Young, receding, depressed!

[neilneophytou]

Hi all,

I am wanting to know if someone could possibly give me some advice as I have reached a point of panic/desperation!

I am a 23 year old male who over the past 4-5 months, experienced a lot of hair loss. Now it doesn't seem to be affecting the top of my head, its more my hair line. Receding quite badly and my hairline has become uneven/jagged. Also the quality of hair around my hairline has deteriorated - thin and almost looks broken? Its horrible!

I have been using 5% minoxidil 2 x per day for the past two months and have been taking 1.25mg finasteride for the past one month (which I have just increased to 2.5mg). I have just ordered 15% minoxidil + 5% azelaic acid and will start using that once my currently supply runs out.

My concern is that nothing seems to be working? If anything, it seems to be getting worse?? I understand that regrowth isn't always guaranteed but was under the impression that the regime I am on should at least STOP further loss?

The hair loss began after using anabolic steroids (I understand this was a bad idea but I wasn't aware that I had the male pattern baldness gene until it started falling out!).

Does anyone have any advice for me? Is the increased receding/shedding expected in the beginning of treatment? Is it too soon? Any/all advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rawtashk]

First off, I've been fighting this fight with good success for the last 6 or 7 years.

Step 1: Go back down to 1.25mg of finasteride. Going to 2.5mg will have minimal affect on your hair, and it only opens you up to a higher risk of side effects. 1 month is not NEARLY long enough to see results. In fact, you will probably have more hairloss in the first month or 2 after starting finasteride than you had in the previous month. THIS IS A GOOD THING. Your hairs are purging and regrowing and they will come back stronger. But you have to be patient! It'll take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to see regrowth, and probably 7-12 months to actually SEE results (based on how long it takes hair to regrow). It'll take so long because your hair will have to go through a few cycles before it's really thick enough to make much of a difference.

2: Careful with the minoxidil. I went to 15% and I noticed that I started to get some serious eye-bags and discoloration. I also didn't really see any further regrowth in that area either. Honestly, I would stick with regular 5% minoxidil (rogaine/regain) until you see if it actually does anything. For all you know...5% will be as good as 15% for you, but you'll be stuck with the more expensive and harder to obtain 15% because you think that's what you need.

3: Stick with recommended doses For about a year. Basically UNTIL YOU CAN ACTUALLY TELL IF THEY'RE WORKING OR NOT!!! This stuff takes time, and it's not going to correct itself or slow down overnight. PATIENCE IS KEY RIGHT NOW!!!

4: Get Nizoral and use it every other day for your shampoo.

5: I'm completely serious about 1-4. Don't be one of those guys that comes to a forum asking for advice and then saying "Nah, I don't like your advice" when someone with about 6000% more experience than you gives you advice. That's like going into a gym day one, asking one of the buff guys there to give you form tips, then ignoring him when he does. Don't be that guy. Trust me, I've been in your shoes, and I know what it's like.

 

[neilneophytou]

First off, I've been fighting this fight with good success for the last 6 or 7 years.

Step 1: Go back down to 1.25mg of finasteride. Going to 2.5mg will have minimal affect on your hair, and it only opens you up to a higher risk of side effects. 1 month is not NEARLY long enough to see results. In fact, you will probably have more hairloss in the first month or 2 after starting finasteride than you had in the previous month. THIS IS A GOOD THING. Your hairs are purging and regrowing and they will come back stronger. But you have to be patient! It'll take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to see regrowth, and probably 7-12 months to actually SEE results (based on how long it takes hair to regrow). It'll take so long because your hair will have to go through a few cycles before it's really thick enough to make much of a difference.

2: Careful with the minoxidil. I went to 15% and I noticed that I started to get some serious eye-bags and discoloration. I also didn't really see any further regrowth in that area either. Honestly, I would stick with regular 5% minoxidil (rogaine/regain) until you see if it actually does anything. For all you know...5% will be as good as 15% for you, but you'll be stuck with the more expensive and harder to obtain 15% because you think that's what you need.

3: Stick with recommended doses For about a year. Basically UNTIL YOU CAN ACTUALLY TELL IF THEY'RE WORKING OR NOT!!! This stuff takes time, and it's not going to correct itself or slow down overnight. PATIENCE IS KEY RIGHT NOW!!!

4: Get Nizoral and use it every other day for your shampoo.

5: I'm completely serious about 1-4. Don't be one of those guys that comes to a forum asking for advice and then saying "Nah, I don't like your advice" when someone with about 6000% more experience than you gives you advice. That's like going into a gym day one, asking one of the buff guys there to give you form tips, then ignoring him when he does. Don't be that guy. Trust me, I've been in your shoes, and I know what it's like.

Thank you so much for your reply!

Unfortunately I have already ordered and paid for the 15% minoxidil. I will switch back to the 5% + az acid once I run out.

I see here that it just simply a matter of giving it time! To see an INCREASE in shedding after starting my regimen worried me; hence coming here. But I thank you for your reassurance!