19 y/o in the very early stages of male pattern baldness- Smart to go on finasteride?

[The Rake]

Backstory: I'm 19 years old and I noticed as early as the summer that my hair was starting to thin a little bit in the front with my temples slightly receding. I've always been paranoid about baldness because my grandfather on my mom's side is bald and my maternal uncle recently started balding/receding a bit (although he's in his 30's). I asked my parents and a few friends but they all chalked it up to paranoia. Sure enough, my hair started to thin a little worse in the fall and I scheduled a visit with a dermatologist. She diagnosed it as male pattern baldness right away and also prescribed me Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff which she said would help. She also suggested using Rogaine foam on front and crown. She didn't mention finasteride or propecia.

Here's 2 pictures where you won't notice any thinning, but you can see early recession in the temples:
http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=receding1wy2.png
http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=receding2qk1.png

So, I've been using Rogaine for the past 2 weeks along with the dandruff shampoo and recently ordered Revivogen Shampoo/Conditioner (out of a panicky impulse). Haven't seen (and didn't expect) any improvement yet, but I still would like to do everything I can to stop this progression and perhaps even thicken up in the front. It doesn't help that I've had long hair all my life so this is an especially traumatic experience and it's why I'm so adamant about stopping it as early as possible. But as you can see, right now it's in the very early stages. I still have a full head of hair and my thinning is really only noticeable in a bright light, otherwise you have to pay attention to the hairline to see it. But I also have red hair so I'm already starting out with 10% less hair than most. Would it be wise add generic finasteride to my regimen in an effort to fight this head on as early as I can? I've been reading up on it a lot here(as well as other treatments), but it seems that creating any effective regimen depends on a case by case basis. Any helpful advice would be great.

 

[Epiphany]

Hi there,

Personally I would get on finasteride and Nizoral (Ketoconazole 2%). Forget about Rogaine for now.

Bear in mind that, as you're 19, you're most likely going to have natural changes to your hairline anyway. This is known as the "mature hairline" and 99% of guys go through this (and often get worried it's male pattern baldness prematurely, which it isn't). However, if you got professional opinion, then I would be inclined to trust their diagnosis.

finasteride and nizoral are great to stabalise any potential loss if you're concerned, and easy to apply/take.

So, in summary:

1mg finasteride per day (I get Finpecia from United Pharmacies)
Shampoo with nizoral once every 3 days

Good luck and don't panic! You're making steps to rectify it early and that's the main thing.

 

[The Rake]

Any particular reason to get off the rogaine? I know that it's mainly a growth stimulant, but doesn't it also help stabilizing the hair loss? And thanks for the tip on the site for finasteride, I think I'm gonna order a month's worth just to test it and make sure I don't get any serious/irritable side effects. Also, a question about the nizoral shampoo I should have asked in my first post: Should I use it alone 3 or so days a week and use the Revivogen combo the other 4, or can I use Revivogen every day in conjuction with the nizoral days?

 

[Ian Curtis]

Yep, go for it. I started taking finasteride at 18.5, thats not a mature hairline...its already balding. Maturing of the hairline doesnt occur at 19, its earlier.

 

[Cassin]

See a doctor and ask.

 

[Fundi]

Yep, go for it. I started taking finasteride at 18.5, thats not a mature hairline...its already balding. Maturing of the hairline doesnt occur at 19, its earlier.

How can you possibly distunguish between balding and a maturing hairline from that pic? Anyway assuming he is, the latter is wrong also, lots of people's hairlines mature a lot later than 19 and never go bald.

 

[Epiphany]

Any particular reason to get off the rogaine?

You might not even need it. Save the money for now. Measure your progress with finasteride and nizoral first.

It's a rather simplistic way at looking at it, but generally speaking, finasteride is for stabilising hairloss and minoxidil is for stimulating growth, however nizoral has also been proven to stimulate hair growth, so may as well start with the cheapest and least hassle to administer.

One of the reasons I've stayed clear of rogaine is that it's awkward to use every morning and evening, knowing that you'll need to keep doing that to maintain any growth you get. finasteride is less of a hassle to maintain, but that's just me.

In regards to your Q about nizoral, yes use it 3 days alone and the other days use your regular shampoo (I use a thickening shampoo).

 

[Ian Curtis]

Yep, go for it. I started taking finasteride at 18.5, thats not a mature hairline...its already balding. Maturing of the hairline doesnt occur at 19, its earlier.

How can you possibly distunguish between balding and a maturing hairline from that pic? Anyway assuming he is, the latter is wrong also, lots of people's hairlines mature a lot later than 19 and never go bald.

Alright...Im not pushing anyone into treatments. I also thought my hairline was maturing when I was 18...a few months later I was thinking "Oh sh*t, Im balding".