Canuck2001's Story - (32 / Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

[Canuck2001]

I'm a 32/M, Black hair, Brown Skinned, Stocky Build, 5'7" with Diffuse Pattern Loss on my scalp (so it looks like an NW1 going straight to NW6). My hair seems to have started to aggressively shed in the last couple weeks.

A couple of my other friends have gone through this type of loss already - and based on their progression I figure I've probably got max 3 months before it becomes extremely obvious and I'll have to take drastic steps (clippers or surgery - I refuse to do a toupee and/or comb over).

My father (who is his mid to late 50s) started losing his hair in his late 20's and is now stabilized around a NW6. My mother's brothers (late 40's, early 50's) started losing their hair in their mid to late 20's as well and would also be around a NW5/6.

The on-set of hair loss has really caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. I've started eating less and not getting as much sleep. I'm having nightmares about losing my hair and it is always in the back of my mind. The stress has started to impact me at work as well since I'm more tired and not as motivated at times.

I'm still going out - but I'm more conscious of my hair now and think that people are looking at me because of the thinning. Adding to my stress is realizing that not having any hair is another strike against me in the relationship game (again I'm med height and I've got stocky/overweight build).

I've always had a pretty full head of hair which has looked good wet or dry. In 2005 I freaked out because I thought I was losing my hair and started on 1mg Propecia - unfortunately I experienced the side effects and got off of it after about 6 months without any issues. I didn't experience any new loss or thinning up until this year.

I started noticing that my hair wasn't growing as fast/thick in Feb 2010, however I didn't pay that much attention to it because I didn't see any thinning on the crown or on my sides (as per the Norwood scale) - I just thought it was because I was getting a little older (noticed a lot more gray hairs)

I went for my regular hair cut in June 2010 and the girl cut it a little shorter then expected - this made it evident that my hair was aggressively thinning. I started noticing more hairs in the shower (which were shorter and thinner) and my hair looked awful when I got out of the shower (saw a lot of the scalp). It is obvious to me in recent pictures that my scalp is starting to show through more (especially when a flash is used)

Given my past experience with finasteride I didn't really want to go back on it but I tried 0.5 mg ED for about a week at the start of July 2010 and started noticing the side effects after 5 days.

My family doctor told me to see a local hair specialist/surgeon - who of course told me that I should get on minoxidil and finasteride and that he couldn't do anything for me at this time because I've got too much hair and because the pattern hasn't really been established yet. He sold me some 12.5% minoxidil which I'm applying nightly.

After doing a lot of reading about different doses of finasteride I'm going to try 0.25 mg EOD and see how it works out for me and how bad the side effects are on it. Again this add's to my stress since I might again have to choose between a full head of hair or being able to perform in bed.

I don't think it is time yet for me to take out the clippers and shave it down - but if I don't see any decent results with finasteride/minoxidil I'm going to seriously look into it (I buzzed my head in 2006 with a # 1 for about 1 year - but never to the scalp it).

I'm not happy about the hair loss - but I'm even more upset with the anxiety and stress it is causing me in the rest of my life. I honestly didn't think that this would have such a big impact on my life.

Any comments, thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Canuck2001

Current Regimen:
0.25 mg of finasteride EOD - Mid July 2010
1.00 ml of 12.5% minoxidil ED - Mid July 2010
I'll post some pics later.

 

[abovedagame]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

Hey man,

I like you have suffered greatly because of hair loss. I hope you see the results you wish.

As far as suggestions, do you have any itching or inflammation of the scalp? On this website, it recommends to use an anti inflammatory/dandruff shampoo a few times a week (like nizoral which is sold OTC at 2% strength in Canada).

Even in the propecia trials, they used neutrogena t/gel (another dandruff shampoo) because they felt that scalp problems could inhibit results (not a lot of people know this). So if you have any problems go and pick up a bottle of nizoral and use it once every 3 days. Lather it in you scalp and let it sit for about five minutes so it can penetrate your scalp.

good luck bro!

 

[Canuck2001]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

Thanks Abovedagame,

I've actually got both Neutrogina T-Gel and Nizoral - I've been using Nizoral twice a week right now - but I'll move it to 3 times a week and make sure to give it a good 5 minutes to soak in.

 

[abovedagame]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

Yea, those are also the two shampoos I also rotate on a weekly basis (I have a horribly itchy and flaky scalp). My post didn't specifically say to use it 3 times per week (although this is what i do ).

The reasoning behind the once every 3 days recommendation is because it is rumored that the active ingredient in the shampoo stays active in the scalp for roughly 72 hours.


Just as a side note, how much does nizoral 2% cost in canada? The brand name in the US is prescription only and costs an arm and a leg!

 

[Canuck2001]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

AbovedaGame,

3 times a week is quite doable for me - I just need to remember to let it sit for a bit of time. I've seen people post about Revivogen and spironolactone on this site - have people had any real luck with these two options?

The Nizoral was about $10.00 CDN for 120 ml - however I bought it a the local pharmacy - I think I could get a better price at the supermarket and/or COSTCO.

 

[Canuck2001]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

Here are two recent pics. I might actually be a NW1.5V right now - even better news for me

 

[Boulder25Male]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

Take a look at my post and see my pics and routine.

For you I'd suggest if you are worried, start finasteride and in 6-12 months you can see if you should start taking rogaine.

I regret waiting as you can see what my hair was like and is like now in my post. I probably should have started it 3 years ago but instead I started it when I may no longer get any hair back.

 

[Canuck2001]

Re: Canuck2001's Story So Far (M/32/Diffuse Loss on Scalp)

So its been a couple weeks since I last visited the site and posted. Though there is a lot of good info I had to stop looking because I was freaking myself out and causing a lot of stress (couldn't eat, sleep and started losing weight).

I've been taking 0.25 mg of finasteride every day and using the 12.5% minoxidil every night. At this point in time I haven't seen any real improvement in my hair. Not sure if I'm getting worse or if I'm just going through a bit of a shed period.
Minimal to no side effects on 0.25 so I'm going to try 0.5 mg and see how I feel - I'm just hoping that it isn't too late (should have probably started back in Feb/March).

Getting my haircut at the end of July was a bit stressful - but I got a good barber and he cut it nicely - a little longer then in the past - but I guess I can't go super short anymore.

I'm going to keep up with the regime for a little longer. I'm not sure if I'm going to get another 12.5% solution or just switch to the 6% foam (the solution is a pain).

I've actually started to workout on a more regular basis, eat a lot better and try and relax a bit more and I feel great. I'm hoping for some improvement- but if I don't see what I'm looking for then its time to go the other way and buzz/bic it.

Hope you are all doing well and that things are working out for you!

 

[Tiger's Bald Spot]

I only see the two pictures from July, but based on those, your hair is looking strong and healthy. You might be right that you have started losing diffusely, but I can't tell from the pictures. Even if you are, it seems to me that you are more than a few years away from having to even contemplate buzzing it.

Good luck with your treatments.

 

[Canuck2001]

Hey Everybody,

Well I'm not sure if I'm freaking out or if it is real but my hair is starting to look even thinner then before. I'm not sure if I'm going through the minoxidil & finasteride shed or if I'm just not really responding at all.

My hair feels really thin and brittle and looks worse then in July, its got no volume at all and just falls flat. I'm trying some different styling products - but I think i might have to look into getting it cut a little different.

Since the last time I've upped my dosage to 0.5 mg of finasteride daily and I'm continuing to use the 12.5% minoxidil solution before night. I kind of wish I hadn't started minoxidil because I probably could have gotten away with just using finasteride and leaving it where it was - now if I stop I'll go through another shed.

I'm noticing some side effects with the 0.5 mg of finasteride - but I'm going to just keep at it for a little bit to see if they go away - otherwise I'll fall back to the 0.25 mg.

At the end of the day I'm not stressed as much as I was in June - but I'm not happy either. I'm honestly looking at taking it down to the scalp just to get people use to me with shorter hair.

I'll post a couple pics later.

 

[Canuck2001]

Here are some more recent pictures

 

[ivangennaro]

Dude, I am browsing through random topics tonight and I see most of the people have full head of hair -which the real male pattern baldness-struck people here would kill for- which don't have any signs of male pattern baldness. I don't think you need minoxidil etc. If you're that worried and saw any difference comparing to the hair you've had before; just get onto finasteride to maintain it and have some regrowth in long-term.

 

[Canuck2001]

Hey Ivan,

Since it is diffuse I don't really show the normal signs of male pattern baldness. I won't be going from NW1 to NW2 to NW3 etc, I'll be going direct to a NW5/6.

I hear what you are saying - after reading some of the other posts I realize that I'm in a better position then some other guys since its started a little later in life for me and I caught it earlier before it got too bad.

That being said it still the fact that I am losing my hair does cause me stress, but I'm learning to just deal with it and move on (its amazing what a good haircut and the right hair care product can do).

I'm thinking that I'm probably going to stop the minoxidil and see what the impact is - if the finasteride works by itself and maintains what I've got then that should be good (again just getting it cut a little differently makes a huge difference).

Thx for the feedback and comments!

 

[ivangennaro]

Yep, I know diffuser don't show the regular signs of male pattern baldness; the receding hairline, temples gone etc. The whole hair on top gets thinner year by year. What meant was that you shouldn't be worried about when you see your scalp under flash with wet hair. I don't think you have lost your hair so much to start a treatment. I guess there is some gel on your hair on those photos (or simply it's wet) and flash made the crown look see-through. It's normal to see some scalp under these conditions; I guess. Most of the people would show scalp with wet hair and when flash shines from top.

If I were you, I would just use finasteride to maintain what I got - assuming you have the hair-loss history in your family.

BTW, I have just seen that you're 32. God, I'd kill to have your hair when I'm 32 even though my male pattern baldness hasn't started to progress yet

 

[deadlocks]

You really should have nothing to worry about.

 

[Canuck2001]

Yes male pattern baldness does run in my family my father and my uncles are all in their late 40's to late 50's and are NW5/NW6. They started losing in their late 20's - however they weren't diffuse (dad went NW2A, mom's bros were NW2V's based on photo's and conversations I've had with them in private).

Some of the pics are dry, some are damp. Up until this year my hair was very dense and grew very quickly so I would never see my scalp (even when it was cut short and wet) so that is part of the reason why it bothers me as much as it does (I was looking forward to the salt & pepper look).

Like I said - I'm coming to terms with the situation and I'll make the most of it because I know that it could be worse. If i can maintain what I got then it will be great. If the lower doses of finasteride don't work (I know I can't do 1mg daily because of the sides) then I'll do what needs to be done when it gets to the point that it is really noticeable (I personally don't like to the halo and I look okay with a shaved head once i get a little sun on it). Worse comes to worse I save up and do an hair transplant to get back some coverage.

Who knows what is going to happen in the next couple years they way things are going with all of the research in this field - I'm hoping fewer and fewer men & women (I really feel for the women who are thinning) will have to go through this.

 

[Canuck2001]

Quick update ...

Well I stopped the minoxidil at the end of August since I'm really more interested in just maintaining what I've got right now and I hated the chore of applying it nightly (it was the liquid). I think I'm going through a bit of a mini shed right now - hopefully it won't last too long.

I went to 0.25 mg of finasteride daily. I was finding 0.5mg of finasteride daily was screwing up my body a little too much and I figured that 0.25 mg would probably be more effective then 0.5 mg EOD (unless people have found that not to be the case).

I'm hoping that things will stabilize soon.

 

[Canuck2001]

Well just another quick update ...

I'm still shedding - I estimate I'm losing 10 to 20 hairs per day (see some in the shower, see some when I style my hair, see some on my shirt after work) and it is really frustrating. I'm losing a mix of thick and thin hairs - so I'm hoping that things will stabilize soon and I'll see some regrowth.

I still don't think it is very noticeable (well except to me) so I'll just keep up with the regime and styling and take things as they come.

I would appreciate some feedback from people on what their thoughts are in regard to 0.25 mg daily vs 0.5 mg every other day. I'll post some pictures after my next hair cut.

 

[Spanishlad]

.25 a day should be more effective than .5 EOD due to the short half life of finasteride.
My hairloss is similar to yours and Im 31. Im on the big three and have maintained pretty well for the past 3 years.

 

[Canuck2001]

Well it is the month of October (month 4 from when I started my battle) and I wish I could say that the shedding has stopped and I've seen some growth and/or stabilization but I unfortunately cant. I will say it has slowed down somewhat (I'm seeing closer to 10 hairs per day) however I'm not really seeing any increase in density.

Still not sure what is attributable to the finasteride and what is attributable to the stopping of minoxidil at the beginning of Sept. How have people's experiences been with generic finasteride compared to Propecia? The last time I went the pharmacist gave me the option saying that it is the same dose and everything (I'm taking a 0.5 mg dose because 1mg screws with my system).

Getting my hair cut is getting more and more stressful but I made it through and felt better after. I've attached some pics below - again I know that I'm in a better position then some of the other guys - but its still stressful. I didn't post any pics of the hair wet or with a flash this time (the flash pictures were really scary and show how much I've lost).

Here is hoping that the rest of Month 4 and Month 5 will go better. I appreciate your feedback and comments.

My Regimen is as follows [month 4]
- 0.5 mg generic finasteride daily [I'd live to drop this down to 0.25 but I need to see things stabilize first]
- Nizoral 3 times per week (Neutrogrene T-Gel once in the while for a change)
- Garnier Fruictus Shampoo & Conditioner Daily [I find it makes a difference]
- KMS HairPlay or DFI Hair Paste
- A good Barber and a lot of hope!