Very paranoid about hairline

[infamousrodi]

Hello folks, I'm new to the forum and here is my storyI believe that my hairline has receded after my second course of accutane. I have visited two dermatologist's to examine my hair, one derm pointed out that my hair shows signs of pattern hairloss and told me to try out rogaine since she saw thinner hairs along my hairline. The other derm I visited prescribed me ketoconazole shampoo and diagnosed me with seborrheic dermatitis and says that the hairs will grow back. I don't know what to do at this point I'm only 19 and going insane. I have been applying rogaine for about 2 weeks now with little results. I'm also scared about propecia sides. I still believe my hairloss could be linked to my second course of acctuane I was on earlier this year. Btw what norwood stage would my hairline be considered at this point?

Any help is appreciated, Thanks!

 

[Digidako]

Honestly man, to me your hairline looks good; what really matters is what you think of it. If you feel that it's bad and causing some sort of distress in your life, I suppose you should take action. If you are truly worried about hair loss with regards to male pattern baldness, familiarize yourself with the science (genetics, mechanism(s) of action, treatments), then do what needs to be done. Let the minoxidil run its course, keep using the Nizoral shampoo and just be patient. Finasteride has been proven to work, and if the side effects deter you then c'est la vie. I'm 19 much like you are, noticed minor temple thinning and jumped on "The Big Three" as soon as I had the chance. Nothing has changed since last August when I first noticed, and I hope nothing changes next August. Obviously studies have shown the efficacy of Finasteride to decline after time, but for today it's doing what needs to be done. Sure tomorrow might deal me a different hand, but I assure you i'm going to play it as best as I can. Good luck and I wish you well.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

You look like you got a really thick mature hairline (Norwood 2), dude. I'd kill for what you got. Just keep an eye on it by taking pictures every few months and you should be fine going forward.

 

[infamousrodi]

Thanks for your reply, Digidako that really boosted my self esteem! What really bugs me the most is how at one of the derms' I went to believes that it's pattern hairloss even though others say my hair looks great. I don't know what to believe anymore. BTW the big three is nizoral, rogain and finasteride correct? So if I were to add finasteride to my regimen would that be considered as the "big three"? PS That's excellent to hear how you've been able to maintain your hair!

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Thanks for your reply, Cincinnati Kid. I have been told countless times on other forums that my hairline sits at a norwood 1 on the norwood scale, Idk if my hairloss has progressed more or since then or some type of confusion. Is it common to develop a mature hairline at 19 though? I am keeping track as to where my hairloss goes daily to monitor any change. Thanks again!

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

I think your temples might be a little bit too far back to be considered a full Norwood 1, but honestly who gives a rip so long as you're not "balding"...which a mature hairline is not. A mature hairline, according to most specialists in the field, is normally developed somewhere between the ages of 16-29. It's very possible that once the mature hairline develops, it will be the only hair loss you'll experience in your life. But like I said, to be on the safe side, document it with photos. That could be worth its weight in gold if it saves you from needing a hair transplant.

 

[infamousrodi]

Interesting, though I do feel like my hairline looked more fuller in the corners before I started applying rogaine 2x a day, could there be a link? I feel like it's making my hairline worse!!!!! But good to know that my hairline isn't considered balding.... yet

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

Well, I believe on the minoxidil can/bottle it says "do not use if you're not suffering from male pattern baldness" or something along those lines. Minoxidil causes hair to shed sometimes, and it makes it worse for a while before healthier hair grows back. DHT comes at your follicles like an army charging a stronghold. Minoxidil is kinda like an M-4 rifle. It's nice to have, and you might be able to hold off those guys charging at you, but you'll lose out sooner rather than later. Finasteride is like calling in an AC-130 for air support. You'll be holding that army off for a lot longer with that in the air haha.

 

[hellouser]

Well, I believe on the minoxidil can/bottle it says "do not use if you're not suffering from male pattern baldness" or something along those lines. Minoxidil causes hair to shed sometimes, and it makes it worse for a while before healthier hair grows back. DHT comes at your follicles like an army charging a stronghold. Minoxidil is kinda like an M-4 rifle. It's nice to have, and you might be able to take hold off those guys charging at you, but you'll lose out sooner rather than later. Finasteride is like calling in an AC-130 for air support. You'll be holding that army off for a lot longer with that in the air haha.

It also sends a nice shot of erectile dysfunction at the end.

Good luck with that.

 

[infamousrodi]

Dang, Iv'e also read that people who use rogaine on the front have very minimal and rare results of growth. Nontheless, so your saying the hair on my hairline that has shedded significantly since applied will regrow? What happens if i quit it, I'm too scared to quit it at this point, the shedding i see daily is horrendous... And great analogy on how minoxidil and rogaine work lol.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

It also sends a nice shot of erectile dysfunction at the end.

Good luck with that.

I always love your positivity, hellouser.

 

[Vlatch]

You're not balding.

If you start the big 3 now, in ten years you're going to think "Great, I've maintained because of it", when in fact you would have maintained anyway because you're not balding.

30% men show signs of hair loss by the age of thirty, and you may think you're one of them. You know what qualifies as a sign of hair loss ? A terminal hair to vellus hair ratio inferior to 4:1, which is certainly not your case, and won't be for a very long time.

If every young adult with minor temple recession like you was using the big 3, 90% of them would use it, because nearly no one keeps their juvenile hairline after the age of 20.

Take the same pictures every year, and IF you recede past this mature hairline, then jump on the big 3, but you won't, just live your life.


Edit : well use nizoral if you were diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis

 

[xRedStaRx]

Very thick hair, temples receding.

I think you'll maintain for at least a couple of years more. Come back when there is general thinness on the front.

 

[infamousrodi]

Bump for more opinions/suggestions?

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You're not balding.

If you start the big 3 now, in ten years you're going to think "Great, I've maintained because of it", when in fact you would have maintained anyway because you're not balding.

30% men show signs of hair loss by the age of thirty, and you may think you're one of them. You know what qualifies as a sign of hair loss ? A terminal hair to vellus hair ratio inferior to 4:1, which is certainly not your case, and won't be for a very long time.

If every young adult with minor temple recession like you was using the big 3, 90% of them would use it, because nearly no one keeps their juvenile hairline after the age of 20.

Take the same pictures every year, and IF you recede past this mature hairline, then jump on the big 3, but you won't, just live your life.


Edit : well use nizoral if you were diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis

Thanks for your reply. Well that's good to hear, I hope my hairline stays at this point like you've mentioned. I do tend to shed a lot of hair since my 5th month of accutane though, I've heard about how accutane messes up ones hair shed cycle? Any ideas about this? BTW I do use keto shampoo prescribed to me by the derm does this help???

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[Vlatch]

I don't know much about Accutane, only that hair loss is on the list of common side effects of the drug =\
However it should only be temporary, though some people think (random guys, no actual studies) it can trigger male pattern baldness earlier if you're supposed to have it.

There are several studies proving that topical ketoconazole is effective against hair loss, though it tends to dry the skin like Accutane (the size of sebaceous glands of patients using ketoconazole shampoo 2-4 times a week for 6 months decreased by 20% on average), which is good against seborrheic dermatitis, but not really if you already have very dry skin with Accutane.

You should notice a decrease in shedding when you finish your treatment with Accutane, and if you don't and your hair gradually becomes worse, come back here !

But even if it gets worse you still have plenty of time.

 

[infamousrodi]

I don't know much about Accutane, only that hair loss is on the list of common side effects of the drug =\
However it should only be temporary, though some people think (random guys, no actual studies) it can trigger male pattern baldness earlier if you're supposed to have it.

There are several studies proving that topical ketoconazole is effective against hair loss, though it tends to dry the skin like Accutane (the size of sebaceous glands of patients using ketoconazole shampoo 2-4 times a week for 6 months decreased by 20% on average), which is good against seborrheic dermatitis, but not really if you already have very dry skin with Accutane.

You should notice a decrease in shedding when you finish your treatment with Accutane, and if you don't and your hair gradually becomes worse, come back here !

But even if it gets worse you still have plenty of time.

Yes It's been 7 months since my second round of accutane and my hair has grown in thicker but it just doesn't feel/look the same before the treatment, especially in the front. My skin looks great now but my hair is another whole mess. I've heard it takes some people years for their hair to repair itself. Keto or no keto shampoo my hair is really oily after accutane which is odd so the dryness doesn't really bother me. I do like how it gives the appearance of thicker hair though

 

[hellouser]

I always love your realism, hellouser.

Fixed.

 

[infamousrodi]

bump

 

[JimmyJones]

Keep washing your hair with nizoral as there's no reason not to use it. Like others have said keep taking pictures and see if things get worse. Make sure you take the pictures in the same light and same angle. You usually know yourself when something isn't right and you will notice if things get worse before other people. In my opinion I wouldn't use min or finasteride yet. However if you judge things are getting worse then go on finasteride OR min first, wait three months, check if there are no side effects then jump on the other one. It's important to always try one drug at a time in my opinion and experience.

 

[infamousrodi]

Keep washing your hair with nizoral as there's no reason not to use it. Like others have said keep taking pictures and see if things get worse. Make sure you take the pictures in the same light and same angle. You usually know yourself when something isn't right and you will notice if things get worse before other people. In my opinion I wouldn't use min or finasteride yet. However if you judge things are getting worse then go on finasteride OR min first, wait three months, check if there are no side effects then jump on the other one. It's important to always try one drug at a time in my opinion and experience.

so your saying I should quit finasteride even though my derm suggested to do so? I do think dermatologists can be misleading. *shrug* But that is exactly what im doing im monitoring as much as i can and its driving me f****ing insane. :crazy:

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Also.. Will the hairs on my hairline rogaine shed come back if i quit using it?

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bump

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BUMP

 

[JimmyJones]

so your saying I should quit finasteride even though my derm suggested to do so? I do think dermatologists can be misleading. *shrug* But that is exactly what im doing im monitoring as much as i can and its driving me f****ing insane. :crazy:

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Also.. Will the hairs on my hairline rogaine shed come back if i quit using it?

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bump

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BUMP

Not many on this forum will disagree with me that dermatologists don't care about hair loss. Like others have said you may not be balding so you shouldn't be messing around with your hormones if you don't need to. Be certain that you are losing your hair first before going on finasteride.
Generally speaking any hair you gain from using rogaine means you have to keep using it indefinantly but herein lies the problem I mentioned - you should only go on one drug at a time to see what is working and what (if any) side effects you get. So
1. Ask yourself are you balding? If yes then go on finasteride.
2. After 3 months if you have no side effects go on minoxidil. Simples.