21 and it's gradually going - HELP! (pics)

[Roy7]

Hey everyone, kinda new here, but went through the FAQ and feel ready to post. First off, I gotta say that the shedding scared me to death - I thought the propecia I just started 1 month ago was making me go bald.

Here's my story:
I'm a pretty high-stress individual (not that this has any relaitonship) - I'm currently in my second year of med school and have always been under considerable amount of pressure to keep my academic performance up to par. I'm in decent shape as I used to always exercise (before this year). I've always been on some sort of bodybuilding supplement (mostly creatine ethyl ester/monohydrate - some sort of protein, nothing hormonal). My maternal grandfather began balding at 50, and my maternal uncle is around 55 and still has a full head of hair. My father began losing his hair at around 40, and subsequently had hair transplantation when he was 55.

Anyways, around when I was 15-16 i started noticing that my hair began thinning. Nothing drastic, it just looked thinner. Didnt pay much attention and combed it differently.

Now, 5 years later, it's starting to look pretty damn thin.I just started 1 mg propecia in a vague effort to combat whatever I can. I used extra strength minoxidil for like a week a year ago, and all that really happened was it made my head itch like crazy and I got a slight rash (just assumed it was an allergic reaction).

Now I'll def try it again, but what suggestions do you guys have? While I'm poor, I dont want to be bald at 30, so any and all suggestions you have are super appreciated.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/21 ... 0335TWbyYF
Dont know if I've got a receding hairline or not....

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/25 ... 0335uOQMDc
Seems to be worse in the front

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/23 ... 0335SghNcp
From back looking forward.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/27 ... 0335JeHZpo
Crown area

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/28 ... 0335NvMkTJ
Crown.

Well that's that. Thanks again for any and all advice.

 

[GC]

Your hairline looks fine.

Your crown/top is rather questionable though.

I reccommend staying on the finasteride that you're currently using.

Get your hands on some Nizoral 2% and thickening shampoo/conditioner for your off days.

Try the minoxidil again and see how you go. Give it longer than a week and see if side effects subside. If not, You can always give Spectral DNC a shot. (also minoxidil 5% but with more additives)

I'm sure most guys on here would kill for hair like yours. So whilst I say you don't have all that much to worry about, it's good that you've started treatment relatively early.

All the best.

 

[JayB]

how are you in your second year of med school at the age of 21

 

[Roy7]

I dunno how it ended up happening some idiots just pushed me up a grade when I was in high school, then I finished college early and started med school at 19 (birthday in september).

If you dont believe me I'll pust out some handy second year med student facts only info that I've been spending the past 8 hrs studying (notice I posted at 4 am):
Taking step 1 June 19: Currently reviewing using Goljan rapid review pathology along w/First Aid; Current subject neuroanatomy going over mechanism behind MS and the way that CD4+ TH1 cells secrete INF-y and TNF-b to cause macropahge activation to kill myelin.
There - status proven - any 2nd year will understand my plight.

GC thanks for the advice - I'll check w/my doctor get a prescription for Nizoral (I think a prescription is required?) asap, now I hear a lot of people talking about the foam Rogaine - I did a search of the site - and no one really spoke w/the pruritis associated w/the foam version versus the liquid - I'll give it a try but if you know anything - any and all info is great.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Roy,

your hairline looks fine. Your hairloss looks like a Ludwig. The Ludwig type usually happens to women but sometimes also males can bald in that way (my father for instance). I don´t think you need the foam, go for Finasteride and you have a good chance that your hair problem is solved. Good Luck!

 

[Roy7]

What're some details of a ludwig? Anything in particular about it's response to therapy or treatmet?

Thanks again.

 

[WorldofWarcraft]

Your hairline is perfect. Your crown, while not looking bad, is making me nervous. Stick to your regimen.

 

[2guard]

Dude, I suggest you style your hair different. Get some wax, cut down your sides a bit, and push your together toward the middle so it sticks up like a mini mohawk. It should stick slightly forward, and you should look a lot better.

 

[Guest]

Dude, I suggest you style your hair different. Get some wax, cut down your sides a bit, and push your together toward the middle so it sticks up like a mini mohawk. It should stick slightly forward, and you should look a lot better.

i do this exact thing sometimes with wax but why should he cut down the sides first?

 

[Roy7]

Actually my hair was like that for as long as I can remember - I'm only letting it grow now until june (it's a bet/resolve) at which point I'm cutting it back down and doing something just like that (I cant stand having long hair).

I got minoxidil foam and the label says "for people balding in the crown" pretty specifically.

Now most of my thinning is at the front, is that an early indicator that it wont work for me?

Thanks agian.

 

[Guest]

Actually my hair was like that for as long as I can remember - I'm only letting it grow now until june (it's a bet/resolve) at which point I'm cutting it back down and doing something just like that (I cant stand having long hair).

I got minoxidil foam and the label says "for people balding in the crown" pretty specifically.

Now most of my thinning is at the front, is that an early indicator that it wont work for me?

Thanks agian.

no, they just say that because it was only tested on the crown. it works everywhere you have balding.

 

[Roy7]

I guess last question is that does anyone know if there are statistics regarding the allergic reaction to minoxidil? Actually - do people know if it's an allergic reaction to the compound itself or the alcohol that it's in?

If it's an allergic reaction, anyone knows if it just goes away? I dont think allergic sensitization works all that well - and even then it takes a loooong time.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Roy,

If you want to maintain your hair and get some improvement, stick to the finasteride for a year and then assess whether or not you are happy. If you aren't happy, add minoxidil. If you are happy, ride the finasteride for a couple of years then jump onto minoxidil as needed down the road.

I think this is your best bet.

 

[Roy7]

Well I allready bought the rogaine foam - so far it's great- but I'm really struggling geting it on my entire scalp.

So I'm currently using both - I've been reading articles about the effects of propecia no longer working after 12-13 years is rogain the same way?

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Cool, being on both, you will definately get some strong regrowth.