss. I have been looking around this forum to see what has proven most effective for most people and it looks like the Big 3 has helped out alot of people.
So what ive read here is that the Big 3 consists of :

1. Finasteride
2. Nizoral
3. minoxidil
So what is the best type of Finasteride to take? Propecia, Proc'erin, etc??
Im leaning towards Propecia but i dunno what is better out there.
There is only one type of Nizoral right, because its a shampoo right?
And for minoxidil i thought i would just take 5% Rogaine. Once again, is there anything with a more high success rate than Rogaine??

Also i plann on taking a few vitamins that are supposed to help with hair loss...i found this list on the web and thought id start taking them:
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Biotin
Inositol
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
L-Cysteine and L-methionine
Coenzyme Q10


So if you guys could just give me some more info on the Big 3 and what works best id really appreciate it...
Ill take pics after i start the Big 3 withoyour guys's advice

 

[Nathaniel]

As far as finasteride you can try Proscar and cut it in fourths, it is the same as Propecia, the difference being is that Proscar pill equals 5mg and Propecia 1mg/pill. The problem with propecia is the price, so thats why its better to just buy proscar and cut the tablets.

Minoxidil: So far I have only used brand name rogaine 5%, both the liquid version and the foam version. I can honestly tell you that the foam is much easier to apply, and they both work pretty well, so go with the foam if you choose rogaine brand.

Nizoral shampoo is sold over the counter and you should apply twice per week.

 

[Londo]

How far along is your hairloss? Does similar hairloss run in your family? Have you seen a doctor yet?

You should see a doctor before taking Propecia/Proscar/Finasteride. He can make sure it is male pattern baldness and make sure it OK for you to take Finasteride

If you have a family history of similar hairloss then you probably have male pattern baldness.

If your hairloss isn't too bad I'd just recommend Finasteride and Nizoral. That may be enough for now. Give those at least 6 months.

I get peace of mind getting my Finasteride from my local pharmacy. I'm now using generic Proscar and cutting the pills into quarters (1.25mg). The generic Proscar is made by Merck, so I know it is good. With my insurance this costs me $60/four months.

I'm partial to Target generic 5% Minoxidil which is $18/three months. I've been using Rogaine foam which is $47/ three months. I'm thinking now that I'll use foam in the morning or when I'm in a hurry and use the liquid in the evening.

The only kind of non-prescription Nizoral I know of in the U.S. is the 1% shampoo. That is what I use

I had excellent results in the first four months with just the Finasteride and Target liquid Minoxidil. My thinning was pretty extensive though at the beginning, so I wanted to combine finasteride and Min from the start.

Got any pics?

Good luck!

 

[MusicTof]

Hey.
I have discussed this with my doctor and he says it is male pattern baldness.
Thanks for all the advice guys....

I will put up the pics in a bit...right before i start the 3 steps/.

 

[Londo]

Good, I forgot to mention taking pics, those are a must.

I thought I took good pictures. I took overhead, baldspot, side, and front pics. I feel now that I should have taken temple and hairline pics so I could better judge if I've made progress there.

Take a look at other peoples pictures and see what you like and what you don't. Getting someone else to take the pictures will probably be helpful.