20 y/o bad shedding... help :S

[Hwarang]

Hi all,
I have been searching these forums for a while now trying to find out what the best treatment for me to undertake would be. As the title says, I'm a 20 y/o and have recently noticed alot of shedding, however I have been thinning for quite a few years (since I was about 15/16).

I have been reading alot, and it seems like most treatments only help those that have encountered vertex thinning, and not those who have a receding hairline. Although I am not sure exactly if I am getting a receding hairline or if it is just diffuse thinning across the entirety of the top of my scalp. My dad was in the same predicament when he was about 20/21 and now has only the "monks ring" left around his head. My grandfather (his father) has the same thing however I'm not sure when it started to happen for him.

During my initial research I found out about minoxodil treatments for hair loss, and decided that it might be a good idea seeing as how I wouldn't be injesting anything, and thought that maybe it would help as it would likely work faster because it is applied directly to the scalp.

After using the (5% minoxodil solutoin) product for about 2 weeks, I noticed worse shedding than before, and also noticed that it gave me an itchy and red scalp. I also found out that minoxodil is apparently only supposed to be used for vertex balding. I have since stopped taking it and am taking a mega B vitamin suppliment in the hopes that it will help me whilst I am waiting to see a dermatologist.

I am just wondering if there is any hope for me as it seems that the majority of people who have had treatments work for them are people with vertex thinning, and not those with a receding hairline/temple thinning, etc...

Any help is appreciated :wink:
Hwarang.

 

[Axon]

Shedding means nothing.

All of the treatments work on the hair line, but not as effecitvely as they work on the crown.

Redness and itching from Minoxidil is not uncommon. You may also be allergic to propene glycol. If you're paying Rogaine prices, you might as well get Dr. Lee's formulation, which leaves less residue and dries faster.

http://www.minoxidil.com

 

[Hwarang]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply Axon. Is it better to have shorter hair when using a Minoxidil solution ? As when I was using it, it seems to be very hard to contain the solution on the scalp at my hair length and it seems like alot of my hair ends up soaking up the solution.
I'm not paying Rogaine prices, I have a different product called Hair-A-Gain, approximately AU$90 for 4 months worth. Which isn't too bad if it is going to help.

Do you think I should keep using it... ??

 

[jumpedthegun]

I only had a receding hairline and the Doctor put me on propecia. i inquired about its effectiveness in my case, since the propecia website says it's not for that type of hair loss. but my Doctor said he doesn't notice that it works better anywhere in particular, since hairloss in all places is caused by the same thing. he also said that the side effects are so rare and minimal that he recommends it to almost all his patients complaining of hair loss. and that if i did get side effects, i could just stop.

i looks to me like my hairline is better, but since i didn't take pictures before i started it is hard to tell. you should be sure to TAKE PICTURES before you start anything because your mind can really play tricks on you. i really wish i had taken tons of photos before i started so i would have a better reference point.

one thing you should know though, is that although i wasn't really thinning on top, after three months on propecia i started to shed on top, which led to wonder if i had "jumped the gun" in starting a regimine that may have the possibility of doing more harm than good. but apparently, the sheds are temporary and are part of the process of getting worse before it gets better.

good luck

 

[zak84]

i can feel your pain being 21 and noticing thining/receding at 18 (hair transplant at 19), axon answered what you wanted to know but i can offer you this bit of psychological advice

accept hairloss as a part of your life, keep your goals realistic, shoot for not being completely bald at 25 instead of having a full head of hair at 22 =)

the biggest mistake ive made is trying to convince myself that i will one day see the kind of hairline and thickness i had when i was 16, its just not going to happen