Advice needed! Temple recession

[maroon]

Hey. I'm 20 years old and need some advice... This seems the best place

Basically I have always had very thick hair, usually so thick it has annoyed me more than anything else...

However when i was 17/18 my hair was... perfect Still very thick but looked great in a spiked/messy kind of look with only middle-length cut. No complaints. Even got compliments about it.

My hair loss has occured very slowly and gradually the past two years I think... At the moment it is only at the temples (near the top of the sides.. maybe a cm or two)... I see lots of very very fine hairs where my hair USED to be... Again we are not talking a lot but enough to make it noticable, but not a lot more is required before other people would notice easily as my hairline at the front is taking a much more "curved" shape when I drag my hair back. My hair also seems thinner at the front (i.e. wider space between each strand).

It's more diffcult to style it how I want it now, and that must be a definate sign. The tiny fine hairs are just there, and there is nothing I can do with them. Only visible close to a lightsource. It's looking like male pattern baldness to me.

I'm just not sure what to do.... Do I start any special shampoo or whatever? Or should I just let nature do its thing? I'm not keen on starting proper drugs that have side effects as I'm only 20, but it's something I would consider if it would save my hair (which is blonde if that makes any difference).

As a side note... I'm aware of the fact that one's hairline tends to "mature" which is not relevant to balding... But how do I know for sure? Ive gathered the earlier you try to catch it, the greater are the odds for success... At a rough estimate I'm probably at 1.5N, but its hard to tell with different headshapes etc.

Much appreciate any input & advice...

 

[Justlooking]

nizoral, minoxidil, and propecia are the three best bets. If I were you I'd start with some nizoral 1% and consult a doctor to see if propecia would be a good bet. Otherwise some minoxodil 2 or 5% could be helpful.

 

[maroon]

Thanks for your reply.

Heh, my doctor is bald :shock: :freaked2:

Also I don't tend to have a lot of confidence in doctor's, but I guess I have nothing to lose by going. I just feel a bit silly as the hairloss is nothing serious right now... I'm just thinking forwards in time.

 

[Britannia]

Hi. Theres little point in seeing a Doctor. They tend to show little interest in male pattern baldness, and have suprisingly little knowledge on the matter. I wouldnt suggest Minoxidil at the moment, if you still have lots of thick hair left on your head.
Propecia would certainely be the best bet for you. Propecia is actucally most effective at maintaining hair when used in the early stages of male pattern baldness like yourself. Nizoral shampoo 2% strength would be an absolute must, its easy to use (its just a shampoo!) and has many benefits in male pattern baldness.
If you really dont want to start taking Propecia (which is perfectly understandable), why not try using Nizoral shampoo together with say a copper peptide treatment such as Tricomin or American Crew Revitalise, which come in the form of a shampoo and spray. Very easy to use and are proven to help hair loss. Then in the future if your male pattern baldness continued, you could re-consider Propecia. But Minoxidil I think would not be your best choice at the moment. Good luck!

 

[Justlooking]

Hi. Theres little point in seeing a Doctor. They tend to show little interest in male pattern baldness, and have suprisingly little knowledge on the matter. I wouldnt suggest Minoxidil at the moment, if you still have lots of thick hair left on your head.
Propecia would certainely be the best bet for you. Propecia is actucally most effective at maintaining hair when used in the early stages of male pattern baldness like yourself. Nizoral shampoo 2% strength would be an absolute must, its easy to use (its just a shampoo!) and has many benefits in male pattern baldness.
If you really dont want to start taking Propecia (which is perfectly understandable), why not try using Nizoral shampoo together with say a copper peptide treatment such as Tricomin or American Crew Revitalise, which come in the form of a shampoo and spray. Very easy to use and are proven to help hair loss. Then in the future if your male pattern baldness continued, you could re-consider Propecia. But Minoxidil I think would not be your best choice at the moment. Good luck!

Well he'll need to see a doctor to get Propecia and 2% nizoral, and its never a bad idea to go and at least discuss things with him/her. You can start with 1% nizoral from your local drugstore though. I agree though, they are typically not as informed as most would like. I used to get my perscripton from a dermatologist who seemed to know a lot more about hairloss. I guess a lot depends on what you want to do and how much you're willing to spend/do(IE do you want to avoid pills or dont like topical stuff, ect)

 

[Britannia]

Well he'll need to see a doctor to get Propecia and 2% nizoral,

If hes from the UK then 2% Nizoral is available OTC. Its like that in most European conutries. Propecia is available without prescription from many online pharmacies.

 

[maroon]

Thanks a lot for your responses, much appreciated

I'm going to get some of this nizoral stuff... And yep im in UK.
I may consider going to the doctor if it gets worse.

But as this hairloss is occuring relatively slowly its going to be very hard to know if its actually making any difference...

I'm trying to be happy about all the thick hair I've got at the moment and not worry about it... But I tend to worry about it quite a lot anyway, as I'm only 20 and I'm already seeing very strong signs.

I am considering getting my hair cut very short... Is this a bad idea? Can I risk some of the hair not regrowing at all?

 

[maroon]

An update...

As I tend to do :roll: - I have just left it. No nizoral or anything since my post. Maybe I thought this is something that would fix itself. Call it denial perhaps.

I am quite sure the temple recession has progressed for the worse and I am now certain I'm going to take some sort of action.

I'm considering propecia as this seems to have the best scientific backing by far, but I've heard stories about propercia NOT helping temple recession or even making it WORSE in the frontal area. Is this true? What should I do? I want to at least KEEP my temples the way they are now.

I'm having a bit of a dilemma here as my sex life has recently taken off like a rocket (awesome), and I'd hate it for my :devil: to go floppy if you know what I mean. :shock: On the other hand, my hair frames my face and I wouldn't have to lose much before i'd have to buzz it all short...

Nizoral is a definate, but what else should I throw in? Things to put in my hair would be really unpractical as my girlfriend makes me go shower after every time :hairy: . Also sounds like a lot of hassle.

Finally - is there a good UK online store where I can get hold of the goods for a reasonable price?

Recap of my current hair state: Uneven recession at temples, Norwood 1.5-2 perhaps?

Cheers guys, places like this must help so many people.

Edit: I forgot to add. Hairloss is on my mind quite heavily sometimes, especially nights like tonight where i'm still up at half 3 in the morning because I can't sleep. Is there any way for me to forget about it?

 

[maroon]

Oh and I forgot; Thanks for your previous replies all.

Especially Britannia's was useful.

 

[DanHLT]

Hmm... I thought minoxidil was good for the temples and hairline? It's safer than using propecia too. Isn't propecia more recommended when you're balding at the top?

 

[maroon]

Hmm... I thought minoxidil was good for the temples and hairline? It's safer than using propecia too. Isn't propecia more recommended when you're balding at the top?

Yeah. That's what I kind of gathered from what I've read so far. minoxidil has to be applied twice a day right? Morning and evening? Would it be possible to maybe miss two days a week? Or does it have to be EVERY day?

Also I'm going to get Nizoral shampoo... But will it actually do ANYTHING on it's own in terms of halting temple recession?

Cheers guys,

 

[Aplunk1]

There's probably no harm in missing 2 days a week, so long as you keep up the twice daily applications on the other days.

Nizoral is unlikely to do anything on its own. It works best in a regimen.

 

[DanHLT]

Yeah. That's what I kind of gathered from what I've read so far. minoxidil has to be applied twice a day right? Morning and evening? Would it be possible to maybe miss two days a week? Or does it have to be EVERY day?

Also I'm going to get Nizoral shampoo... But will it actually do ANYTHING on it's own in terms of halting temple recession?

Cheers guys,

I started using just Nizoral 2% last month, and i have noticed a bit of thickening of the strands the past couple of days, even though my hair is thick to start off with. No new hair growth though. I would recommend it. Use it every 3 days only... I noticed my hair got very dry when I used it every 2 days. I don't think nizoral alone will give you regrowth (unless you have major scalp issues) but people have said it may slow your hair loss.

When I get my 5% Minoxidil I'll only use it at night and see how it goes. I figure its potency is enough for a small guy like me. Normally you need to use use it twice a day, EVERY DAY (esp. for 2% minoxidil) for results to actually appear. Because if you only use it sporadically, how it is it going to give the strength to your follicles?

 

[maroon]

Just a link as an example of what puts me off propecia: http://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/discussions ... hp?t=24496

That and you-know-what not functioning as-it-should.

My problem is currently at the temple areas. Take it propercia is out of the question? What exactly are my alternatives?.

So far my future regimen consists of:
1. Nizoral shampoo.

Please help me construct the rest.

Oh... And "regimen" is such a silly word

 

[maroon]

Yeah. That's what I kind of gathered from what I've read so far. minoxidil has to be applied twice a day right? Morning and evening? Would it be possible to maybe miss two days a week? Or does it have to be EVERY day?

Also I'm going to get Nizoral shampoo... But will it actually do ANYTHING on it's own in terms of halting temple recession?

Cheers guys,

I started using just Nizoral 2% last month, and i have noticed a bit of thickening of the strands the past couple of days, even though my hair is thick to start off with. No new hair growth though. I would recommend it. Use it every 3 days only... I noticed my hair got very dry when I used it every 2 days. I don't think nizoral alone will give you regrowth (unless you have major scalp issues) but people have said it may slow your hair loss.

When I get my 5% Minoxidil I'll only use it at night and see how it goes. I figure its potency is enough for a small guy like me. Normally you need to use use it twice a day, EVERY DAY (esp. for 2% minoxidil) for results to actually appear. Because if you only use it sporadically, how it is it going to give the strength to your follicles?

Hmm maybe I should go the 5% minoxidil route too - but is it true that it's effects will only last for ~48 months and then you go back to square 1 ?
It's not looking too good for us temple receders is it

 

[Aplunk1]

It's been studied that you get regrowth for 48 weeks (it only took this long for FDA approval). It hasn't been studied past that. Dr. Lee says you get regrowth for about 2-3 years, then you maintain those regrown hairs by continuous use of minoxidil.

 

[DanHLT]

Hmm maybe I should go the 5% minoxidil route too - but is it true that it's effects will only last for ~48 months and then you go back to square 1 ?
It's not looking too good for us temple receders is it

Well, I'll likely use minoxidil alone for the next 3 years.. People here have said it only worked for them for about 3-4 years.

minoxidil is not doing anything to get rid of the DHT (that's propecia's job); it's only stimulating the follicles... As the DHT problem worsens with age, minoxidil's effect decreases.

I am using minoxidil as my training wheels until I get on Propecia ;-) But for the moment, my only concern is my temple loss (been like this for several years) and the thinning at my hairline.. which I hope minoxidil will take care of for the next few years.

 

[maroon]

It's been studied that you get regrowth for 48 weeks (it only took this long for FDA approval). It hasn't been studied past that. Dr. Lee says you get regrowth for about 2-3 years, then you maintain those regrown hairs by continuous use of minoxidil.

Thank you for clearing this up. Much appreciated.

I don't suppose you could provide a link from a reliable source just to top it off? Not that I don't trust you or don't appreciate your help - I just need to make sure of this; as starting something like this is quite a huge decision as it will affect my lifestyle for the rest of my life.

Actually that's quite rude & lazy. I'll look for the proof myself, that way you don't have to start digging around for web pages just to find it FOR me.

I take it we have 1 vote for minoxidil? Any other takers?

 

[maroon]

Hmm maybe I should go the 5% minoxidil route too - but is it true that it's effects will only last for ~48 months and then you go back to square 1 ?
It's not looking too good for us temple receders is it

Well, I'll likely use minoxidil alone for the next 3 years.. People here have said it only worked for them for about 3-4 years.

minoxidil is not doing anything to get rid of the DHT (that's propecia's job); it's only stimulating the follicles... As the DHT problem worsens with age, minoxidil's effect decreases.

I am using minoxidil as my training wheels until I get on Propecia ;-) But for the moment, my only concern is my temple loss (been like this for several years) and the thinning at my hairline.. which I hope minoxidil will take care of for the next few years.

Quick question... Apologies if it is a really stupid question but I was never great at biology... As I'm losing most of my hair at the temples, this is where the DHT problem is strongest right? So why does propecia only stop the DHT at center of head and not DHT at temple areas?

Also, if I have significat negative DHT action going on at my temples, will minoxidil be a sufficiant "stimulant" ?

Argh a little confused now.

 

[DanHLT]

I just need to make sure of this; as starting something like this is quite a huge decision as it will affect my lifestyle for the rest of my life.

I agree, it does change your lifestyle.. but I don't think by much. My nightly routine used to only be brushing my teeth...

... but then it became: brush teeth, floss (14 years ago), take off contact lenses (12 years ago), use floss threaders for my bridge (11 years ago), wash face with Spectro Jel to prevent acne (2 years ago), apply minoxidil (soon).. ha ha ha

However, once something becomes a regular routine you just get used to it ...and it's no big deal at the end of the day (pun not intended)!