NuckyThompson's story (16 years old)

[NuckyThompson]

male pattern baldness and treatment Started at 16, 18 now + PICS

UPDATE 01/12/12:

Hello everyone!

It has been more than 1.5 years since I started this thread, almost 2 years.
I am 18 years old now, 19 in march.
First off all I would like to thank you all for being such a great community: I wouldn't know what I would've done if I hadn't found this site.

I've been on Minoxidil since April 2010, and switched to 5% somewhere in February 2012.
I knew I had to postpone starting finasteride at least untill I was 18, so I did.
I wish I could postpone it a few more years, because at 18/19 your body hasn't fully developed yet, but after many, many consideratoins I have concluded that it's time to start now.
One of the main reasons is that in the last month, for the first time in my life, someone made a comment about me (presumably) going bald.

I am going to pick up my first prescription of finasteride in a hour or so, and thus my regimen will be:

1. Finasteride 1mg
2. Minoxidil 5% [twice a day]
3. Revita shampoo [thrice a week]
4. Vitamins for hair

I have taken my baseline photos, for as far as you can call them 'baseline photos' because I've been on minoxidil for more than 1.5 years.
So here is my photo archive:


1. Left side

[Age: 16] Absolute baseline, before any treatment
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture2.jpg

[Age: 17] 4 months on minoxidil 2%
[Photo 1] + [Photo 2]

[Age: 18] Pre-finasteride baseline
[Photo]



2. Right side

[Age: 16] Absolute baseline, before any treatment
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture3.jpg

[Age: 17] 4 months on minoxidil 2%
[Photo 1] + [Photo 2]

[Age: 18] Pre-finasteride baseline
[Photo]



3. Crown

[Age: 16] Absolute baseline, before any treatment
[Photo 1] + [Photo 2] + [Bonus picture, me at 16 while playing a sport]

[Age: 17] 4 months on minoxidil 2%
[Photo]

[Age: 18] Pre-finasteride baseline
[Photo 1] + [Photo 2] + [Photo 3] + [Photo 4] + [Photo with flash, so a bit skewed but nevertheless mortifying ]



4. Frontal

[Age: 18] Pre-finasteride baseline
[Photo]


I still have the same reasons for being apprehensive about starting finasteride as 2 years ago, and would rather wait some more time, but on the other hand I am shedding like never before
and don't want to waste any more time: The earlier you start, the more you can save right?

I will post about any side-effects I experience while starting finasteride/ in the long run.

If you have any comments, tips etc. please share them!


Thank you!









Original thread, my first time posting here

Hello all.
I've known about Male Pattern Baldness for about a year and a half, and during that time I also found this forum somewhere, so I thought it was about time I'd register and make my own thread.

I am 16 years old (17 in a month) and almost know for sure I have (advanced) male pattern baldness. First, the facts:

-My maternal grandfather is bald
-His son, my uncle, is bald
-My paternal grandfather is bald
-My father is not bald

I know that the major indicator is of course my maternal grandfather, but I thought it to be worthwhile to mention the others too. (not so lucky I guess)

So, here are the pictures:




1. [B]Normal haircut[/B]
[URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture1.jpg"]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g35 ... cture1.jpg[/URL]

2. [B]Left side[/B] (Hurts me to be confronted with this... ouch)
[URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture2.jpg"]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g35 ... cture2.jpg[/URL]
[B][COLOR=#FF0000]4 months:[/COLOR][/B]  [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture1.jpg"][B][Photo 1][/B][/URL] + [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture2.jpg"][B][Photo 2][/B][/URL]

3. [B]Right side[/B]
[URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture3.jpg"]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g35 ... cture3.jpg[/URL]
[B][COLOR=#FF0000]4 months:[/COLOR][/B] [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture3.jpg"][B][Photo 1][/B][/URL] + [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture4.jpg"][B][Photo 2][/B][/URL]

4. [B]Crown with lamp directly shining at it[/B]
[URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture5.png"]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g35 ... cture5.png[/URL]
[B][COLOR=#FF0000]4 months:[/COLOR][/B] [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture5.jpg"][B][Photo 1][/B][/URL] + [URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/4m_picture6.jpg"][B][Photo 2][/B][/URL]

5. [B]Same, except with light off, for what it's worth[/B]
[URL="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/ichinose1/Picture5.jpg"]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g35 ... cture5.jpg[/URL]



As you would have seen, I have a big forehead, but due to some birth difficulties I have a flat back head too, and I cannot imagine seeing my head fully shaved...

What steps do I, or can I take, what are my options?
Especially since I am only 16, finasteride won't be an option (yet) right?

You have to realize that being a teenager is a difficult time, since you're not emotionally mature yet, and hormones are messing up your train of thoughts.
All my peers worry about their own problems, and so do I.
But this is just one burden too much for a teenager like me to take.
Because of this I am not looking forward to my college time, and am generally pessimistic about the future.

Thank you very much for your attention, and for your help!
This forum has been really helpful, and I am thankful for that.

[B]08/08/2011 - UPDATE[/B]
I am on Minoxidil 2% (maybe change to 5?) for around 4 months now, applying twice a day, only missed about 5 applications in total. I've added new pictures.
I feel that I've had a little regrowth (small hairs) and at least not any progress (I think myself) so that's a good thing. In the future I am considering switching to 5%, and trying to put off finasteride for as long as possible (I am now 17 and a half). Is there anything else I can do at this point? Thank you very much!

 

[Defiance]

Re: Story of a desperate 16-year old.

Hard to say if you have male pattern baldness based on those photos. Maybe higher res could get a better analysis.

Based on your genes the outcome is not good, maybe try find out what age they started balding. Also that maternal grandmother thing is a myth. Can come from anywhere. Mine is exact same as my father.

I think the hairline looks pretty decent. But it looks abnormally thin on the lower left side (in a non male pattern baldness area) Maybe see a doctor.

The good thing for you if you are balding is you found this forum early. I started receding just before turning 18 and was in the dark about proper treatments till after i was 20. (which is when i jumped on finasteride and the rest)

If i was in your shoes considering your still a teen i would use Nizoral a couple times a week. Use topical spironolactone at crown and hairline at night and maybe take a supplement like this http://www.iherb.com/Country-Life-Maxi- ... /1714?at=0

Like i said its hard to see if you do have hairloss, the crown hair in alot of people naturally grows that way like in your pics.
Wouldn't touch finasteride till i was atleast 19-20. Iv'e heard some posters talk about how you can go to a derm and get some hair test to show the likelihood of whether or not you will get male pattern baldness or not. Could give you some peace of mind

 

[Megnus]

Re: Story of a desperate 16-year old.

I know it does not help, but my hairloss was worse than yours when I became 17 years old.

Now I have stabalized it with finasteride and minoxidil. I have just turned 20 years old. Don't know how long I have to wait for doctors to wanna do a transplant on me.

 

[NuckyThompson]

Re: Story of a desperate 16-year old.

Thank you both!

Megnus, when did you knew you had male pattern baldness, and when did you took action?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Michael84]

Also try to live a healthy way of life. Eat healthy food and take biotin vitamins. I mean that there are many traditional recipes for treating hair without starting heavy medications. This will be the best option for a 16 year old guy.

 

[NuckyThompson]

Today I went to my GP, and she advised me to try minoxidil.
So she ordered a 3 month supply.

Of course I agreed with her that I should not get on finasteride yet because of my age (17 now btw).

One thing I read a lot, is that the key to halting your balding process is taking action early: From that point of view, I have the time going for me, as opposed to people who discover their 'genetic problem' years later (although it is of course worrying that I get hit so hard already at 17)

So I am going to try minoxidil, do you guys have any specific tips or things to consider in relation to my age, or just general tips? I have read a lot and I think I know enough about minoxidil:

1. Shedding means it's working
2. Long term is the key


I hope it works!

Thank you!

 

[NuckyThompson]

4 MONTHS UPDATE


I've added new pictures.
I am on Minoxidil 2% now.

What do you guys think?

 

[tsiroutraw]

I think there is improvement for sure! On baseline pics your temples seemed to recede in a very unorthodox pattern, but 4 month pics look much better.

A little problem with you in my opinion is that you start minoxidil so early. It is rumoured that minoxidil loses its efficiency after some years. So starting it at 16 old doesnt leave you much room later on if male pattern baldness persists or gets more agressive.

I would suggest to regrowth as much as you want in first place, then maybe lower the dose just to maintain so you dont get used to minoxidil as fast as if you would have used it twice a day all the time.

Also, the less you use it the less impact it has on your health, sorry right now i am afraid of potential minoxidil sides after reading some reviews online. Myself i am using minoxidil 5% right now and having great success with no noticable sides, but reading some peoples reviews makes me reconsider the longterm "safeness" of minoxidil.

Check out my thread also viewtopic.php?f=28&t=67034

 

[hugeleap]

Looks a lot better than your baseline. I'm amazed what only 2% minoxidil can do. Pretty incredible but I guess considering your age you're in the perfect situation to achieve regrowth. Good luck dude.

 

[NuckyThompson]

UPDATE:



I am 18 years old now, edited the entire thread + uploaded new photo's.
Will start finasteride and will post going through the progress of starting finasteride at 18 years old.