Advice Seeking Noob - Can Upload Photos!

[Y3K]

Hello!

I am not sure if this thread belongs here as it overlaps with most of the topics but I suppose the treatment is the primary part so here it is!

I started first losing my hair on the crown and that is now more or less gone but I do not care too much about the crown as most people don't see it. I am concerned more about the hair I am losing on top and towards the front of my hair (not the "tuft" at the front though). I would say I am a type III vertex but will become a type IV at some point in the next 12-18 months and I think I will finish up as a type V A. I am white, male and in my 30s. My hair looks alright at normal length and dry, as it is really thick, but when it is wet, I can see in the mirror there is really not that much of it on top so I think if I cut my hair very short I would be fine at the sides but the difference on top would be very noticable.

I have been debating getting FUE. However, before I make the leap I wanted to use minoxidil for a good 12-18 months to see if it helps prevent me losing more hair. If it did help, I would then get the surgery. If it did not help then I wouldn't bother as I would continue to recede even after the FUE and I would then have unnatural looking "clumps" of hair all over my scalp. I have ruled out complerely the tablet finasteride. as it 1) causes erectile dysfuncion and 2) has been linked with possible increases in prostate cancer probability.

However, on this forum I have seen that there are actually also some pretty bad side effects from minoxidil which include aging more rapidly (wrinkles, black eyes reduced elasticity in the skin). I therefore have a few questions about this as I have only recently started to look into it more.

1) Is 2% twice a day enough or does it have to be 5%?
2) How common are the side effects? The amount of celebrities that have had hair transplants is amazing. They (mostly) rely on their looks for a living so the side effects can't be that common. Am I just trying to convince myself or is this a reasonable assertion? I really feel bad about losing my hair but I don't think I want to sacrifice my long term health over it
3) Are there any alternatives to finasteride and minoxidil?
4) Has anybody used Alpecin? Was it successful or useful? Is it a viable alternative?
5) Has anybody tried to fight nature and then given up and just shaved their head anyway? How was it? To be honest, for me, the time would have been a few months ago (or even 1-2 years ago so I could see the process happening gradually rather than it being an extreme of one to the other) but I have just started a new job and it will be weird to go to work and all of a sudden have very short/no hair.

Thanks in advance

Y3K

 

[proactive]

I would say if your not going to take finasteride or dutasteride to inhibit the DHT within your system, your fighting a losing battle. The chances of you getting any lasting long term side effects from finasteride is very very low. If you get a hair transplant the doctor may ask you to go on finasteride or dutasteride. I don't want to be negative but I would not bother with minoxidil only if you are a norwood 3-4 already, at this point the BIG 3 (finasteride, minoxidil, and nirzol) is your best option. Do more research look around, the people who are getting these terrible side effects with minoxidil can never seem to post any before and after photos. They are simply anecdotal reports that must be taken with a grain off salt. I have been talking minoxidil for 5-6 months now, do my eyes look a little baggy at times maybe..... but not the **** show I see other people talking about

 

[Hairloss23]

If I recall finasteride actually lowers the risk of Prostate cancer but makes it harder to detect if it does occur, meaning it can end up going longer untreated in patients who use it. Just make sure to be vigilant and get regular check-ups if you're of that age where it can be likely.

 

[Funkymonk1]

I tried alpecin and didn't feel like it did anything for my hair loss. It can make your hair look thicker right after you use it but it's just giving a short term illusion of thicker hair, in the long term it won't do anything to stop hair loss. nizoral is the only clinically proven shampoo to combat hair loss but a lot of people aren't even convinced by this.

 

[Y3K]

But surely, if I use minoxidil and then get a hair transplant, the minoxidil will just stop anymore hair falling out and the transplant will just fill in the bits that already have? Is minoxidil not reliable mid-long term? I have read good things about it and a friend of mine has been using it to good effect for about 12-18 months now.

Your thoughts and experiences are welcome!