Treatment Induced Shedding Or Just %$^#ed?

That Guy

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Sup

I started finasteride and minoxidil about two months ago, though I unfortunately missed almost a week of finasteride about a month ago...

I'm shedding like hell - showers are a reverse lazarus pit. I'd wager I lose at least 150 hairs per shower. I'm diffuse thinning, but I have no slick bald spots on my scalp. I notice my scalp looks "gray" in colour and along the front of my hairline is miniaturized hair that seems to be growing - some of them actually seem like thick hairs and this is the same colour as my scalp so I assume that is new hair growing?

My temples seem thinner than a month ago and they itch like crazy sometimes. In general, my hair seems way thinner than when I started the treatments.

I've heard that you can shed for a while when you start Minoxidil, but I'm not sure if that's legit or broscience. Based on my description, do you think it's just normal shedding or am I screwed? I intend to stay the course with the treatments.
 

buckthorn

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Sup

I started finasteride and minoxidil about two months ago, though I unfortunately missed almost a week of finasteride about a month ago...

I'm shedding like hell - showers are a reverse lazarus pit. I'd wager I lose at least 150 hairs per shower. I'm diffuse thinning, but I have no slick bald spots on my scalp. I notice my scalp looks "gray" in colour and along the front of my hairline is miniaturized hair that seems to be growing - some of them actually seem like thick hairs and this is the same colour as my scalp so I assume that is new hair growing?

My temples seem thinner than a month ago and they itch like crazy sometimes. In general, my hair seems way thinner than when I started the treatments.

I've heard that you can shed for a while when you start Minoxidil, but I'm not sure if that's legit or broscience. Based on my description, do you think it's just normal shedding or am I screwed? I intend to stay the course with the treatments.

welcome to hell. just remember that finasteride works in 99.999999999999999% of people. Give it 480-600 months. if it feels like termites are eating at your scalps dermis and you go slick bald, just ride it out. It's all in your head. Hit the gym and rub one out. ;)
 

buckthorn

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Sup

I started finasteride and minoxidil about two months ago, though I unfortunately missed almost a week of finasteride about a month ago...

I'm shedding like hell - showers are a reverse lazarus pit. I'd wager I lose at least 150 hairs per shower. I'm diffuse thinning, but I have no slick bald spots on my scalp. I notice my scalp looks "gray" in colour and along the front of my hairline is miniaturized hair that seems to be growing - some of them actually seem like thick hairs and this is the same colour as my scalp so I assume that is new hair growing?

My temples seem thinner than a month ago and they itch like crazy sometimes. In general, my hair seems way thinner than when I started the treatments.

I've heard that you can shed for a while when you start Minoxidil, but I'm not sure if that's legit or broscience. Based on my description, do you think it's just normal shedding or am I screwed? I intend to stay the course with the treatments.

seriously though, having started both, it makes sense that you are shedding right now. As you know, this can be a really good sign. The hair cycles may be synchronizing and your shedding will cease at about 3-4 months while you regrow stronger hair. It's not broscience. It makes perfect sense that for the follicle to regrow a stronger terminal hair, it needs to shed the existing hair. HANG IN THERE!!
 

That Guy

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Okay, but what about the itch and tingle? Is it from the shedding or DHT?

I just picked up some Nizoral, so I hope it won't be too little too late. :confused:
 

buckthorn

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Okay, but what about the itch and tingle? Is it from the shedding or DHT?

I just picked up some Nizoral, so I hope it won't be too little too late. :confused:

if you continue to get the itching, tingling, or crawling after like 4-5 months, I would personally reconsider taking finasteride. I don't know why more people don't state this when talking about finasteride. Your scalp in it's healthy state, like the rest of your skin, doesn't feel like anything. You should NOT be experiencing these sensations, ever, any where on the body. The nervous system sends these singles when there is an IRRITANT. Just like an itch. I wish I knew better when I took finasteride and quite way sooner. I was getting pinpoint burning and crawling. 4 months completely off and it's subsiding finally.
 

That Guy

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Well, the Nizoral definitely curbed the itching.

It's coming up on 3 months I've been on the treatments. Still sheddin' like hell despite having improved hair growth and thickness around the temples and what remains of my hairline - no bald spots on the crown or vertex yet which is surprising me given how much I shed. Ugh how long does this last?
 

GoldenMane

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Ive had heavy shedding every year without any noticeable decline. Usually starting in MArch and ending in August. 150-200 hairs a day, mostly from the donor zone.
I guess as long as you're maintaining/regrowing, don't worry about shedding?
 

That Guy

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Ive had heavy shedding every year without any noticeable decline. Usually starting in MArch and ending in August. 150-200 hairs a day, mostly from the donor zone.
I guess as long as you're maintaining/regrowing, don't worry about shedding?

That's the philosophy I'm sticking with.
 

Vesemir

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I'm on the exact same boat as you my friend. I'm on finasteride for 3 months now, and after the first two months I started shedding like crazy. Also with a lot of itching. How have the last weeks been for you?
 

That Guy

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I'm on the exact same boat as you my friend. I'm on finasteride for 3 months now, and after the first two months I started shedding like crazy. Also with a lot of itching. How have the last weeks been for you?

Shedding aside, last few weeks have been fine.
 
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