Please help me. Am I going bald? What to do?

[Koman]

Ok, here are some pictures I took 5 months ago and my current situation.

I don't really see much difference but maybe i am wrong.

My hair is not really falling out. Well, if I brush it really hard, one or two might fall out but isn't that normal?

I have always had a big forehead and my hairstylist also says my hair is ok, but still - I want to be prepared because my father is bald. Nobody on my mothers side is bald and I've read somewhere that mother's side carries the bald gene.

Also, what's up with the latest discovery regarding the bald gene in 2009? What are the most effective ways of treatment/prevention that do not ruin your libido or have nasty side effects?

I wouldn't really care, it's just that I will be very ugly without my hair.

I will be 23 soon btw.

 

[Boondock]

It could simply be a mature/high hairline, but my bet's on hairloss.

 

[Koman]

It could simply be a mature/high hairline, but my bet's on hairloss.

Ok, so what do I do to prevent it advancing? Also, when did I lose my hair if I never see hair in shower and stuff like that?

 

[s.a.f]

Yeah I'd say it looks like more than just a mature hairline, get on the big 3.

 

[Nene]

:agree: Try some minoxidil/rogaine and nizoral shampoo. If you're not afraid of sides get on finasteride/propecia.

 

[Koman]

:agree: Try some minoxidil/rogaine and nizoral shampoo. If you're not afraid of sides get on finasteride/propecia.

Are those 3 the best? Shouldn't I see a dermatologist or something? What kind of Nizoral shampoo should I use? Also, regarding that propecia - I read about side effects on wikipedia. Not sure if it's worth the risk. That's why I would want to know maybe take advice from some professional, not sure which one would that be though.

Also, if I do - how much should I use and how much does it cost per month approximately?

My cosmetologist said to use gentle shampoos because I have skin that gets easily irritated.

 

[Nene]

Yes, those are known as the big 3 and are accepted as the 3 best treatments for hair loss on these forums. I would never advise taking any prescription medication without first seeing your doctor.

Rogaine and nizoral can be purchased over the counter and are very safe. I for one have been using rogaine since I was 19 with great results and have never had any side effects. Generic minoxidil (rogaine) can be purchased for very cheap on ebay or amazon, however it may irritate your scalp about. If you use the rogaine foam it is much easier on the scalp but is more expensive. If you can afford it though, I highly recommend it. Nizoral can be purchased online also and people here use it a couple times a week. I honestly am not convinced it helps stop hair loss but a lot of people on here swear by it.

The tricky one is finasteride (propecia). See your doctor and get a prescription. Some people do get sexual side effects and some swear it did permanent damage. Other people experience none and say it did wonders for their hair. Read up on these forums and you'll see plenty of posts about it from both sides of the argument. If you do decide to take it, lots of people advise starting out with half a pill so you can see how your body reacts to it.

 

[Nene]

Also, in terms of what doctor to see. Honestly most of them are clueless about hair loss and that includes dermatologists. They'll give you a prescription for propecia and send you on your way. You really need to become your own doctor when it comes to hair loss. Hair transplant surgeons however, are more knowledgeable. They can map out your scalp for miniaturization so you can have an idea of where you're headed in terms of hair loss. Just don't get talked into getting getting a transplant! LOL.

 

[Koman]

Thanks. I'll go to my local pharmacy and ask for minoxidil and Nizoral shampoo.

I think my hair is ok now but I will use it as a preventative measure.

The only thing - I try to wash my hair rarely now and with little amount of shampoo. I also use Baby Shampoo since when I used heavier shampoos my scalp got irritated and I had red skin at a few spots. I'm not sure how tough Nizoral is on the skin. I could use it 2 times a week I guess.

About minoxidil/rogaine - I will ask in the pharmacy, but how often should I use that?

Also, how much does it cost total per month?


Thanks for helping

 

[Hoppi]

Sorry, word of warning from the alternative hippy dude lol -

Exercise caution with minoxidil. I certainly do. It doesn't actually tackle DHT, it doesn't tackle inflammation or anything like that, it simply floods the follicles with blood and nutrients by opening up the vessels surrounding them and the potassium channels in the cells. It seems pretty good at keeping hair alive yes, but of course then if you miss an application you can lose it really fast, you get an initial shed, and I personally can't see how it's tackling the problem at it's heart.

Nizoral I think is great because it reduces scalp 5ar, reduces inflammation and microbial/fungal activity and arguably even binds to androgen receptors so DHT can't!

It's up to you on the Min, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents and say I personally am quite wary of it! It's all your call though man, and Min will almost certainly give you visible results fast, but then there could potentially be a price to pay later

 

[mpbsux20]

HOPPI-come on dude,you ain't gonna lose your hair if you miss one application of Minoxidil.It stays in the system for 4 days so its going to take a minimum of 10 days or more to make a difference.Some users experienced no shedding even after missing a month's application.Although its always safe to be regular with any treatment that you take for male pattern baldness.

 

[Nene]

Fernand, ignore Hoppi, he's a loony. He has almost 0 hairloss and he actually thinks he discovered a cure for male pattern baldness. Furthermore, he's giving advice on minoxidil and has never even used it himself. I agree that it won't get to the root of the problem but it is excellent for regrowing hair. Obviously it's your decision, but take Hoppi's advice with a grain of salt!

 

[Nene]

Also, rogaine is suggested to be used twice a day, but some people on here say they use it once a day with good results. The price will really vary depending on if you go foam or liquid, generic or brand name.

 

[Hoppi]

lol ok no probs, I was only expressing my reasoning for not choosing to use minoxidil

 

[Nene]

No offense Hoppi. You seem like a nice guy, I just think ur hair loss theories are a bit out there.

 

[timbo]

Sorry, word of warning from the alternative hippy dude lol -

Exercise caution with minoxidil. I certainly do. It doesn't actually tackle DHT, it doesn't tackle inflammation or anything like that, it simply floods the follicles with blood and nutrients by opening up the vessels surrounding them and the potassium channels in the cells. It seems pretty good at keeping hair alive yes, but of course then if you miss an application you can lose it really fast, you get an initial shed, and I personally can't see how it's tackling the problem at it's heart.

Nizoral I think is great because it reduces scalp 5ar, reduces inflammation and microbial/fungal activity and arguably even binds to androgen receptors so DHT can't!

It's up to you on the Min, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents and say I personally am quite wary of it! It's all your call though man, and Min will almost certainly give you visible results fast, but then there could potentially be a price to pay later

Hoppi, no one cares what you think.

 

[Hoppi]

No offense Hoppi. You seem like a nice guy, I just think ur hair loss theories are a bit out there.

Aw well thanks for the complement man - I know you got a bit fed up with me in my controversial insulin thread! lol

Yeah I know my theories (and more often than not the theories I simply choose to follow) are a bit odd, but I just really want to save my hair in the most constructive way possible - particularly as its not the only weird thing going on in my body right now (my skin went strange at about the same time I started losing hair. suspicious? )

Anywho, see you round and peace!

Hoppi ^_^

 

[Fender89]

hoppi, minoxidil isn't all that bad.

I've been using spectral DNC since about december or so and honestly i've missed a few nights and stuff. Nothing bad has happened. I also have longish hair and it's still relatively thick (just nowhere near it's former glory yet lol) so it's not really destroyed my exisiting hair or anything.

Apparently if you go off minoxidil, you just go back to where you would have been had you not have been using it.

 

[Hoppi]

hoppi, minoxidil isn't all that bad.

I've been using spectral DNC since about december or so and honestly i've missed a few nights and stuff. Nothing bad has happened. I also have longish hair and it's still relatively thick (just nowhere near it's former glory yet lol) so it's not really destroyed my exisiting hair or anything.

Apparently if you go off minoxidil, you just go back to where you would have been had you not have been using it.

Problem is though that that position will continue to get worse, you know?

Because the follicles are still flooded in DHT, inflamed (I believe) and probably still undergoing at least partial apoptosis.

Min does get quick results and will pull a follicle back to life fast, but I dunno I would just rather tackle the inflammation and hormonal influences primarily, and use Min as a last resort if a lot of hair had been lost.

That's just me though, and S-DNC and normal min seem to work very well for many people so, it's up to the individual


EDIT -- I changed my tune on this after a while coz yeah Spectral.DNC (and also Xandrox) do actually look pretty cool.. heh