Looking for input on my progress.

[Derpicus]

Hello its been awhile since I last posted an update on how my hair has been progressing, but I was hoping I could get some input on if you think its getting better/worse, as well as my current Norwood classification.
Thanks in advance.

These two were from 2 months on Finasteride. 2014-08


These were from 2015-06


and the last set I'll show are from 2015-10



Sorry that the photos are at an angle they weren't when I took the photos, but when I uploaded them here they went wonky. I personally feel like I've lost some ground since 2015-06 but maybe that's just me being paranoid.
My current Regime is 2.5mg of finasteride every other day, and 1 mg of Dutasteride every other day as well. I rotate between the two, I used minoxidil from December 2014 to around March 2015. I discontinued Minoxidil because it was interfering with a laser treatment I was getting done for veins near the eye area and I wouldn't be able to use minoxidil for 4-5 weeks after the treatment and I got that done multiple times. I've been contemplating going back on it.

I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot at the moment but I feel like I should probably cut my hair a bit shorter at the moment, currently my right side for me left side for you looks a bit like a comb over because I have my hair grown out quite a bit at the moment, its probably not noticeable to someone doesn't eye out peoples hairline. But I have Body Dysmorphic Disorder; though its generally directed at other parts of my face, with the target some days being my hair. So the best way to get an accurate assessment is from my peers on this forum. Since my family thinks I'm not even a NW1 while I feel like I'm a Norwood 2 at the moment.

 

[dusty]

The recent pictures are not very good but I would have to say that you seem to be responding to treatment very well.
Based on the photos you have provided I think that your hair line is the same if not better.
And yes you are 100 percent a NW2 at your starting point.
Honestly though you should just drop finasteride if you are taking dutasteride EOD. dutasteride has a long half life in comparison to finasteride so dropping 2.5mg finasteride EOD is useless. If you really want to stay on finasteride then reduce the dosage to 1.25mg because it is going to inhibit that same amount of DHT over the course of two days as 2.5 mg. But dutasteride is still doing all the real leg work

 

[Derpicus]

Would you say the recent pcitures are too close? Or is the lighting bad? I know you stated 100% Norwood 2 at the start, but does that mean its hard to determine my current rating because my pictures are poorly taken. Or am I still the same classification?

 

[dusty]

It is a little difficult to determine if you have improved due to the angle and lighting differences...if you cannot match the lighting try to match the angle and distance specifically in respect to your starting point photos

 

[PileOn]

Looks much better than when you started and that is good. When did you start finasteride and when did you start dutasteride? What's your family history with male pattern baldness?

 

[Derpicus]

I started Finasteride at the end of June 2014, started Minoxidil mid-December and quit around March. As for starting Dutasteride I'm pretty sure it was around Feb 2015. Since that's the earliest I see it on my prescription list.

For my family history my mothers side generally seems to be good for male pattern baldness most men in their 50's are around a Norwood 2 to 3.

For my father's side not as good. My dad is a Norwood 2.5-3 he's 56 years old. But the others are mainly Norwood 4 to Norwood 6. None have went to a 7. Earliest someone has reached Norwood 6 on my fathers side was their mid 30's. The one being my grandpa the other being a cousin.

 

[PileOn]

Honestly it's an improvement. My situation is not as good but I haven't made the decision to get on dutasteride yet but I really am considering it. What made you get on dutasteride and do you think it has helped?

 

[Derpicus]

The reason why I hopped on dutasteride was because I wasn't entirely sure if finasteride was responding. I read that dutasteride was considered "better" even though it wasn't approved as a hair loss treatment and was more used off-label. Also read studies that stated it had a bit more regrowth then finasteride so I brought information to my doctor to see if he felt comfortable prescribing it to me, because I wanted to do everything possible to prevent my hair from getting worse.

I don't shed as often it seems while on Dutasteride but I've been on the medication for quite some time, I do get a bad shed once in awhile but my hairs seem to be coming in thicker and thicker each time. I've just recently restarted using minoxidil though so I'm expecting it to get worse soon. I think dutasteride has helped, but I think finasteride was doing fine as well, I just wanted the extra sense of security but inhibiting more DHT.