Bluenun's story

[bluenun]

Hi all,

I am 37 years old and always had a high hairline and fine hair but quite a bit of it. It is fairly fly away without using hair gel.
The last year or two I have noticed that my hair looks thinner on top and it has receded a little at the temples.

So far I have had no shedding and I don't find hairs on my pillow yet.
I wash my hair every 3 days and find about 20 hairs in the plug strainer afterwards. I think (but I don't know) that over the past couple of years my hair has been falling out faster than it used to and it is now starting to show.

I can see my scalp easier now than I used to after washing it and when the light shines on my head in the bathroom I can see my head in the mirror and I did not used to be able to.

My Father and his Father have/had thick dark hair with no balding but I don't take after them.
My mothers Father and brothers lost their hair in their forties.

So I want to start doing something about it now before it gets too advanced, I guess I am a 1a on the Norwood scale.

I am using Nizoral shampoo 1% and will use either Finasteride or Dutasteride.
I have mild acne on my face (sometimes clear, sometimes a couple of spots). Which do you think would be more suitable for me?

I know Dutasteride effects type 1 and 2 alpha reductase which could help the acne?

If it was not for the acne I would defininitely go for Finasteride.

I have posted a link to some pictures of my left and right temples and forehead.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bluenu ... .dir=/9d49

 

[GourmetStyleWellness]

Hi all,

Welcome to the forums. I apologize for the delay in replying.

So far I have had no shedding and I don't find hairs on my pillow yet.

Its possible for your hair to be miniaturizing without having a drastic traditional "shed". The process of hair loss is just normal hairs growing in thinner and less pigmented than their last growth cycle. Shedidng is usually identified by a mass exodus of hairs into resting phase (which does return!). Some guys don't have a mass dormancy. Some just miniaturize slowly.

I wash my hair every 3 days and find about 20 hairs in the plug strainer afterwards. I think (but I don't know) that over the past couple of years my hair has been falling out faster than it used to and it is now starting to show.

I don't think im ever going to get the purpose of washing hair only once in awhile. I was raised in a different culture however, so that may be the issue. Most people I know shower every day and wash their body and hair every day. This helps to keep sebum levels on the scalp down, as well as dirt and other irritants that can cause inflammation (no different than if you only wash your crotch once every 3 days. You're going to stink, be dirty, and its just... yuck). Id wash my hair once a day just for the reason that it will help keep the scalp clean and in good condition; a very important part of maintaining your hair.

I can see my scalp easier now than I used to after washing it and when the light shines on my head in the bathroom I can see my head in the mirror and I did not used to be able to.

Trust your judgment. If you're seeing more skin then you are probably right in your assumptions. You are most likely thinning.

My Father and his Father have/had thick dark hair with no balding but I don't take after them. My mothers Father and brothers lost their hair in their forties.

The second most significant factor is family history so you're right on with this as well. Looks like you're taking after your mothers relatives.

So I want to start doing something about it now before it gets too advanced, I guess I am a 1a on the Norwood scale.

Great idea. Now is the time.

I am using Nizoral shampoo 1% and will use either Finasteride or Dutasteride.

Definitely finasteride. Save dutasteride for another 7 years if Propecia stops working for you. By then we'll have a much better idea how well the stuff works, and how safe it is for younger guys to use. Right now we don't have that information on Dutasteride. Only on Propecia.

I have mild acne on my face (sometimes clear, sometimes a couple of spots). Which do you think would be more suitable for me?

Actually the Propecia very well may clear up your acne as a side effect. It tends to have a drying effect on the facial skin in the oily areas. But I recommend Propecia because of the safety data and effectiveness data available. It will work and you will see results if you ride out the preliminary shedding periods and stick with the Nizoral once every 3 days. Regular shampoo on the off days.

If it was not for the acne I would defininitely go for Finasteride.

Try it. Not only for your hair, but just because it only blocks one type does not mean it wont help the acne. Many guys report acne clearing up on Propecia.

Note: Acne may increase during the first month (as may other problems like shedding and libido fluctuations). These stop after a couple months so you must ride it out. After that your skin should go bone dry... or at least normalize and your acne should slowly fade away.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bluenun12000/album?.dir=/9d49

Take a ton of photos right now and live by them. Dont trust what you see in the mirror over the next 12 - 24 months. Live by the pictures. They will help you keep your perspective on if you're really getting worse or better. Your minds eye will constantly play tricks with you.

You seem to have lost some in the temple area. This may not grow back since it is slick skin now. The rest should remain as thick as it already looks with Propecia and Nizoral alone... for many years to come.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

gourmetstylewellness.com

 

[JesusFreak]

yeah, your hair and loss pattern looks similar to my own. You have several options at this point.

Best Option: finasteride, topical spironolactone 2% 1X/day, cu-peptides, nizoral, 5% minoxidil-just to hairline and troubled area

Second Option: finasteride, Cu-Peptides, nizoral, minoxidil

Third Option: Topical spironolactone, Cu-peptides, nizoral, minoxidil

I would try the first option first, until I found out that I could or could not tolerate the finasteride. The finasteride and spironolactone should be just as if not more potent than Dutasteride alone. Remember, there are other androgens, besides dht that can cause hair loss...the spironolactone is effective in protecting the follicle from these others.

The Only thing you might hold off on is teh minoxidil. But, I wouldnt skip the Cu-Peptides because of their proven elimination of inflammation, which is just as bad on follicle as DHT.

 

[bluenun]

Thanks for the replies and the welcome.

gourmetstylewellness.com,

I think you are right when you say it is possible my hair is miniaturising, growing thinner and less pigmented. I think this is true for the top of my scalp and the crown.

I used to wash my hair every day in the shower when I used to work outside as a Roofer.
Now I work from home I still shower every day but wash my hair every 3 days because my hair looks a lot worse, lank and thin when it has just been washed.
My scalp seems to be healthy, no inflammation or dandruff. My hair is not dry or greasy.

I will now start to wash my hair every 2 days with Nizoral 1% and then condition also.

Interesting to find out Propecia may actually improve my mild acne after an initial aggravation.

I will be taking more Photo's for the album.

Jesusfreak,

Would I need to apply the topical spironolactone 2% all over my scalp, even round the back and sides?

I need to look into Cu_Peptides as I have not heard of them before.

Both of your answers have been helpful to me as I now know I will not be taking Dutasteride, at least for the foreseeable future.

Based on what you both wrote,

Finasteride, spironolactone 2%, Nizoral, Cu-Peptides, looks like a good option but there is still the chance of side effects from the finasteride.

spironolactone 2%, Nizoral, Cu-Peptides, maybe a safer regimen for me to start with. I could try this for 12 months and re-assess. Finasteride would be my next option.

As for minoxidil, if I was going to use that it would just be applied to my temples where I have receded.

Opinions welcomed.

 

[bluenun]

Took more pictures today before and after washing my hair, it is actually a lot worse than I had thought.
Not looked at my head from those angles before.

Better get cracking with the Finasteride.

 

[GourmetStyleWellness]

yeah, your hair and loss pattern looks similar to my own. You have several options at this point.

Best Option: finasteride, topical spironolactone 2% 1X/day, cu-peptides, nizoral, 5% minoxidil-just to hairline and troubled area

Second Option: finasteride, Cu-Peptides, nizoral, minoxidil

Third Option: Topical spironolactone, Cu-peptides, nizoral, minoxidil

Fourth option, just Propecia and Nizoral. Works great for many people and there's no reason to go overkill when you are just trying to maintain.

gourmetstylewellness.com

 

[wastingpenguins]

As I still have oodles of hair left, I kind of wish now that I hadn't started minoxidil so hastily. 6 months in, though, and I guess i'm stuck with it. :lol:

It's not really so bad, though, and it actually kind of makes me feel better when I'm doing something that could possibly help my hair. After all, it couldn't possibly hurt the situation, could it?

 

[bluenun]

Thanks again for the replies.
After seeing my hair from a different angles I have decided to go with Finasteride and Nizoral.

Will be taking photos to add to the album.

I will see how things go and if my skin gets worse I will try to rough it out.

Any opinions on whether it is better to take finasteride 1.25mg in the morning or .6mg am and .6mg pm?