Confused & Uneducated - Seeking Help

[paradigm]

Hey folks,

I'm completely new to all of this, and just found out recently that my hair has started to thin. Will save all the newbie hassle and trauma. I'm 20 and just found out about a month ago. My hair still looks good. No one can see it, but if you feel it, you can tell.

I'm very uncertain what kind of advancements are made in the hair loss industry and I'm certain there's no way to keep it the way it used to be through medical maintenance, but I'm looking to at least RETAIN what I currently have. I'd be very happy with that.

I'm scouring around the forums - seems to be lots of mixed opinions.

What's the best thing I can do right now to take action and keep things going well for me? Or in the obvious best case scenario, to regrow my hair that's thinned out?

Thanks.

 

[Administrator]

Hey folks

Welcome to the forums Paradigm.

I'm very uncertain what kind of advancements are made in the hair loss industry and I'm certain there's no way to keep it the way it used to be through medical maintenance, but I'm looking to at least RETAIN what I currently have. I'd be very happy with that. I'm scouring around the forums - seems to be lots of mixed opinions.

Your biggest task at this point is to be sure you're really losing your hair. Only you will know for sure. Others wont. Its important you are sure of it though because you do not want to start treating it before it actually begins. Be honest with yourself about your tendency to overract to things, and think if you're the type that has often jumped the gun only to found out you were wrong. If so, proceed with caution. If not, then you can know you're losing your hair if you are seeing it all over your pillow, if its clogging the drain, if you have incessant itching, tingling, and goosebump sensations on your scalp, pain when parting your hair the wrong direction, or if you simply can't style it the same because its so limp and looking visually thinner. If this is the case... continue reading...

What's the best thing I can do right now to take action and keep things going well for me? Or in the obvious best case scenario, to regrow my hair that's thinned out?

If you're catching it at the beginning, go to the grocery store and get Nizoral shampoo. Use it religiously once every 3 days and allow it to soak for the duration of your shower. Use it whether or not you have any noticeable itch. Then the decision is yours. Propecia or Rogaine Foam. If you are starting out new, ignore everyone who tells you to do a combo approach. Its too early and totally unnecessary to do both. Use one or the other. You seem like the kind of guy who wants the bottom line so here it is - for maintenance and to possibly thicken up (almost verbatim what you said above), Propecia is the proper treatment. Give it a solid year before you expect anything, and ride out any sheds you may have. Propecia is for stopping hair loss from getting any worse, but it can cause shedding during the first year. Rogaine is for stimulating growth despite the hair loss continuing. Ive managed to use Propecia and other topical antiandrogens for 8 years now and haven't even touched rogaine yet. Kept everything I have with antiandrogens alone.

Admin

 

[paradigm]

Hey Admin,

I appreciate your cut-to-the-chase approach. I dig it.

I'm fairly certain I'm not freaking out over nothing - as the top set of the hair doesn't feel as thick as the sides do anymore, and visible areas seem thinner than they should.

I suppose I should get this checked by a dermatologist again, huh? First time I went she said she didn't really see anything.

Are there some tests I can do like thyroid glands or DHT or something? If so, is that with a hospital doctor, a derm...?

Thanks again.

p.s: Why get the nizoral shampoo first then transition into the other products? What kind of results would I see?

 

[paradigm]

Admin?

Anyone else?