new guy #1453645 seeking advice

[chouginga]

yo guys, i know you get tons of these threads, i can see 3-4 on the front page right away so i'll try not to take too much time. i'm 23, my hairline started receding a few years ago, couldn't tell you exactly when, probably when i was 18 or 19, but it's never really worried me until recently. it's gotten significantly worse in the last year or so, it's not so bad that i feel especially self-conscious about it just yet but if it continues receding at the pace it is i think i don't have long until it's a very big problem. i've looked around a bit both here and elsewhere, and i think i've narrowed my choices down to either minoxodil + nizoral or something similar, or one of the laser combs. unfortunately propecia is probably out of the question because of kidney issues but i'm gonna talk to my doctor so we'll see.

i'm not sure what to think about either, minoxodil + nizoral seems like the more probable choice but in the long run it'll cost a whole lot more, and from what i can tell minoxidil has a much lower success rate on hairlines compared to the crown. i've heard wildly conflicting reports about laser combs, there are a good few threads in this forum reporting back good things, but nothing entirely conclusive. what do you guys think?

for the record i'm not really looking to grow back hair, that seems too hopeful, but if i can slow down or stop the hair loss process as it is i'd be more than happy

 

[Bigsby]

You absolutely should get on Finasteride (the generic version of Propecia). That is, so far, the best way to maintain your hair. Don't believe the hype about the sexual side effects. Your dick isn't going to get ruined. Just get out there and get a prescription ASAP. You'll be glad you did.

Using Minoxidil on your crown may help as well. I've seen some people getting some regrowth from that on these forums.

I'd also recommend Regenepure DR instead of Nizoral (1% Ketoconazole version is what I use). I use it daily. I don't have any experience with Nizoral but apparently you should limit it to once every three days or something (though I dunno if that changes if you use the 1% version or the prescription-strength 2% version, though I imagine it would).

But basically, the Finasteride and Minoxidil is gonna do the heavy lifting with maintaining your hair. These medications work best on the crown but people have seen some hairline regrowth with these medications. I personally have seen some with just Finasteride (I don't use Minoxidil). Just take the Finasteride every day orally (I take it around the same time everyday though I'm not sure how necessary the timing is as long as you're in the ballpark) and apply Minoxidil to where your hairline has receded on the sides. Just rub it on the bare skin/near where your hairline starts.

Stick with it. You might not see any results for 6 months or so. And you'll get an initial shed. But if you stick with it, you might get some regrowth. At the very least, your hairline should recede at a slower rate (and perhaps stop completely for a while!).

But Finasteride is a necessity! It is the most effective medication out there. Don't shy away from it. If you DO get side effects, they'll go away when you stop.

 

[Raz]

Guy above me has solid advice.

 

[bilboswaggins]

Stick with it. You might not see any results for 6 months or so. And you'll get an initial shed. But if you stick with it, you might get some regrowth. At the very least, your hairline should recede at a slower rate (and perhaps stop completely for a while!).

But Finasteride is a necessity! It is the most effective medication out there. Don't shy away from it. If you DO get side effects, they'll go away when you stop.

give me a reason why this should happen