justlurking
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I have been lurking on these boards for about three years now and thought it was about time that I described the steps I have taken to fight the good fight against hairloss.
Firstly, though, I am really grateful for the sound advice that this site offers. I'm in the UK where hairloss and the treatments available are rarely discussed. We are probably years behind the US.
I am 33 and always had a high forehead (apparently it's often associated with brains although I am probably the exception!) just like my dad. Only in the last few years, in his early 60's, has he started to lose hair on the crown. A few people started mentioning my thinning hair and I thought I needed to do somthing about it. The loss was in the temple area - especially the right temple and a slight loss in the crown area. It was particularly noticeable under harsh lighting.
Initially, I took the "natural" route with Revivogen for about a year. I think I was taken in my its slick website (they probably still have the same picture of that fella with the impressive results and I am still waiting for scientific proof that the treatment works). I applied the ointment religiously every night and used the shampoo too. I don't think it had any positive effects (although the shampoo was good) and in fact I think the thinning of my hair probably accelerated because of the treatment -especially when a new lighter-coloured version of the lotion was introduced mid-treatment.
I dropped Revivogen and took the plunge with generic finasteride from an Indian co. called Cipla and have been taking about 1.5mg per day each morning since October 2001. I have never missed a dose. I have had no major side effects although like many posters on these boards, I don't wake up in the morning with an erection like i used to and my semen seems to be more watery and in less quantity. I have had no sheds. I don't think I have had much noticeable regrowth. However, I don't get any comments about my hair loss anymore. Looking at pictures now compared to three years ago, my hair looks thicker although I appreciate that the lighting can make any comparisons betwen pics difficult.
About 4 months ago I added Kirkland's 5% minoxidil to my regime in the quest for regrowth. I apply 1ml twice a day and again I have never missed an application. I take Nizoral 2% shampoo every two or three days. No side effects and I am hopeful that I may see some regrowth. I plan to continue the big three combination (thanks to Bruce Lee for his consistent advocacy of this approach) until I get substantive evidence that Avodart (Dutasteride) works and the side effects are tolerable. One thought on this - I remember reading for many months on this site all the speculation as to when GSK would make Avodart available and since it has been available the silence has been deafening on its efficacy. Why is this? Is it because it is not yet available for male pattern baldness and, as such, hardly anyone is taking it?
Anyway, in conclusion, I think I have made progress although I have no pics to prove this. I don't think I've had much, if any, regrowth yet but I have been consistent in my treatment and I am happy with the results so far. I am hoping that minoxidil will start to do the business in growing new hair but maintenance is fine too. And perhaps I will graduate to Avodart in due course. Although I will be committed to a long-term treatment regime which can be a bit of a pain (applying minoxidil is never much fun) I think for me its a price worth paying.
Finally - thanks for all the wise words from the serious contributors to this forum. It's much appreciated.
Firstly, though, I am really grateful for the sound advice that this site offers. I'm in the UK where hairloss and the treatments available are rarely discussed. We are probably years behind the US.
I am 33 and always had a high forehead (apparently it's often associated with brains although I am probably the exception!) just like my dad. Only in the last few years, in his early 60's, has he started to lose hair on the crown. A few people started mentioning my thinning hair and I thought I needed to do somthing about it. The loss was in the temple area - especially the right temple and a slight loss in the crown area. It was particularly noticeable under harsh lighting.
Initially, I took the "natural" route with Revivogen for about a year. I think I was taken in my its slick website (they probably still have the same picture of that fella with the impressive results and I am still waiting for scientific proof that the treatment works). I applied the ointment religiously every night and used the shampoo too. I don't think it had any positive effects (although the shampoo was good) and in fact I think the thinning of my hair probably accelerated because of the treatment -especially when a new lighter-coloured version of the lotion was introduced mid-treatment.
I dropped Revivogen and took the plunge with generic finasteride from an Indian co. called Cipla and have been taking about 1.5mg per day each morning since October 2001. I have never missed a dose. I have had no major side effects although like many posters on these boards, I don't wake up in the morning with an erection like i used to and my semen seems to be more watery and in less quantity. I have had no sheds. I don't think I have had much noticeable regrowth. However, I don't get any comments about my hair loss anymore. Looking at pictures now compared to three years ago, my hair looks thicker although I appreciate that the lighting can make any comparisons betwen pics difficult.
About 4 months ago I added Kirkland's 5% minoxidil to my regime in the quest for regrowth. I apply 1ml twice a day and again I have never missed an application. I take Nizoral 2% shampoo every two or three days. No side effects and I am hopeful that I may see some regrowth. I plan to continue the big three combination (thanks to Bruce Lee for his consistent advocacy of this approach) until I get substantive evidence that Avodart (Dutasteride) works and the side effects are tolerable. One thought on this - I remember reading for many months on this site all the speculation as to when GSK would make Avodart available and since it has been available the silence has been deafening on its efficacy. Why is this? Is it because it is not yet available for male pattern baldness and, as such, hardly anyone is taking it?
Anyway, in conclusion, I think I have made progress although I have no pics to prove this. I don't think I've had much, if any, regrowth yet but I have been consistent in my treatment and I am happy with the results so far. I am hoping that minoxidil will start to do the business in growing new hair but maintenance is fine too. And perhaps I will graduate to Avodart in due course. Although I will be committed to a long-term treatment regime which can be a bit of a pain (applying minoxidil is never much fun) I think for me its a price worth paying.
Finally - thanks for all the wise words from the serious contributors to this forum. It's much appreciated.
