Back in September I had an extremely emotional breakup with my gf and started graduate school around the same time. Pretty stressful situation to say the least. Anyway, a few months later I notice the front of my hairline begin to thin as well as the crown and back. The back was the most stunning since it was very thick just as recently as August and used to be very poofy, as well as the rest of my hair, but thinned very fast. I'm not sure what caused such rapid, diffuse thinning but I've been shedding a lot more hairs in the shower and when styling my hair since then. It's pretty depressing and causing me to freak out/stress more about it. It's now mid-January and I feel like I've lost a ton of density when I first noticed the hair loss back in October. You can see through my scalp when looking in the mirror through the hairline which scares the crap out of me. I just don't know how I lost so much hair in such a small timeframe. My hairline hasn't receded much, at least from what I can tell, during these last few months, but the thinning is all over the scalp (including sides and back). I just don't know if something else is at hand since I thought balding is a long process and not something that happens as dramatic as this in just a few months. Not sure if it's Telogen Effluvium, male pattern baldness, or both.
I've noticed hairs fall out there were thinner at the base than they were at the tip as well as finer strands which indicate miniaturization. More hair shows up in my hands when I shower than in the summer. Some of the strands in my hairline are finer and have a copper/blonde tint instead of dark brown. I'll run my hands through my hair and at least 3-4 strands will fall out each time. I went to one of those laser hair centers since they have a free consultation (only because they have the advanced microscopic equipment) and the guy did indicate some miniaturization and that I'm in the very early stages of balding. He said I should take Saw Palmetto and buy a LaserComb. Now after reading these boards it seems like I should get on the Big 3 instead (isn't the LaserComb a waste of money?). I already have 2% Nizoral from a previous bout of seborrheic dermatitis a couple of years ago that I've been using every third day. I have a prescription from my GP for Propecia but I'm seeing a dermatologist tomorrow to get a second opinion and see what she thinks. Just wanted to get some advice around here on what I should do. I'm a little reluctant to start Rogaine just because of the twice-day application for the rest of my life since I'm only 26, but thoughts/opinions are welcome. Also kind of scared of taking finasteride after reading about all the sides users experience (libido, ED, depression, etc) as well as the sheds. I'll see what the dermatologist says and then fill my prescription for Propecia and start taking it. I just want to thicken up my hairline/crown/back to what it used to be. I hope it's not too late…
I've attached some pictures. I know I'll get some flack since it looks like I have a head full of hair and all but believe me when I say it used to be a lot thicker just as recently as August/September. Also, I stopped taking an anti-depressant for over six years this past June and read that withdrawal symptoms include hair loss. I'm still awaiting blood tests from my GP to see if anything else is out of wack. I'm pretty skinny (6'2", 165lbs) but lift weights once a week and do cardio 1-2 times a week. Anyway let me know what you think since there seems to be some good opinions on here, thanks!
FYI - Pics were taken with hair gelled on the front/top, not in the back, and were shot with a flash
I've noticed hairs fall out there were thinner at the base than they were at the tip as well as finer strands which indicate miniaturization. More hair shows up in my hands when I shower than in the summer. Some of the strands in my hairline are finer and have a copper/blonde tint instead of dark brown. I'll run my hands through my hair and at least 3-4 strands will fall out each time. I went to one of those laser hair centers since they have a free consultation (only because they have the advanced microscopic equipment) and the guy did indicate some miniaturization and that I'm in the very early stages of balding. He said I should take Saw Palmetto and buy a LaserComb. Now after reading these boards it seems like I should get on the Big 3 instead (isn't the LaserComb a waste of money?). I already have 2% Nizoral from a previous bout of seborrheic dermatitis a couple of years ago that I've been using every third day. I have a prescription from my GP for Propecia but I'm seeing a dermatologist tomorrow to get a second opinion and see what she thinks. Just wanted to get some advice around here on what I should do. I'm a little reluctant to start Rogaine just because of the twice-day application for the rest of my life since I'm only 26, but thoughts/opinions are welcome. Also kind of scared of taking finasteride after reading about all the sides users experience (libido, ED, depression, etc) as well as the sheds. I'll see what the dermatologist says and then fill my prescription for Propecia and start taking it. I just want to thicken up my hairline/crown/back to what it used to be. I hope it's not too late…
I've attached some pictures. I know I'll get some flack since it looks like I have a head full of hair and all but believe me when I say it used to be a lot thicker just as recently as August/September. Also, I stopped taking an anti-depressant for over six years this past June and read that withdrawal symptoms include hair loss. I'm still awaiting blood tests from my GP to see if anything else is out of wack. I'm pretty skinny (6'2", 165lbs) but lift weights once a week and do cardio 1-2 times a week. Anyway let me know what you think since there seems to be some good opinions on here, thanks!
FYI - Pics were taken with hair gelled on the front/top, not in the back, and were shot with a flash
