jammgym: Yes, I got in touch with a dermatologist before going on my treatments. He was able to provide me with some basic advice along with a perscription for proscar. Be aware that when consulting a dermatologist there is a good chance he might not have very specific knowledge about hairloss. Alot of veterans on this forum are more knowledgeable then the average derm is about hairloss.
If your overwhelmed with the vast amounts of products and what they do then try to keep it as simple as possible. First and foremost your going to need a DHT inhibitor to help lower your DHT levels. This can be found most popularly in two forms, one topical, one internal. The internal treatment is referred to as propecia, or proscar which both contain the active ingredient, finasteride. Proscar is a cheaper form of propecia that when split into fifths provides nearly the same dosage as one pill of propecia. Propecia is one of the most popular drugs and is proven to maintain hair counts in 87% of people in the vertex and mid-anterior region of the scalp. It can be inferred that it helps at least 50% of people maintain their hairline as well.
Secondly, minoxidil or "Rogaine" is often used to stimulate hair growth or rejuvenate weak existing hairs. There is no definitive conclusion of why it is able to revive hairs but it has been shown to have a positive effect in most users. Typically what you can expect when you take Rogaine is an "offset of growth" during the initial year, if your a responder. This growth usually only lasts about a year but nevertheless the treatment must be continued.
Lastly, it's important that you control scalp inflammation or dandruff. Choosing an appropriate anti-inflammatory shampoo such as Nizoral is imperative. You should use Nizoral at least 2 times a week. If you still continue to have problems with inflammation T-gel, Head and Shoulders, or Selsun Blue can help when used in conjunction with Nizoral. Folligen has also helped many with irritation due to minoxidil.
What's most important is you find a regimen that your comfortable with, stay consistent, and use it for at least a year before making any conclusive assessments. Best of Luck.
