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Martin's
Hair Loss Fight
Martin is a recent addition to the HairlossTalk community, and has
just started out on his journey to stop his hair loss. Martin has
agreed to let us document his progress as attempts to stop and reverse
his hair loss.
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Introducing Martin: August 3, 2001
"Ever since high school I have been a victim of this emotionally
and physically devastating disease of hair loss. I remember well my
fellow classmates, making fun of my hairline. If that wasn’t bad
enough, even one of my teachers, someone who I looked up to for guidance
and support, jokingly pointing to my hairline, laughing and saying,
“you’re going down!” This was all at about age 16, and
not anything that I will soon forget.
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Martin's
Hair Loss Fight |
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"Since then, I have always assumed that with age, the teasing
and name-calling would go away. I figured that this hair loss I am experiencing
is just temporary, and should subside any day. I thought that I would
end up with the hairline my father has: slightly receded, but with a
little work in the morning looks pretty good. However, I never imagined
that the casualties my hairline had already experienced would still
leave me vulnerable for yet even more teasing and name calling by my
fellow employees in the workplace. Surprisingly, many grown adults don’t
reach their full maturity level as others their age, which doesn’t
help much in my situation."
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"Well, 6 years have passed since that day in high school and I have
successfully surpassed my fathers’ hairline, losing yet even more
hair than he has, and not any amount of time in the mirror with a comb
in the morning could make me feel any better about my hair. Now at the
age of 22, I finally really looked at myself in the mirror and admitted
that this problem is not going to go away any time soon. Once I admitted
that to myself, I became desperate to find a cure for my problem, immediately.
I was so desperate that instead of trying some of the hair loss remedies
out there, I made an appointment with a hair transplant surgeon. I wanted
a quick remedy, something that would greatly improve the appearance of
my hairline in the quickest amount of time. And transplants seemed to
be my answer. Although extremely costly, the surgery, in my mind would
be well worth having my self-esteem and physical appearance back once
again."
Changing Plans...
"It wasn’t until about one week before my appointment with
the scalpel, while browsing around on the Hair Loss Talk Website, was
I persuaded to try other hair loss options first before considering
any surgical procedure. However, I still wanted positive results in
as little time as possible. I wanted to put an end to my continuing
hair loss and a have good chance of regrowing a large percentage of
the hair I have already lost. So, I was recommended the combination
of Rogaine, Propecia, and Nizoral A-D shampoo by the Hair Loss Talk
Website. Once given the suggestion, I immediately began the program.
Within hours, I purchased Rogaine 5%, Nizoral, and had a prescription
for Propecia. At this point, I was not willing to sacrifice one single
hair more unless it was necessary for the overall good of my hairline."
2 Month Update
"I have been on this program for about 2 months now. Currently
I am using Rogaine 5%, twice per day; once in the morning and once in
the evening, Propecia, once per day in the morning, and Nizoral A-D
shampoo once every 3-4 days. Since the first day of my hair loss regimen,
I have been extremely anxious, wondering what my hair would look like
at the peak point of the program, which would be at about the 1-year
mark. So far I feel that I have seen a great improvement in the appearance
of my hair. It feels and looks thicker and healthier. Others around
me I have asked have noticed an improvement as well. I definitely feel
much better than I did 2 months ago, and I plan on being on this program
for as long as I care about my physical appearance."
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Photos B4 Treatment |
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"Although the regimen is fairly inconvenient, I feel that it will
be well worth it if I get the results I want out of it. Currently the
only problems I have experienced are with the Rogaine. Having to apply
it twice per day and letting it set for up to 4 hours until washing
is a bit inconvenient as you can imagine. Also, at first, there was
extensive itching on the scalp that is a bitch to get to because if
you scratch, you will rub off the Rogaine. But after using the Nizoral
for a few weeks, that problem completely went away. I am also experiencing
flaking of the scalp as a result of the dried Rogaine. Once dried, the
Rogaine resembles peeling skin caused by severe sunburn. Not only that,
but once you try to brush the flakes away, it looks as if you have dandruff.
Needless to say, it’s not very pretty."
"The Propecia is just as important to me as taking my multi-vitamin
every day. I have had absolutely no problems that I have noticed with
the Propecia since I have started it. I feel at this point, if no negative
side effects have arisen thus far, then I expect not have any at all
for as long as I continue to use it. Besides, the only know side effect
of Propecia is impotence in 2% of men. And trust me, I have definitely
not had any problems in that area. The only draw back of using Propecia
is the cost. It runs me about $50 per month. But like I said before,
if this program will give me the results I am looking for, it is well
worth it. At this point, I am willing to do whatever it takes."
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The
Products in Martin's Regimen |
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Minoxidil 5% two x Daily |
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Propecia 1mg daily |
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Nizoral every 3 Days |
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The first Shedding Period...
"The Propecia is just as important to me as taking my multi-vitamin
every day. I have had absolutely no problems that I have noticed with
the Propecia since I have started it. I feel at this point, if no negative
side effects have arisen thus far, then I expect not have any at all
for as long as I continue to use it. Besides, the only know side effect
of Propecia is impotence in 2% of men. And trust me, I have definitely
not had any problems in that area. The only draw back of using Propecia
is the cost. It runs me about $50 per month. But like I said before,
if this program will give me the results I am looking for, it is well
worth it. At this point, I am willing to do whatever it takes."
"Needless to say, I am really looking forward to the days,
weeks, even months ahead in my hair loss program. Each day I look in
the mirror and swear that I can notice the start of a new, healthy hair
beginning to grow. I am amazed to see that I am only at the 2-month
point in this hair loss regimen and am already beginning to see positive
results, when others have told me not to expect anything for at least
6 months. I can’t wait to see what I will look like at that 1-year mark.
I am hoping for the best and am feeling confident that I will be pleased
with what I will see in the mirror at that time. Even if I do not achieve
the results I am hoping for, I will have at least done all that I could
in saving what’s left of my hair until something better comes along."
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