Hi All. I've beeing losing my hair since about the age of 22. About 3.5 years ago I started on the big 3 (minoxidil, propecia, nizoral 1%). Before that, I had been using minoxidil for about a year and a half. I'm now 31, between a Norwood 3 and 4 and my hairloss has slowly but surely continued. I'm just not seeing improvement. At best, the big 3 has slowed the process down a bit but I dread every haircut out of fear of seeing how much more hair has been lost. To make thing worse, I have curly, kinky hair which seems to make every thing look even worse. When it's wet and I comb it, it looks 60% better but once it dries, man look out. I've considered buzzing my head but my wife hates that look. When I catch a glimps at my crown (the worst part in terms of loss) I look like a 50 year old man. I'm thinking of what I'm going to look like at 40, 50. I don't like the prospect but I'm not sure what I should do next. I'm going to continue the big 3 in hopes that it at least slows the progress. Is anyone in my boat? I never talk about this with anyone, not even my wife so if anyone has anything to share at all I'd sure appreciate it. Whenever I think about my hairloss, I get really down, even though I have a very good life (wife, son, good jobs, nice house). I just look around sometimes and wish I didn't have this problem (very selfish I know)Thanks everyone.
Big 3 - Is it working at all?
- Thread starter taveeta
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G
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taveeta,
You said that when your hair is wet it looks about 60% better than when it dries? If that's the case why aren't you using some kind of thickening gel in your hair when it is still wet so it will keep that look?!
What type of minoxidil, and what dosage of propecia are you using? You might want to switch your minoxidil over to Spectral DNC which has other hair loss fighting ingredients in it besides just minoxidil. If you're doing the stand 1mg of propecia every day perhaps you would be a good responder to dutasteride.
Have you considered adding in other treatments as well such as topical spironolactone, Retin-A, EMU Oil, or even Saw Palmetto?
There is also the Revita shampoo to replace your Nizoral once that comes in another month or whenever it does. It sounds like you have some choices still to experience some regrowth, or at least in styling your hair to keep the wetter/better look!
You said that when your hair is wet it looks about 60% better than when it dries? If that's the case why aren't you using some kind of thickening gel in your hair when it is still wet so it will keep that look?!
What type of minoxidil, and what dosage of propecia are you using? You might want to switch your minoxidil over to Spectral DNC which has other hair loss fighting ingredients in it besides just minoxidil. If you're doing the stand 1mg of propecia every day perhaps you would be a good responder to dutasteride.
Have you considered adding in other treatments as well such as topical spironolactone, Retin-A, EMU Oil, or even Saw Palmetto?
There is also the Revita shampoo to replace your Nizoral once that comes in another month or whenever it does. It sounds like you have some choices still to experience some regrowth, or at least in styling your hair to keep the wetter/better look!
Thanks for the reply. I haven't used any gels really. Can you recommened something? I've never heard of Spectral DNC. Is this something new? Is it FDA approved? I'll have to research those other treatments you mentioned. Thus far, I've simply been sticking to the ones that are FDA approved - I'm the cautious kind I'm afraid.
G
Guest
Guest
taveeta,
Here is the link where you can read about Spectral DNC: http://www.divineskin.com/spectralDNC/default.asp
It's main ingredient is minoxidil which is of course FDA approved. I don't want to have your thread digress off-topic about the FDA but just do some research about the FDA approval process, and the FDA in general. I used to think the same as you did until I learned a bit more about it. There is absolutely NOTHING to be concerned or afraid about though with Spectral DNC, especially if you've already been using minoxidil.
Do a froogle.com search for Spectral DNC. The cheapest one vendor after shipping costs is gong to be from Orbit US Superstore
As far as the gel, well recently I picked up a bottle of Giovanni brand "More Body, Hair Thickener" gel. It is better than regular ones as far as thickening goes but I prefer the dry look so I'm sticking with Crew Fiber for now. I bought this from a local organic grocery store. A Whole Foods or Wild Oats should have a good supply of any type of thickening hair gel.
Here is the link where you can read about Spectral DNC: http://www.divineskin.com/spectralDNC/default.asp
It's main ingredient is minoxidil which is of course FDA approved. I don't want to have your thread digress off-topic about the FDA but just do some research about the FDA approval process, and the FDA in general. I used to think the same as you did until I learned a bit more about it. There is absolutely NOTHING to be concerned or afraid about though with Spectral DNC, especially if you've already been using minoxidil.
Do a froogle.com search for Spectral DNC. The cheapest one vendor after shipping costs is gong to be from Orbit US Superstore
As far as the gel, well recently I picked up a bottle of Giovanni brand "More Body, Hair Thickener" gel. It is better than regular ones as far as thickening goes but I prefer the dry look so I'm sticking with Crew Fiber for now. I bought this from a local organic grocery store. A Whole Foods or Wild Oats should have a good supply of any type of thickening hair gel.
G
Guest
Guest
By the way, I notice you said you don't even talk to your wife about this?
I think you should. Can she care less either way if you're cued on top or have a full thick head of hair? My wife thinks I'm crazy for doing all of this stuff and being on these boards and the fact that she would love the same irregardless of my head certainly helped. I went through all the despair before as well but than came to the realization and acceptance that I could be NW7 but then figured I'd at least give something a shot to see if I can stop/reverse this. At this point it is kinda just fun and a hobby to see if it works. If it does it does, if it doesn't then I'll try other treatments, and if those don't work than they don't. Easier said than done certainly but if those of us who depress over our hair loss can overcome that then our quality of life will be better regardless of whether or not we have hair. Just my advice, take it for what it's worth.
I think you should. Can she care less either way if you're cued on top or have a full thick head of hair? My wife thinks I'm crazy for doing all of this stuff and being on these boards and the fact that she would love the same irregardless of my head certainly helped. I went through all the despair before as well but than came to the realization and acceptance that I could be NW7 but then figured I'd at least give something a shot to see if I can stop/reverse this. At this point it is kinda just fun and a hobby to see if it works. If it does it does, if it doesn't then I'll try other treatments, and if those don't work than they don't. Easier said than done certainly but if those of us who depress over our hair loss can overcome that then our quality of life will be better regardless of whether or not we have hair. Just my advice, take it for what it's worth.
Thanks for that. I'll take a look at those options and see if it helps. I also appreciate your advice regarding talking about it. I guess it's a senstitive subject for me and I tend to avoid talking about things that really bother me (although I'm a great listener oddly enough). If I may ask, how far along are you in your hairloss. Any luck recovering? What is your regime?
G
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Guest
put your mouse over the "view my regimen" button at the bottom of one of my posts. I'm a diffuse thinner and it is somewhat unpatterned but I guess you could say it's thinning into about a NW3.5V pattern. For the most part it just looks thinner in certain areas than others but styling can help hide that too.
klink
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I'm 39 and my wife thinks that I'm over the top with the products but in a supportive humorous way.
I'm happy to have my hair looking better, thicker, and to be getting some regrowth. I was looking like Matt Lauer at one point, wait til you see my new pics in a couple of weeks.
I'm happy to have my hair looking better, thicker, and to be getting some regrowth. I was looking like Matt Lauer at one point, wait til you see my new pics in a couple of weeks.