Is this male pattern baldness?
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Quickstrike
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Thanks guys.
I imagine the hair transplant consultant will be able to tell me right away what Norwood I am at.
I have been on Finn + Nizoral for about 7 weeks now. Hair loss has slowed down dramatically! + the hair that I do lose is full length. The period 3 months prior to taking Finn, I was losing hundreds upon hundreds of vellus hairs everyday. I wouldn't even touch my head and there were hundreds of curly, miniaturized blondish hairs scattered everywhere around the house. I think that is when I lost tonnes of my hair density. Probably all the little hairs that were trying to shoot out one last time, but the DHT killed them off before maturity.
Been holding off on the Minoxidil. I know I can easily follow the Finn + Nizoral regime for the rest of my life. And I know with Finn, if I for instance forget to take the pill one night, my hair won't immediately fall out. With Minoxidil, it seems like if you miss a day or two, there is often an incredible amount of shedding that goes on.
Plus I hear there are some pretty nasty side effects if you apply it on the front of your head - dark circles under the eyes, droopy eye lids, mottled skin. If I had crown thinning, I would apply it there. But my goals are adding thickness everywhere + lower hairline.
Just ordered some 30mg Zinc tablets. I will start taking those daily - currently use fish oil, vitamin d and coenzyme q10.
I imagine the hair transplant consultant will be able to tell me right away what Norwood I am at.
I have been on Finn + Nizoral for about 7 weeks now. Hair loss has slowed down dramatically! + the hair that I do lose is full length. The period 3 months prior to taking Finn, I was losing hundreds upon hundreds of vellus hairs everyday. I wouldn't even touch my head and there were hundreds of curly, miniaturized blondish hairs scattered everywhere around the house. I think that is when I lost tonnes of my hair density. Probably all the little hairs that were trying to shoot out one last time, but the DHT killed them off before maturity.
Been holding off on the Minoxidil. I know I can easily follow the Finn + Nizoral regime for the rest of my life. And I know with Finn, if I for instance forget to take the pill one night, my hair won't immediately fall out. With Minoxidil, it seems like if you miss a day or two, there is often an incredible amount of shedding that goes on.
Plus I hear there are some pretty nasty side effects if you apply it on the front of your head - dark circles under the eyes, droopy eye lids, mottled skin. If I had crown thinning, I would apply it there. But my goals are adding thickness everywhere + lower hairline.
Just ordered some 30mg Zinc tablets. I will start taking those daily - currently use fish oil, vitamin d and coenzyme q10.
SayifDoit
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You hair loss btw doesn't seem too aggressive. Good you started finasteride, though it doesn't necessarily last forever you have to remember. But in your case I'm pretty sure you could completely halt your hair loss for another 10+ years, who knows maybe even longer.
And always remember Propecia isn't the only option to halt hair loss, there are other products you can use in conjunction with the stuff, think about that in the future.
Great job getting getting the zinc tablets!! I can't wait to hear back from you in a couple months and see your condition!
And always remember Propecia isn't the only option to halt hair loss, there are other products you can use in conjunction with the stuff, think about that in the future.
Great job getting getting the zinc tablets!! I can't wait to hear back from you in a couple months and see your condition!
Quickstrike
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Wowwwwwwwwww.. still at an all time low.
Not even sure if a hair transplant is worth it guys. My head of hair is like 2-3 hairs dense - it was thinning so rapidly I probably would've been a full on NW6 by now if didn't start finasteride when I did.
Is a thin haired fuller hairline that much better than a heavily receded one? I still can't believe that I didn't notice the thinning until this year. Did it all happen in a short period of time? I keep on analyzing it in my head. I think it must have. The winter of 2013, I was still growing my hair out for 6-8 months before I cut it. It didn't look like absolute garbage then. Now it has grown for 2 months and it is so ****ing soft and fluffy. Just a mess of flyaway hairs. You can still see just a trace of the "wings" running along my ears - a memory that I once had a nice wave to my hair.
I feel like if there were no treatments I would be able to cope a little easier. The fact that I saw male pattern baldness at the earliest stages and waited 6 years to act is even worse than the actual balding LOL. But it looked good for 5 or so years - I think.. You can't be that hard on yourself - I think.. The general public still isn't widely aware of finasteride and other medications - I think.. Maybe I should just live my life, being grateful that I am not completely bald..... hmm.
Why isn't finasteride advertised more? I've been thinking of a depressing fact.. IIRC, finasteride has been on the market since 1998.. It will halt/drastically slow down hair loss in 9/10 men. The majority of men don't start balding before they are 20. That means, 90% of the male population, aged 36 and under, should never have had to experience male pattern baldness - at least the advanced stages.
For [90% of] the 36 year old and younger crowd, hair transplants should never have to occur.
I don't remember how I thought of bald people before I started balding. I think I talked to them like any other human being. I probably made a quick mental note of their lack of hair follicles and then that was it. If I talk to some of my old friends and relatives.. the people who knew me before I was balding, is that all they will think about? My lack of hair? How undesirable I am. I often feel that way.
I roll out of bed and put on a baseball cap.
Damn I ****ed up my life.
If I turn **** around and attempt at living, I will be *that bald guy* buying material objects to cope. That funny bald guy. That bald guy with all the money - the only way he can now attract women. ****.
Could I ever have a kid, knowing it could be a boy who shares the same male pattern baldness genetics?
Sometimes I almost wish the finasteride stops working.. then I can rationalize that had I started 6 years ago, I would have been no better off.
I don't know guys.. dark thoughts..
Perhaps I'll look back at this in 2015 and laugh at how I wasted several months of my life stressing over my hair.. I sure hope so.
Not even sure if a hair transplant is worth it guys. My head of hair is like 2-3 hairs dense - it was thinning so rapidly I probably would've been a full on NW6 by now if didn't start finasteride when I did.
Is a thin haired fuller hairline that much better than a heavily receded one? I still can't believe that I didn't notice the thinning until this year. Did it all happen in a short period of time? I keep on analyzing it in my head. I think it must have. The winter of 2013, I was still growing my hair out for 6-8 months before I cut it. It didn't look like absolute garbage then. Now it has grown for 2 months and it is so ****ing soft and fluffy. Just a mess of flyaway hairs. You can still see just a trace of the "wings" running along my ears - a memory that I once had a nice wave to my hair.
I feel like if there were no treatments I would be able to cope a little easier. The fact that I saw male pattern baldness at the earliest stages and waited 6 years to act is even worse than the actual balding LOL. But it looked good for 5 or so years - I think.. You can't be that hard on yourself - I think.. The general public still isn't widely aware of finasteride and other medications - I think.. Maybe I should just live my life, being grateful that I am not completely bald..... hmm.
Why isn't finasteride advertised more? I've been thinking of a depressing fact.. IIRC, finasteride has been on the market since 1998.. It will halt/drastically slow down hair loss in 9/10 men. The majority of men don't start balding before they are 20. That means, 90% of the male population, aged 36 and under, should never have had to experience male pattern baldness - at least the advanced stages.
For [90% of] the 36 year old and younger crowd, hair transplants should never have to occur.
I don't remember how I thought of bald people before I started balding. I think I talked to them like any other human being. I probably made a quick mental note of their lack of hair follicles and then that was it. If I talk to some of my old friends and relatives.. the people who knew me before I was balding, is that all they will think about? My lack of hair? How undesirable I am. I often feel that way.
I roll out of bed and put on a baseball cap.
Damn I ****ed up my life.
If I turn **** around and attempt at living, I will be *that bald guy* buying material objects to cope. That funny bald guy. That bald guy with all the money - the only way he can now attract women. ****.
Could I ever have a kid, knowing it could be a boy who shares the same male pattern baldness genetics?
Sometimes I almost wish the finasteride stops working.. then I can rationalize that had I started 6 years ago, I would have been no better off.
I don't know guys.. dark thoughts..
Perhaps I'll look back at this in 2015 and laugh at how I wasted several months of my life stressing over my hair.. I sure hope so.
Quickstrike
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Well, it has almost been 7 months since I started the finasteride/Nizoral/Zinc Regime.
Here are some updated pics:
Have experienced quite the shed this past month. Went from next to no hairs in my hand, back to pre-finasteride levels.
How long do you guys think I should wait before I get a hair transplant?
If I get an aggressive hair transplant + cut my hair shorter [so it isn't so wispy at the front], do you think most of the public eye would think I was an advanced stage balder?
My parents, friends and hair stylist still say "don't worry, you aren't going to be bald.. a lot of mens hair thins like yours does at your age".... Just a reminder.. even if every man on your moms side of the family has a full head of hair, and everyone suggests that you aren't going to be bald.. if you are shedding hair in mass quantities - take care of it ASAP!
EDIT: I forgot to force the cameras flash on, so some images I brightened up in photoshop. In most images I have my hair parted in segments - Front - forward, Rear - backward, Sides - straight down. The hair stylist left the back longer than the front and sides, as you can see.
These shots are after getting off the treadmill [sweaty,greasy hair]. After a shower and adding some hair gel, I can reduce the wispy front down to manageable levels.
I am kinda thinking I should just buzz it down with the clippers and consider myself a bald man for the rest of my life. This past year has been the worst year of my life. I have totally ignored all my friends and family - become a hermit. I wear a baseball cap at all times. I merely exist. All my goals and ambitions have been postponed. I can't live like this anymore.
I can't even wear a baseball cap around without feeling like utter ****.
I want to get a hair transplant this November, but I guess I could gain or lose more hair afterwards. Probably should take finasteride for a full year before plunking the money down?
- - - Updated - - -
Here are some shots after a shower.. it's about a tenth the thickness it was a few years ago, but it doesn't look too bad on a calm day:
Here are some updated pics:
Have experienced quite the shed this past month. Went from next to no hairs in my hand, back to pre-finasteride levels.
How long do you guys think I should wait before I get a hair transplant?
If I get an aggressive hair transplant + cut my hair shorter [so it isn't so wispy at the front], do you think most of the public eye would think I was an advanced stage balder?
My parents, friends and hair stylist still say "don't worry, you aren't going to be bald.. a lot of mens hair thins like yours does at your age".... Just a reminder.. even if every man on your moms side of the family has a full head of hair, and everyone suggests that you aren't going to be bald.. if you are shedding hair in mass quantities - take care of it ASAP!
EDIT: I forgot to force the cameras flash on, so some images I brightened up in photoshop. In most images I have my hair parted in segments - Front - forward, Rear - backward, Sides - straight down. The hair stylist left the back longer than the front and sides, as you can see.
These shots are after getting off the treadmill [sweaty,greasy hair]. After a shower and adding some hair gel, I can reduce the wispy front down to manageable levels.
I am kinda thinking I should just buzz it down with the clippers and consider myself a bald man for the rest of my life. This past year has been the worst year of my life. I have totally ignored all my friends and family - become a hermit. I wear a baseball cap at all times. I merely exist. All my goals and ambitions have been postponed. I can't live like this anymore.
I can't even wear a baseball cap around without feeling like utter ****.
I want to get a hair transplant this November, but I guess I could gain or lose more hair afterwards. Probably should take finasteride for a full year before plunking the money down?
- - - Updated - - -
Here are some shots after a shower.. it's about a tenth the thickness it was a few years ago, but it doesn't look too bad on a calm day:
Last edited:
Quickstrike
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Any suggestions?
Is it generally recommended to stay on the regime for a year or two before considering a hair transplant?
That top down perspective with messy hair is really disturbing. I think the whole front 2/3rd's of my hair is like that, but the wave in my hair naturally wants to intersect / close up gaps when it isn't so greasy.
Think my donor hair is thick enough, that if it were transplanted densely in the front, I might be able to raise my bangs with gel?
With enough money spent through hair transplant's, is it possible to have a decent looking head of hair again?
Bald spots on the top of head.. that is probably past NW3 territory? Things are looking pretty grim?
Is it generally recommended to stay on the regime for a year or two before considering a hair transplant?
That top down perspective with messy hair is really disturbing. I think the whole front 2/3rd's of my hair is like that, but the wave in my hair naturally wants to intersect / close up gaps when it isn't so greasy.
Think my donor hair is thick enough, that if it were transplanted densely in the front, I might be able to raise my bangs with gel?
With enough money spent through hair transplant's, is it possible to have a decent looking head of hair again?
Bald spots on the top of head.. that is probably past NW3 territory? Things are looking pretty grim?
Quickstrike
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Thanks man.
I was thinking of going with either Dr. Hasson or Dr. Rahal this November. That would only be 9 months taking finasteride. IIRC, I have heard people state that they grew back some hair after the 1 year mark, so perhaps it is worth waiting to see if any bald spots are filled in?
Always a tough call, but would something like 4000 grafts be too ambitious for a late 20 year old with a family history of Norwood 6's?
EDIT: Didn't realize hair transplant clinics were overbooked like they are. November now seems unlikely.
I was thinking of going with either Dr. Hasson or Dr. Rahal this November. That would only be 9 months taking finasteride. IIRC, I have heard people state that they grew back some hair after the 1 year mark, so perhaps it is worth waiting to see if any bald spots are filled in?
Always a tough call, but would something like 4000 grafts be too ambitious for a late 20 year old with a family history of Norwood 6's?
EDIT: Didn't realize hair transplant clinics were overbooked like they are. November now seems unlikely.
SayifDoit
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You ever try dutasteride? Because it may be important for in he future.
Quickstrike
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SayifDoit
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You getting any sides from finasteride, unless I missed something?
The only reason I suggest dutasteride because you said your hair loss is really aggressive and it could leave you with a odd-looking hairline in the future. I would recommend buzzing it short, getting ready for your hair transplant. Hey it might look good.
I had my hair really long for a while and I looked ****ing dreadful, anyone who look at me who could see I was balding pretty badly(my recession was really pronounced), or let's say it appeared as if I was balding. After I had a hair-cut and had it really short! It actually doesn't look too bad. I don't know what it is but having longer hair at times can really accentuate balding
The only reason I suggest dutasteride because you said your hair loss is really aggressive and it could leave you with a odd-looking hairline in the future. I would recommend buzzing it short, getting ready for your hair transplant. Hey it might look good.
I had my hair really long for a while and I looked ****ing dreadful, anyone who look at me who could see I was balding pretty badly(my recession was really pronounced), or let's say it appeared as if I was balding. After I had a hair-cut and had it really short! It actually doesn't look too bad. I don't know what it is but having longer hair at times can really accentuate balding
Quickstrike
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I haven't noticed any sides from the finasteride.
Where's a good place to order dutasteride? I had a hard enough time getting the finasteride prescription from my doctor, so I would imagine dutasteride would be nigh impossible.
Thanks again for your replies. Feeling a bit lonely at times
.
I plan on buzzing it sometime soon. Have some family over visiting, I think I might do it after they leave.
Where's a good place to order dutasteride? I had a hard enough time getting the finasteride prescription from my doctor, so I would imagine dutasteride would be nigh impossible.
Thanks again for your replies. Feeling a bit lonely at times
.I plan on buzzing it sometime soon. Have some family over visiting, I think I might do it after they leave
.Quickstrike
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Ugh. FFS.
Pretty sure my hair is worse than it was in August.
Sept. 11 - Started Kirkland minoxidil -- 3 mL - 2 times a day
Oct. 27 - Added Revita Shampoo -- use once a day
Oct. 27 - Started RU58841 -- dissolve 100 mg in 1 mL of Ethanol - add to 3mL of minoxidil - use at nights
Nov. 13 - Made 5% Azelaic Acid minoxidil solution - use either that or minoxidil foam in the morning
Nov. 24 - First time using 1.5mm Dermastamp - plan on using every 3 weeks
Nov. 24 - Started using Retin-A 0.025% an hour before evening minoxidil application [skip random nights]
Dec. 8 - First use of Daktacort cream - hour before evening minoxidil - plan on alternating Retin-A and Daktacort
Next up..
Plan on starting:
5mg Dutasteride - every day -- yeah, that is 5mg. I bought it for cheap. 5mg daily dosage will last me over 2 years with the supply I have.
10 mg Oral minoxidil
200 mg Oral spironolactone
**** me. Could have had my teenager hair for 20+ years if I started finasteride when I was first concerned.
Pretty sure my hair is worse than it was in August.
Sept. 11 - Started Kirkland minoxidil -- 3 mL - 2 times a day
Oct. 27 - Added Revita Shampoo -- use once a day
Oct. 27 - Started RU58841 -- dissolve 100 mg in 1 mL of Ethanol - add to 3mL of minoxidil - use at nights
Nov. 13 - Made 5% Azelaic Acid minoxidil solution - use either that or minoxidil foam in the morning
Nov. 24 - First time using 1.5mm Dermastamp - plan on using every 3 weeks
Nov. 24 - Started using Retin-A 0.025% an hour before evening minoxidil application [skip random nights]
Dec. 8 - First use of Daktacort cream - hour before evening minoxidil - plan on alternating Retin-A and Daktacort
Next up..
Plan on starting:
5mg Dutasteride - every day -- yeah, that is 5mg. I bought it for cheap. 5mg daily dosage will last me over 2 years with the supply I have.
10 mg Oral minoxidil
200 mg Oral spironolactone
**** me. Could have had my teenager hair for 20+ years if I started finasteride when I was first concerned.
Quickstrike
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Damnit! What a way to ruin New Years Eve.
Cut my hair last night - #4 clippers [1/2 inch]
Here is the damage.
I'm pretty sure the top has thinned out a tonne since I started minoxidil / RU. Just from the way it felt as I shampooed.. but it is hard to be 100%.
Hair Loss Regime From Beginning to Now:
Feb. 6 - Started 1.25 mg Finasteride daily
Sept. 11 - Started Kirkland minoxidil -- 3 mL - 2 times a day
Oct. 27 - Added Revita Shampoo -- use once a day
Oct. 27 - Started RU58841 -- dissolve 100 mg in 1 mL of Ethanol - add to 3mL of minoxidil - use at nights
Nov. 13 - Made 5% Azelaic Acid minoxidil solution - use either that or minoxidil foam in the morning
Nov. 24 - First time using 1.5mm Dermastamp - plan on using every 3 weeks
Nov. 24 - Started using Retin-A 0.025% an hour before evening minoxidil application [skip random nights]
Dec. 17 - Started taking 2.5mg Chinese generic Dutasteride powder daily
Pic from Feb. 10 - 4 days After finasteride [for comparison]
Cut my hair last night - #4 clippers [1/2 inch]
Here is the damage.
I'm pretty sure the top has thinned out a tonne since I started minoxidil / RU. Just from the way it felt as I shampooed.. but it is hard to be 100%.
Hair Loss Regime From Beginning to Now:
Feb. 6 - Started 1.25 mg Finasteride daily
Sept. 11 - Started Kirkland minoxidil -- 3 mL - 2 times a day
Oct. 27 - Added Revita Shampoo -- use once a day
Oct. 27 - Started RU58841 -- dissolve 100 mg in 1 mL of Ethanol - add to 3mL of minoxidil - use at nights
Nov. 13 - Made 5% Azelaic Acid minoxidil solution - use either that or minoxidil foam in the morning
Nov. 24 - First time using 1.5mm Dermastamp - plan on using every 3 weeks
Nov. 24 - Started using Retin-A 0.025% an hour before evening minoxidil application [skip random nights]
Dec. 17 - Started taking 2.5mg Chinese generic Dutasteride powder daily
Pic from Feb. 10 - 4 days After finasteride [for comparison]
Notcoolanymore
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Buzzing your head can make the situation look worse than it is. I'm not saying that you aren't losing your hair, but I would recommend growing it out and finding that sweet spot where you can still style your hair and have it look good. I started buzzing early on because I couldn't style my hair the way I wanted too. I should have looked into other hair styles.
Quickstrike
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It has been about a Year and 4 Months since I last posted..
Here are some updated pics.. I don't think I notice a difference, which means this is probably the 'stabilized' hair that I am left with.
- - - Updated - - -
LOL. Just noticed that one hair on my forehead is still hanging in there.
I know my hair line used to be at least that low at one time.
If I compare that pic with this one:
Do you think that is around the same area on my forehead? Perhaps some of the vellus hairs have thickened up?
Here are some updated pics.. I don't think I notice a difference, which means this is probably the 'stabilized' hair that I am left with.
- - - Updated - - -
LOL. Just noticed that one hair on my forehead is still hanging in there.
I know my hair line used to be at least that low at one time.
If I compare that pic with this one:
Do you think that is around the same area on my forehead? Perhaps some of the vellus hairs have thickened up?
Quickstrike
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LOL.. Too much free time.
My head is tilted to the right on the right-hand comparison picture.
Think I found the same point of recession on both. Marked out where that is. Drew a line from that point down to use as a point of reference. Found the same wrinkle line [more developed in my more recent pic - getting older]. That allowed me to find what could be the same hair from a Feb.9,2014 photo, now in a later April.30, 2016 photo.
My head is tilted to the right on the right-hand comparison picture.
Think I found the same point of recession on both. Marked out where that is. Drew a line from that point down to use as a point of reference. Found the same wrinkle line [more developed in my more recent pic - getting older]. That allowed me to find what could be the same hair from a Feb.9,2014 photo, now in a later April.30, 2016 photo.
BackSoThickHoesWantTheTip
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looks like it is. look into finasteride and minoxidil