Is Finasteride (Propecia) Thinning My Hair?

[Steven85]

Ok, I have been reading about reflex hypersomething http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hyperandrogenicity.cfm

Could this be the reason finasteride is not working for many? And having read this, of course I am going to feel I have more acne now, after starting finasteride.

 

[Steven85]

I have always had a high libido and havent noticed any changes in that after finasteride. Have you?

 

[Benjamin36]

Me too.

 

[Steven85]

But im still curious about reflex hyperandrogenicity.

How can I conclude if I have it or not? Do I need to have increased acne, oily skin, increased swetting and libido? In my case I MAY have some increased acne but none of the other symptoms. How should I conclude on that? Do you think you need to have all or many of the symptoms for it to be hyperandrogenicity or is one enough?

 

[Beingbaldsucksass]

If its only acne then 9 out of 10 it's not finasteride, acne triggers from so many things mostly food

 

[HairGuru22]

my libido even got higher on finasteride :shakehead:

 

[Steven85]

Another question, and sorry about the whining. I have been getting feedback that I shouldnt bee concerned yet, because three weeks is like nothing, and that it is impossible to say if I am a good responder to finasteride or not at this time.

I really appreciate the feedback, but the main reason I am concerned is exactly the fact that it has only been three weeks and I already see my hair thinning. I knew about the possibility of initial shedding, but I thought that wasnt gonna happen for still a couple of months. So with the thinning already being apparent after just three weeks I am afraid of how it will be in say three months. I can still handle the way my hair looks right now, but any more thinning is gonna be real bad. Thats why I am so uncertain about whether I should take my chances and continue with finasteride, hoping it will all grow back or cut my losses and quit while I still have a reasonable amount of hear.

What would you guys do in my position, knowing how finasteride has worked for you?

 

[Benjamin36]

Steve, I'm in exactly the same position. My hair has thinned dramatically after starting finasteride, but when you read what others who have been in the same position say it is reassuring. My hair was so thick in March, and then all of a sudden I can see my scalp through my hair. I have yet to see improvement, but from what I've read it can take 3 to 4 months to notice it growing back because of the hair cycle phase.

I have read about others who started shedding early as well, so I don't think there is any reason to be alarmed, but I know it's hard not to from personal experience.

I would rather wait it out, which I am doing, than end up losing all my hair and wonder if I should have stayed on finasteride.

Time will only tell. No one can tell you that your hair will grow back for sure, but that's what's supposed to happen. And everyone is different, so your situation will differ from everyone elses.

By the way, are you using Nizoral?

 

[Steven85]

I just bought nizoral 2% a few days ago and have used it once. I am also concidering using revita as my everyday shampoo. Probably hard to tell, but what effect do you feel nizoral have for you? Making thinning better or worse?

And you say your thinning stopped In april. When did you start taking finasteride?

 

[Steven85]

Thanks for your advise. I know they both contain keto, and that revita only has 1% of it. I have been hearing different opinions on this, and some reccomend using revita on an everyday basis. But I agree its a little strange seeing as nizoral 1% should only be used 2-3 times a week.

I am from Norway. Nizoral 2% is sold over-the-counter here, and I got prescription for proscar from my doctor. I dont use propecia, but 1/4 proscar a day.

Where do you live? I have been assuming you are all from America.

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Another thing Tom: seeing as you obviously dont believe the other ingredients revita contains has any effect to prevent hair loss, why are you using nioxin? I have concidered this shampoo myself, so curious about your experience with it. Do you believe it helps prevent hair loss?

 

[Benjamin36]

I just bought nizoral 2% a few days ago and have used it once. I am also concidering using revita as my everyday shampoo. Probably hard to tell, but what effect do you feel nizoral have for you? Making thinning better or worse?

And you say your thinning stopped In april. When did you start taking finasteride?

I started in March, so I was just as shocked as you are. I was asking about the Nizoral because I have been using the 2% for about a year now, twice a week, but I have recently read many posts on forums about Nizoral causing sheds, even when the people weren't using anything else (minoxidil, Propecia). I'm thinking about at least decreasing the amount of times I use Nizoral weekly.

 

[Rocky V]

Even if you were the best responder to finasteride in human history, it'd be impossible to tell at the three week mark! It's much too early. Even three months is far too early.

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My timeline:

December 2011: Start Nizoral (it's cheap, didn't need a prescription, no-brainer really) Use every 5 to 7 days, depending in various factors.

8th January 2012: get my Propecia prescription at last. Start taking immediately.

January/February: Shedding phase. HUGE shed, very visible, pillows, bathroom, under computer keyboard everywhere.

Later February: No shedding of hairs. Scalp itch completely gone.

30th July: Still on Propecia and using Nizoral, no shedding at all, but NO regrowth of initial shed either.

The KEY thing is that I HAVEN'T shed hairs at all since the initial shed. So why is it taking so long to regain my initial loss? I'd look halfway-decent with that restored, let alone any other bonus regrowth.

for some people the success is retaining hair. unless you're under 25 you most likely will not see regrowth. it is quite rare for people over 25 to see regrowth, not to say there aren't any, because there are users over 25 who have seen regrowth. the ultimate function of finasteride is to maintain what you have and then use minoxidil to get regrowth

 

[Benjamin36]

^
Kirby isn't talking about getting regrowth to his pre-finasteride hair, he's talking about the hair he lost from the finasteride-shed.

 

[Benjamin36]

^
No problem Bud.

 

[WillNotLetItHappen]

finasteride shows its peak results at the two year mark apparantly.

That is a myth. There are people improving much later on in the game too. This can be read in the 10yr study on Propecia.

 

[Steven85]

1 month finasteride update:

Feeling better! I dont think my hair has been thinning much more the last week. Whats more, my concerns about reflex hyperandrogenicity has subsided. My initial increase in acne has stopped, and now most of my acne is gone. Actually my skin looks better than it did before starting finasteride (knock on wood!). Also my initial (might be imagined) increase in underarm sweating has subsided, and is back to normal.

Feeling best about my left temple, where I actually think I see small baby hairs emerging, although they might as well be miniaturized hairs hairs I guess. Does anyone know how you can see the difference?

Still a little concerned about the hairline at my right temple, as I think it may have thinned slightly more, but I am not sure. I change my mind about that every time I look in the mirror. Not seeing any baby hairs there, like on my left temple though, thats for sure.

Last few days I have also gotten more conscious about the hair at my crown, that has always been thick. In weak moments I think my crown hair is thinning, but probably its just in my mind and it is the same as it always has - at least thats what I tell myself. Looking at my crown in the mirror, sometimes I can, just barely, see the scalp at the spot where the hair separates, but I have been reading that its normal. I cant compare it to pre finasteride state, because I have never checked my crown hair before.

All in all, feeling a lot better about taking finasteride now, than a week ago. Still some concerns, but hopefully I turn out to bee a good responder. Fingers crossed!

I have still not decided whether or not I should start using rogaine. Any advice on that?

Nizoral question for you here at the end:

In Europe, where I live, the instructions on the bottle says to wet hair completely, apply a small amount of shampoo and bring into a lather. Leave on hair for 3-5 minutes for best results. From what I understand, in America you are instructed to apply the shampoo twice. Whats up with that?

As always, any feedback is much appreciated!

 

[Benjamin36]

In Europe, where I live, the instructions on the bottle says to wet hair completely, apply a small amount of shampoo and bring into a lather. Leave on hair for 3-5 minutes for best results. From what I understand, in America you are instructed to apply the shampoo twice. Whats up with that?

As always, any feedback is much appreciated!

No idea, maybe whoever told you that meant to use it twice a week? I only use it once per shower.

 

[Steven85]

As an example, here is from: http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/medications/ketoconazole_topical/

Before using the shampoo, wet your hair and scalp thoroughly. Apply the amount of shampoo that will produce enough lather to wash your hair and scalp. Gently massage your hair and entire scalp for about a minute. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Reapply the shampoo and this time leave on for 3 minutes. Then rinse it off completely.

 

[Benjamin36]

Hmmm..not sure. I just took a look at my bottle of 2% Nizoral and it says:

"Use two to three teaspoons and work into a lather. Rinse thoroughly. For best results leave in for three to five minutes."

I'm paraphrasing by the way.

 

[Bowser]

i like nizoral, but i find it doesn't lather well so i end of pouring **** loads out. id rather that than 'work' into a lather as i know ill end up pulling too many out look like i been in a fight with lawn cutter!