I started noticing changes maybe a year or so ago, but honestly I had even noted what type of hairline I had, and had longish hair at the time. I thought I was just mistreating my hair in some way, balding didn't seem to be a potential affliction at 21! I was not aware of how common it was, and did not look at other people my age.
In my 3rd year of college, totally caught by surprise. I feel I am now so much older looking, I am an outcast among all my peers who have normal hair. I cut it shorter and make no more attempts to cover it up. I was not going to hide it, as I know that would be even more unhealthy. I see looks of pity from some people. I was already stressed out, but this adds to my worries and I feel a large aspect of my youth is lost. My self-esteem is also much worse. I am short (5'6") and had struggled with that, the flat out dismissal from certain women, the ridicule by certain people, and finally, for about a period of 2 years, I had been attractive and confident. Now I am hit with another uncontrollable physical trait, a victim of genetics. Others have it worse, but I definitely got a shorter stick.
4 months of partial misery and worrying, and now I am adjusting to the idea of shaving my head. From reading forums, I know that those are worse off are the ones that dwell, the ones who cannot let go. No changes in my hair for the rest of my life, I will still be able to attract some people. It still is a big drag, though.
Treatment right now is Minoxidil and Finastertide (1.25 fincar a day). Going on 3 months for the former and .5 months for the latter. I am still optimistic, I am young so recovery should be good, but everything is slow and I still have thoughts like "this is all hair on lease that I am getting", "it may not even go back to being good for long, if at all".
I hope for some holy grail fix within 6 years, although for my mental health I do not count on it.
Here is a link to my pictures, norwood 2.5 - 3 I believe.
http://www.hairlosshelp.com/websites/carrotcake/
I suppose what I would appreciate is anyone who has seen similar hairloss at my age, I'd like to know how they recovered and for how long so I can see possible outcomes for the future, what my expectations should be. Is there a chance I will be a poor responder?
Look forward to posting on these forums, have a nice day everyone.
In my 3rd year of college, totally caught by surprise. I feel I am now so much older looking, I am an outcast among all my peers who have normal hair. I cut it shorter and make no more attempts to cover it up. I was not going to hide it, as I know that would be even more unhealthy. I see looks of pity from some people. I was already stressed out, but this adds to my worries and I feel a large aspect of my youth is lost. My self-esteem is also much worse. I am short (5'6") and had struggled with that, the flat out dismissal from certain women, the ridicule by certain people, and finally, for about a period of 2 years, I had been attractive and confident. Now I am hit with another uncontrollable physical trait, a victim of genetics. Others have it worse, but I definitely got a shorter stick.
4 months of partial misery and worrying, and now I am adjusting to the idea of shaving my head. From reading forums, I know that those are worse off are the ones that dwell, the ones who cannot let go. No changes in my hair for the rest of my life, I will still be able to attract some people. It still is a big drag, though.
Treatment right now is Minoxidil and Finastertide (1.25 fincar a day). Going on 3 months for the former and .5 months for the latter. I am still optimistic, I am young so recovery should be good, but everything is slow and I still have thoughts like "this is all hair on lease that I am getting", "it may not even go back to being good for long, if at all".
I hope for some holy grail fix within 6 years, although for my mental health I do not count on it.
Here is a link to my pictures, norwood 2.5 - 3 I believe.
http://www.hairlosshelp.com/websites/carrotcake/
I suppose what I would appreciate is anyone who has seen similar hairloss at my age, I'd like to know how they recovered and for how long so I can see possible outcomes for the future, what my expectations should be. Is there a chance I will be a poor responder?
Look forward to posting on these forums, have a nice day everyone.
