Where Should I Start?

[ShadowOfSelf]

I am a Norwood 2, maybe slightly more receeded, and my existing hairline is starting to thin as well. It looks like I am going to turn into a 2A.
I was going to go with Bosley, but upon a bad intake session with them and reading this site, I have decided to look elsewhere.
I want to at least start some kind of treatment and give it some time before I try another surgeon. I was thinking of going with Rogaine 5%.
Is this a good place to start?I was going to try Propecia but the possible side effects and the way it works in the body makes me a little nervous. So again I think I want to start with Rogaine. I currently use Selson Blue for my scalp health, but other than that I don't use anything else.

 

[Aplunk1]

My friend, you must research!

Avoid Bosley... http://www.bosleymedicalviolations.com - They aren't even allowed to practice in most of the USA!

Propecia's (finasteride) side effects are under 2% of people. You really don't need to worry about them. Propecia is your best bet, and it's almost guaranteeing that you'll definitely keep what you have for 10+ years.

Rogaine (minoxidil) is great. A lot of us use the 5%. It works synergistically with Propecia to help enhance the hair growth. I use it personally, with great success, even on the hairline.

Nizoral (ketoconazole) is a dandruff shampoo. Although a bit pricier than Selsun, it works better. Not only this, but there are antiandrogens and other chemicals in Nizoral that actually regrow hair! It's been studied, and almost everyone on this forum uses Nizoral for it's numerous benefits.

These are the BIG 3.

This is your most surefire way of maintaining and regrowing your hair... and it's not that expensive either.

Do some research. You'll find out that the BIG 3 is probably the best hair loss regimen you can have as to this date.

I wish you the best of luck. Don't worry about Propecia's side effects. They are unlikely to affect you. If they do, they will vanish in time with continued use or by discontinuing use.

It's up to you.

Please feel free to ask any more questions you might have.

Also, welcome to these forums!

Andy

 

[Felk]

Great advice there from aplunk, he's said it all. Just one thing im not sure about...

it's almost guaranteeing that you'll definitely keep what you have for 10+ years

Thats quite a big claim. I thought at around 5 years, on average a finasteride user had around 40 more hairs than when they started. So pretty much back to baseline. Some weakre responders had started losing again by 2 years, some of the better responders continued to maintain their regrowth (this was from the long term propecia trials)

I'd recommend finasteride too, though.

 

[ShadowOfSelf]

My friend, you must research!

Avoid Bosley... http://www.bosleymedicalviolations.com - They aren't even allowed to practice in most of the USA!

Propecia's (finasteride) side effects are under 2% of people. You really don't need to worry about them. Propecia is your best bet, and it's almost guaranteeing that you'll definitely keep what you have for 10+ years.

Rogaine (minoxidil) is great. A lot of us use the 5%. It works synergistically with Propecia to help enhance the hair growth. I use it personally, with great success, even on the hairline.

Nizoral (ketoconazole) is a dandruff shampoo. Although a bit pricier than Selsun, it works better. Not only this, but there are antiandrogens and other chemicals in Nizoral that actually regrow hair! It's been studied, and almost everyone on this forum uses Nizoral for it's numerous benefits.

These are the BIG 3.

This is your most surefire way of maintaining and regrowing your hair... and it's not that expensive either.

Do some research. You'll find out that the BIG 3 is probably the best hair loss regimen you can have as to this date.

I wish you the best of luck. Don't worry about Propecia's side effects. They are unlikely to affect you. If they do, they will vanish in time with continued use or by discontinuing use.

It's up to you.

Please feel free to ask any more questions you might have.

Also, welcome to these forums!

Andy

So from what I understand, Propecia is mainly for retaining what hair you have and Rogaine is mainly for regrowth? Am I correct in this? Do they both do a little of each though? Also I see that you mentioned Propecia works for 10 years. What happens after that? Does it stop working at that point?
Also I have seen copper peptides mentioned in a few post. I tried doing a search on them but only came up with skin lotions containing it. What does it do for hair loss and is it effective?
Sorry for so many questions.

 

[powersam]

minoxidil and finasteride work by such completely different methods that you cant really compare them like that. finasteride works to halt the balding process at its origin, while minoxidil is basically a chemical wig, generating minoxidil dependant hair. read up about either one on these forums to get more detail.

 

[Aplunk1]

Finasteride can regrow cosmetically noticeable amounts of hair-- 66% of people regrew lost hair. It hasn't been studied over 10 years, so I say 10+ years. It does work for however long you take it, although the balding process does continue... very slowly, it seems.

Minoxidil is a regrowth agent. It revitalizes the hair follicles, awakens them into the growth phase. It has more benefits than just regrowth. It can help you maintain, to reduce shedding (in my case), etc. etc.

They work together for a great combination, enhancing the effects of each other.

Copper peptides DO have some research behind them. Although, their research is limitied. Copper peptides are classified as either "growth stimulants" or "SuperOxide Dismutase's." Either way, they will probably regrow some hair on your scalp, either by creating a healthy environment for your other "proven" treatments, or by enriching the dying follicles with copper peptides, etc. The most commonly used copper peptide treatments are: Tricommin Follicle Therapy Spray, American Crew Revitalize Spray, Folligen Spray.

In my personal use, I can say this about copper peptide sprays:

They are GOOD at MINIMIZING hairloss (ie reducing shedding). They are great for post-minoxidil applications. They are great at making your scalp feel clean and good.

I hope this helps.

 

[ShadowOfSelf]

Finasteride can regrow cosmetically noticeable amounts of hair-- 66% of people regrew lost hair. It hasn't been studied over 10 years, so I say 10+ years. It does work for however long you take it, although the balding process does continue... very slowly, it seems.

Minoxidil is a regrowth agent. It revitalizes the hair follicles, awakens them into the growth phase. It has more benefits than just regrowth. It can help you maintain, to reduce shedding (in my case), etc. etc.

They work together for a great combination, enhancing the effects of each other.

Copper peptides DO have some research behind them. Although, their research is limitied. Copper peptides are classified as either "growth stimulants" or "SuperOxide Dismutase's." Either way, they will probably regrow some hair on your scalp, either by creating a healthy environment for your other "proven" treatments, or by enriching the dying follicles with copper peptides, etc. The most commonly used copper peptide treatments are: Tricommin Follicle Therapy Spray, American Crew Revitalize Spray, Folligen Spray.

In my personal use, I can say this about copper peptide sprays:

They are GOOD at MINIMIZING hairloss (ie reducing shedding). They are great for post-minoxidil applications. They are great at making your scalp feel clean and good.

I hope this helps.

Yes this does help, thank you 8)
Can I find the copper peptide brands you listed in places like Walmart or one of the big pharmacy chains, or do I have to order them online? Also do the copper peptides deal with dry scalp(dandruf) or would I still need to take something like Selson Blue for that?