Diagnosis Confirmed Early Pattern Baldness

[AI117]

So I went to a private dermatologist who also specialises in hair. He took some magnified images of my crown and pointed out some thinner and miniaturised hairs. After telling him that I've been experiencing some heavy shedding mainly from my crown these past few weeks, he was pretty certain that it's early male pattern baldness.
He advised I started a 6 month trial of Regaine. If that didn't help then finasteride.

I don't know what to feel to be honest, glad that it's nothing serious or worse but in a way gutted that male pattern baldness is kicking in for me. I was hoping it wouldn't until i'm at least 30 (25 atm) but oh well.

 

[AI117]

I'm not particularly keen on using minoxidil though mainly because I already have bad outbreaks of dandruff and seb derm and fear that minoxidil will just make it worse.
Aware of the side effects of finasteride of course, would it be okay to start off on 0.25mg a day?

 

[Alphalete]

What's your age?

 

[bartoow]

So if you don't have any major loss atm and loss is 'just kicking in', I would suggest you go straight to finasteride and skip minoxidil.
There will be a big change that you can halt hairloss in this early stage completely. For the dose it doesn't really matter a lot (0.25 vs 0.5 vs 1mg), just take it and stick with it.

You can save minoxidil for later, probably many years later if you stick to finasteride. Goodluck mate! In some way, consider yourself lucky knowing you could do something about it to prevent from losing.

 

[AI117]

I'm 25. Currently weighing up whether I should get on finasteride or not. Just worried about the side effects.
Here's some images of my crown close up. There are some miniaturised hairs as you can see.

 

[AI117]

The start of the year was a stressful time for me as I had family issues then came down with a nasty chest infection.
The stress has also flared up my seb derm. On top of that, I'm also suffering with alopecia areata on the back of my head. I believe this also developed as a result of the stress.
The dermatologist did say there's an outside chance my crown loss could be diffuse alopecia areata. But he ruled out a biopsy for now.
Hair loss can have so many causes it seems. Just praying it's not pattern baldness although I'm probably in denial haha.

 

[Berken33]

How to recover baldness? Is their any legitimate way?

 

[1knox1]

He’s right. Other way round though. Finasteride first then minoxidil later if necessary. All there is to it. Good luck.

 

[AI117]

Anyone from the UK here? What is the best way to get finasteride?
Also, stupid question but how do you cut your tablets to take 0.25mg?

 

[Berken33]

Anyone from the UK here? What is the best way to get finasteride?
Also, stupid question but how do you cut your tablets to take 0.25mg?

Only UK people need answer this question?

 

[Unlucky93]

Anyone from the UK here? What is the best way to get finasteride?
Also, stupid question but how do you cut your tablets to take 0.25mg?

I use UK Meds. You could prob find them cheaper elsewhere.

Use a knife to cut it... or a razor blade

 

[abcdefg]

I'm not particularly keen on using minoxidil though mainly because I already have bad outbreaks of dandruff and seb derm and fear that minoxidil will just make it worse.
Aware of the side effects of finasteride of course, would it be okay to start off on 0.25mg a day?

I would just follow his advice. You wont lose a ton of hair in 6 months. See if you respond to rogain first.