Second guessing my planned regiment....opinions

[thinning_esteem]

Well these past few days I've really been second guessing my planned regiment
Mainly whether or not to take Proscar.
Why? Because of this http://www.askapatient.com/viewratings. ... ort=gender
I have suffered from panic disorder, high levels of anxiety, depression and a little insomnia. I also seem to be very susceptible to side effects of medications.
I should also explain that after months of examining my hairline I've finally settled on this reality.
I have a shitty hairline, always have. Goes back to far by the temples. The only part that is really beginning to thin is the middle front.
What I find is that the hair in the front will only grow so long, about an inch and a half. I really just want to be able to grow my hair about 2 inches long and do the same coverup I have done since I was a child.
Is Proscar worth it?
Would minoxidil work for me, combined with everything else I have planned for my regiment? http://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/discussions ... 12&start=0
Please help.

 

[CCS]

minoxidil will not even slow down the balding process. It just does a good job of growing hair longer while it continues dying off. Proscar will stop it from dying, but does not grow as much as the minoxidil, typically. That is why you should combine the two.

 

[The Gardener]

Well, what I am about to say is NOT my normal diagnosis for a new balder, but from personal experience, Minoxidil might really help you. I had the same issues... I'm a bit older and already had bald temples, but when my "Isthimus of Panama" (that center forehead strip) started to thin out, I got worried and got on a regimen. I mean, I didn't mind having a widows peak hairline at all. I thought it was very age-appropriate and frankly I think I still looked handsome with it. But when that center hair starts to transition from Jude Law-ish to Kevin Spacey-ish, it was time to take action.

I didn't get on Propecia because I don't like taking internals. It has NOTHING to do with the side effects, I am just the kind of guy who won't even take an aspirin unless my headache is unbearable. Anyways, I don't have that phobia with the topicals, so I started using minoxidil.

It has worked GREAT for me, I am definitely a responder and the thin and weak strands up front are now a VERY significantly cosmetically improved patch of hair that is stylable and thick! I haven't had much regrowth, well, I did have some on the upper corners of my temples, it has kind of had the effect of "rounding them off" a bit, which has made a visible difference... but the most dramatic improvement has been a very visible and tangible upgrade to the cosmetic apperance of that center strip. Even my stylist noticed, asked if I was on Rogaine.

I've maintained these gains quite strongly, and three years later these follicles continue to pump out the good thick stuff!

Anyways, we are all different and respond differently to things, but just to get my voice on record, minoxidil, being a regrowth agent, might give that center patch the boost it needs.

The one thing to consider is that minoxidil does add some prep time in the mornings before you start your day. Its a bit tedious. And, in conjunction with the minoxidil I use spironolactone.... but a combo of minoxidil and finasteride is, statistically speaking, the very best weapons that modern science have to fight this, and both have been proven to help a majority of people who decide to use them.

 

[thinning_esteem]

The Gardener
You wouldn't happen to have any pics would you?

 

[TOMOMASTA]

You might want add retin-a, or a slicylic acid to your scalp once daily or a few times a week to keep your pores clear for better absorbtion of minoxidil...IMO, too many people forget about keeping pores clear for topicals to absorb better

 

[Guest]

Gardener, as I've said before, the fact that you did not get on finasteride along with your minoxidil probably cost you at least half a Norwood scale. minoxidil does NOT stop hair loss as college said. All it does is provide an offset of regrowth. You need something with it to stop the balding and unless you have very good hair genes there is no doubt in my mind that with only minoxidil and spironolactone, you are headed for more serious balding in the future.

 

[The Gardener]

It's working wonderfully for me so far. I'm 37, so if at some point in the future it starts to recede a bit more, it will be fine with me. The minoxidil has turned me from Kevin Spacey to more of a Jude Law look, and its still doing its thing and has been doing so for several years... so I feel that minoxidil has definitely given me more of an age-appropriate hairline and put me about ten years ahead of the curve that most men are on.

I guess my general point is that I'm not on a regimen to get and maintain a Norwood 1. minoxidil is working just fine for me on its own.

 

[Guest]

you must not have very bad genetics then. i do want to maintain a norwood 1-2 into my forties.

 

[The Gardener]

Yes, you might be right.

There is male pattern baldness in my family, but no NW6s or 7s. Just a lot of widows peaks, and a few Kevin Spaceys.

 

[Guest]

Ah I see. My mom's side has a couple of Brad Pitt's and Colin Farrell's, but unfortunately my dad's side has a couple of Dick Cheney's.

 

[blueshard]

lol "dick cheneys" yeah my dad is one of those. also my grandfather.

Not my brother though, he is older and his is Norwood 1. That mother ffucker!

 

[Thinneritgoes!]

Great post. minoxidil and spironolactone is working great for me. I watched a video with some friends that was filmed in high school. I always think in my mind that toward the end of high school I had so much more hair (I was already receding), but my hair doesn't look much different at all. My hairline may even be better. SO uh, yeah cool! :lol: