I quit...

[nyjrb]

I stopped using minoxidil about a week or two ago, I haven't noticed a difference since I started using it about 6 months ago and it was a pain in the *** to apply. Should I worry about losing more hair, because I stopped? I've started to use concealers, and have been liking it so far.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about prescribing me dutasteride, but I'm bit worried about the sides. Honestly I hate taking meds unnecessarily, so if this doesn't work, I'm considering it a last-ditch effort.
I'll probably stop the meds, and if my hair loss gets worse, I'll get a system.

 

[Roberto_72]

I stopped using minoxidil about a week or two ago, I haven't noticed a difference since I started using it about 6 months ago and it was a pain in the *** to apply. Should I worry about losing more hair, because I stopped? I've started to use concealers, and have been liking it so far.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about prescribing me dutasteride, but I'm bit worried about the sides. Honestly I hate taking meds unnecessarily, so if this doesn't work, I'm considering it a last-ditch effort.
I'll probably stop the meds, and if my hair loss gets worse, I'll get a system.

I feel you. As a last ditch effort I would do a different thing, though. Once a dermatologist who has written many articles on the subject affirmed "it is not min or finasteride. It it min AND finasteride combined that work".
unfortunately side effects of finasteride for me were bad, so I left it. But if I were you I would try, maybe after checking hormone levels...

 

[GoldenMane]

I stopped using minoxidil about a week or two ago, I haven't noticed a difference since I started using it about 6 months ago and it was a pain in the *** to apply. Should I worry about losing more hair, because I stopped? I've started to use concealers, and have been liking it so far.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about prescribing me dutasteride, but I'm bit worried about the sides. Honestly I hate taking meds unnecessarily, so if this doesn't work, I'm considering it a last-ditch effort.
I'll probably stop the meds, and if my hair loss gets worse, I'll get a system.

Have you heard of artificial bio fiber implants? Like a semi permanent hair system...

 

[Wolf Pack]

If you don't lose hair over the next 2-3 months, then you know Minoxidil was doing nothing for you. I never started it because I knew I would never be able to adhere to the minoxidil regimen. I am also thinking of adding dutasteride though, keep everyone updated. I hope it helps my new small hairs thicken me up to Norwood 2. Dem hairline gains brah.

- - - Updated - - -

I feel you. As a last ditch effort I would do a different thing, though. Once a dermatologist who has written many articles on the subject affirmed "it is not min or finasteride. It it min AND finasteride combined that work".
unfortunately side effects of finasteride for me were bad, so I left it. But if I were you I would try, maybe after checking hormone levels...

finasteride can work on it's own, I had a thread up before of my pictures. My crown had a slight hole which got filled in pretty quick. Rest of my hair thickened to wig like. I also am growing hair in the frontal region even now. But both finasteride and minoxidil do work best together as a general rule.

 

[DoctorHouse]

I stopped using minoxidil about a week or two ago, I haven't noticed a difference since I started using it about 6 months ago and it was a pain in the *** to apply. Should I worry about losing more hair, because I stopped? I've started to use concealers, and have been liking it so far.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about prescribing me dutasteride, but I'm bit worried about the sides. Honestly I hate taking meds unnecessarily, so if this doesn't work, I'm considering it a last-ditch effort.
I'll probably stop the meds, and if my hair loss gets worse, I'll get a system.

As someone who tried dutasteride with the same pattern loss as you, I can tell you it might not be any better than finasteride but have more sides. I had to quit as it gave me more sides and it seemed like things were getting worse on it but who knows for sure. You can try it but I don't know too many cases where someone with your loss benefited more than finasteride.

 

[PappinAce]

If you don't lose hair over the next 2-3 months, then you know Minoxidil was doing nothing for you. I never started it because I knew I would never be able to adhere to the minoxidil regimen. I am also thinking of adding dutasteride though, keep everyone updated. I hope it helps my new small hairs thicken me up to Norwood 2. Dem hairline gains brah.

- - - Updated - - -



finasteride can work on it's own, I had a thread up before of my pictures. My crown had a slight hole which got filled in pretty quick. Rest of my hair thickened to wig like. I also am growing hair in the frontal region even now. But both finasteride and minoxidil do work best together as a general rule.

Awesome! How long did it take to get there with finasteride?

 

[nyjrb]

If you don't lose hair over the next 2-3 months, then you know Minoxidil was doing nothing for you. I never started it because I knew I would never be able to adhere to the minoxidil regimen. I am also thinking of adding dutasteride though, keep everyone updated. I hope it helps my new small hairs thicken me up to Norwood 2. Dem hairline gains brah.

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any loss, which I do anyway. I honestly don't think minoxidil was doing anything for me, so I'm not expecting any significant difference one way or another.
Honestly, I'll be surprised if my doctor prescribes me dutasteride. He wasn't convinced that I needed finasteride. He said that I didn't have noticeable hairloss, certainly not anything unusual for my age (25), and that I shouldn't worry. I did manged to get a script for finasteride, but it was after being persistent.
I'd like to get my hair evaluated under a microscope and get a rough idea of what type of norwood I can expect. But I'm not sure where to go though. Derm, maybe?
My uncle and grandfather never progressed much further then where I am now, so maybe I don't even need meds. I also read that the earlier you start to bald, the more likely you'll end up a high norwood. I started at around 23/24. I don't think that's early, so maybe I don't have to worry?
I can handle a receding hairline, I just don't want to end up with a horseshoe.

 

[PappinAce]

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any loss, which I do anyway. I honestly don't think minoxidil was doing anything for me, so I'm not expecting any significant difference one way or another.
Honestly, I'll be surprised if my doctor prescribes me dutasteride. He wasn't convinced that I needed finasteride. He said that I didn't have noticeable hairloss, certainly not anything unusual for my age (25), and that I shouldn't worry. I did manged to get a script for finasteride, but it was after being persistent.
I'd like to get my hair evaluated under a microscope and get a rough idea of what type of norwood I can expect. But I'm not sure where to go though. Derm, maybe?
My uncle and grandfather never progressed much further then where I am now, so maybe I don't even need meds. I also read that the earlier you start to bald, the more likely you'll end up a high norwood. I started at around 23/24. I don't think that's early, so maybe I don't have to worry?
I can handle a receding hairline, I just don't want to end up with a horseshoe.

Good point. Something we tend to forget is that hair loss =/= eventual complete baldness. I know plenty of 50 and 60 year olds with receded hairlines but otherwise full heads, and they've been that way for decades. Sometimes you get loss and it stops.

 

[abcdefg]

True, but no one wants that receded hairline whether its at 50 or whatever. You have no idea where its going to go, but I would bet money its going to get worse before it gets better long term. I still have doubts someone loses hair and then it doesnt keep slowly going, but just freezes in place forever. Maybe in rare cases but most of the time I really doubt it. Almost nothing improves as you get older it just gets worse.

 

[KO21]

I hit my 20's and my hair has been a disappearing act ever since.

 

[Kingreggie91]

I stopped using minoxidil about a week or two ago, I haven't noticed a difference since I started using it about 6 months ago and it was a pain in the *** to apply. Should I worry about losing more hair, because I stopped? I've started to use concealers, and have been liking it so far.
I'm going to talk to my doctor about prescribing me dutasteride, but I'm bit worried about the sides. Honestly I hate taking meds unnecessarily, so if this doesn't work, I'm considering it a last-ditch effort.
I'll probably stop the meds, and if my hair loss gets worse, I'll get a system.

while on Minoxidil, were you losing hair or did you maintain what you had? Because if you maintained what you had, I feel like that's progress which, IMHO, it's working and making a "difference".

 

[kmm179]

I just switched to dutasteride about 2 weeks ago. finasteride was definitely helping but someone here posted a link were to get it and was cheap so I figured why not.So I get it online without a prescription. I think i get 120 for like 75$ including shipping. finasteride was helping me but dutasteride has reduced shedding even more.

 

[nyjrb]

while on Minoxidil, were you losing hair or did you maintain what you had? Because if you maintained what you had, I feel like that's progress which, IMHO, it's working and making a "difference".

I feel I was still losing. I feel I'm still losing on finasteride. My hair doesn't seem any better since starting either medication. I'm not sure what that means for my future, but I think my genes are going to do what they want to do, regardless if I try to prevent it or not.

 

[Fullhead1day]

I feel I was still losing. I feel I'm still losing on finasteride. My hair doesn't seem any better since starting either medication. I'm not sure what that means for my future, but I think my genes are going to do what they want to do, regardless if I try to prevent it or not.

How long have you been on finasteride?

 

[nyjrb]

I've been on finasteride for about a year and 4 months.

 

[shookwun]

Shh no tears, only bic results

 

[nyjrb]

Shh no tears, only bic results

I'm actually considering trying a buzzcut to see if I can pull it off. I know you recently shaved your head Shookwun, would you recommend it?

 

[shookwun]

I never recommend shaving your head, that's entirely unnecessary and might do more harm then good.

I zero guarded my hair which again totally not needed in your case. I had no choice, after ditching the wig... to have it even all over.


I suggest to keep it tight; Faded, and tapered sides. Crew cut: crown is faded and gradually get's denser and longer towards the front.

Very clean, sophisticated and aesthetic hair cut even if you are balding.


Buzzing it is for people who have diffuse: and otherwise people on there way to norwood cemetery.

 

[Fullhead1day]

I've been on finasteride for about a year and 4 months.

You got pictures before starting the drug, and pictures today for comparison? Some people expect huge nw0 regrowth, when it's not possible in most situations. You very well could have maintained. I think I saw your pics before, no minoxidil or AA will give you temple regrowth.. If you think you were still receding on finasteride, I would try dutasteride, drop minoxidil, get a hair transplant and call it a day.

 

[nyjrb]

I want to fix my temples, but I think I'm also suffering from diffuse loss as well. Today, I took a video of the the top of my head as I moved my hair around to see what it looks like, and I was very surprised.