Only 20 and wondering what I should do?

[Yiddy]

I am only 20 years old and have been losing my hair since I was 14. I thought I lost my hair because of some serious stress from a emotional trauma when I was about 14 (but my Doctor says most likely not). I went the the dermatologist and he said I could use propecia and rogaine. My mother and I talked about the option and I have yet to take anything, so I would like to post some pictures and ask for some advice.[attachment=3:13ph4d12]Photo 3.jpg[/attachment:13ph4d12][attachment=3:13ph4d12]Photo 3.jpg[/attachment:13ph4d12]

I have shaved my head and I think it looks pretty decent, but its still just a bother to think that as a junior in college I am going bald. I don't think is something I should take due some materials I have read online. However, I would not be opposed to take Rogaine. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

 

[amsch]

Believe it or not, i think you have very good chances to regrow a lot. Check out mj9's story.

So get on propecia + rogaine 5% RIGHT NOW!

 

[BadHairGenes]

If you think that you look decent with a shaved head, then i wouldn't take the chance of getting sides from finasteride. And remember, you are a slave to these products as long as you wish to keep your hair.

 

[decro435]

Dude that's f%$ked up losing your hair at 14. You should be proud of yourself for getting through that, it ain't easy I know.

You should Definitely jump on Finasteride and Minoxidil now that you're 20 , you could regrow a lot. Your skin color helps as well so you might not look all that bad with a shaved head anyways..

Good luck and well done.

 

[treeshrew]

you are a slave to these products as long as you wish to keep your hair.

why does everyone say this? are you a slave to Crest brushing your teeth every day? a slave to Vive for washing your hair?

popping a tiny pill and rubbing some foam on each day - not that big of a commitment to keep your hair.

 

[BadHairGenes]

Becuase it is the truth..? Whether or not it is a big commitment is not for me to decide.
However, i think that we can all agree that the healthiest possible solution to hairloss is to just get mentally beyond it. Its just so !%& hard, i know.

 

[treeshrew]

Becuase it is the truth..?

no, it's not the truth. it's a very small time commitment, and very easy to do.

the healthiest possible solution to hairloss is to just get mentally beyond it. Its just so !%& hard, i know.

maybe.. but you shouldn't discourage people from trying meds, they are proven to work and have helped many.

 

[Yiddy]

I appreciate all the comments, but my worries with propecia are about the long term affects. It will change my PSA levels, increases the risk of developing a high-grade prostate cancer, and impotence...... are pretty scary.

Would rogaine be enough to try and get some of my hair back? Again I appreciate all the comments.

 

[BadHairGenes]

Okay listen, why do you fail to understand and leave out the rest of my sentence? Starting these products you DO become a slave to them if you want to keep the effect, both timewise and economically. Sure you cannot argue with that? And whether or not it is a bit commitment, and i am repeating myself here, is not for me to decide as it is obviously a matter of opinion.

If you read his post you could see that he is asking for advide, and my two cents is just that if i were him, i would not take finasteride due to the risk of getting those permanent sides. Especially since he said himself that he looks decent with a shaved head.

 

[Deus_Ex_Lemur]

The meds work; no doubt; but at what cost? It depends on the person taking them; everyone responds to sides differently, but don't by illusioned that there's no long-term effect, even if you have minimal sides Propecia/finasteride are POWERFUL drugs and effect your system in ways studies still do not show. That's not to discourage but just be to aware; do your own research; hear from other people. I think then make an informed decision but don't do it because other people say so and it works for them OR the other way around, can become a slave and "sides bad I got bad sides dont take!" All of which is true to the person giving that advice; If you're concerned about sides/long-term effects see a GOOD doctor... and get blood tests before you go on them; update tests every 3-6 months. And be aware of how you feel. If you get sides; go off them but don't quit cold turkey ease off and really should minimal 6 months even with sides stay on unless they happen quick and really bad (but doesn't mean they will). Then if it does work; realize need to stay on them for... well. Just need to stay on them if you want to keep your hair =)

I think Propecia and mino will help you; although I must say I've rarely heard a case like yours; or see anyone look that far gone at only 20 or start losing at 14 or so rapidly. I'm sure an aggressive hairloss like that can occur but maybe there's more to it? You ever get a thyroid test or anything else? Anyways, keep us updated!

 

[nuttyrich]

I would get on Propecia/Rogaine/Nizoral right away seems like your follicles are still alive. I think you could grow a lot back, worst case scenario you give it 1-2 years and you either get good results, or you don't like the results and shave it all off. I think you have very aggressive male pattern baldness for only being 20 and started losing it at 14, but again I think you should give it a try those follicles seem to be alive better to say " I gave it a shot" than just giving up without trying. Question you need to ask yourself is am I willing to keep this regimen if it works and what results would I be happy with? I doubt you would regrow it all back but again those pictures as bad as it looks they LOOK like they can be revived and I think you have a good shot.. at getting a lot back.. you are only 20 so make sure you have the mental frame of mind and realize it takes a LONG TIME! Please educate yourself and don't try herbal remedies just go for the big 3 if you feel you can handle it!

Good luck,
Rich

 

[Yiddy]

I have had various blood tests and they all come back clean.... to be honest I have stated before I don't mind shaving my head, but its the thought that is so depressing to me. Its really really a downer. I mean when I was a kid my hair was so thick, and now you can see the difference. I went today to go get some clothing because I am going to be attending the inauguration (Also the inaugural ball) and looking at myself in the mirror at all angles, my hair was just so depressing.

 

[imlosinit]

My hair is very similar to the OP. I'm 37 and was wondering how you would classify such hair on Norwood and in general terms (diffuse thinner? mpd?) thanks!

 

[Yiddy]

I got my hair cut to a zero at the barber and it looks good. I was wondering though in order to keep me looking like that all the time if Rogaine Foam should do the job in preventing further hair loss and maintaining what I have when it cut very short.

 

[Yiddy]

bump

 

[hhj1247]

finasteride should prevent further loss and possibly thicken. Rogaine will stimulate follicles into growing. Nizoral will stop scalp irritation with perhaps minor growth properties and does wonders when taken with Rogaine and finasteride. I would also pick up a bottle of over the counter nizoral while your getting the finasteride and Rogaine.

Try to bug your doctor for a cheaper and just as effective finasteride. Propecia is very overpriced and combined with the expenses of Nizoral and Rogaine, it can run a broke 20 yr old dry. I am currently on Propecia but am seeking a cheaper alternative (if any doctor will give me it!!! rotest: ). You could also ease yourself onto finasteride like I did or take a lower dose to avoid sides. I started on .25 increasing the dose .25 each month until I got up to 1 now. Make sure to read the success form. mj9 and SE-Freak have comparable baseline pics and will give you a lot of hope going into treatment. Good luck!

 

[dman23]

yo men ur hair loss looks like myn i think... go for the big 3 like me im almost at month 2 into the treatment and im starting to see a minor improvement.
wish u the best of luck m8.

 

[ntn88ntn]

Here are you options mate:

Propecia, Tricomin, Minoxidil, Revivogen, Nizoral Shampoo, and countless others.

For you you should DEFINITELY get on either Minoxidil (Rogaine/Regaine (u.k.) or Tricomin. ASAP, like now. Seriously the longer you wait and dither the worse your sitatuion will become nad from those pictures your situation in terms of regrowing hair looks potentially great considering diffuse thinners respond better to treatments and yours is very consistent on the top of your scalp.

If you dont' want to use propecia for now, then ok fine, it's cutting your chances of getting some serious regrowth down by a lot, But note, that 0.2 mg of Finasteride (Propecia) was shown as almost as effective as 1mg - so that's definitely an option espeically considering your're young. And it would mean you have far less finasteride running around your system potentially causing side effects (which by the way are in a far minority)... also it makes the cost cheaper. getting the finasteride and a pill cutter, cutting them into fifths.. lasts 5 times as long for the same price eh?

google tricomin and Copper peptides. You'll probably find some vague bs about it but there are real studies that have shown them to be just as if not more effective as Minoxidil, without the side effects, and Tricomin is cosmetically amazing in that it makes your hair look better as well. Minoxidil will make your hair look greasy when you use it.
I'd recommend if you did ANYTHING right now you get minoxidil and trico. They can work together to pull off some amazing results.. seriously. i've seen them.
Be aware that hairloss in many cases gets worse before it gets better when using treatments. Because the miniturised hairs fall out and thicker hair shafts grow back, which again fall out and generally continue to get thicker until they're relatively stable and you have quasi normal hair growth again.

I'm not trying to say it's a timebomb.. you still have plenty of time. But if you just get on minoxidil and trico now you can work out the rest later.And the whole point si with hairloss treatments, the earlier you start the the higher your chances of maintaining/regrowing hair.
You're worried about side effects. So forget propecia for now. Just get on Rogaine/Nizoral/Tricomin Spray. Stay on it for at least 3 months.

Good luck and
Best wishes

Sam