What do new hairs look like?

[Neuro]

Are they thin and vellus-like at first, and then darken and thicken?

Or do they come in dark and thick from the start?



I see a lot of small, light-colored hairs coming in along my hairline. I hope they're going to grow longer and darker. However, if they're genuine vellus hairs, then can I assume that Propecia isn't working for me after a year on the stuff? By the way, I have been experiencing the most depressing shed only on the top of my head for the past six months. This stuff has done nothing but obliterate my self-image.

 

[Far Too Young]

The first batch of growth is, more often than not, of that peach fuzz variety. They may grow into healthy terminal hairs over time or simply stay as they are. But it should serve as a good indicator that loss is beginning to halt. The follicles along your hairline are the most sensitive on your head, and if DHT is having little enough effect on those hairs, you should take heart that it probably isn't ravaging the rest of your scalp like it has been.

I doubt that the propecia is the cause of your shedding. It is suggested that it takes 2 years of use to see full regrowth and the effective halting of your hairloss. It depends how aggressive your hairloss was. If propecia is able to lower your DHT levels below that which your follicles are sensitive to it may take sometime to clear that DHT out of your system (especially if you have either high DHT levels or low follicular DHT tolerance or, if you're unlucky, both). Have you sensed a stopping in the shedding? And are the Vellus hairs that have appeared in areas that were bald before the shed or have come during the shed. They could simply be the result of the normal process of miniaturization that is taking place as you shed these hairs.

 

[Neuro]

I am only 18. I had a slight receding hairline, I panicked, and began using Propecia one year ago. It worked well, but I didn't know that you have to take it for life for it to be effective. After I stopped using it for a week last May, shedding began. I started to use Propecia and have been using it since, but the shedding has gone nonstop. Maybe I see a slight cessation in the amount of shedding, but the point is that it has continued nonstop for six months. One year ago, my hair was incontrovertibly fine. Now, it's terrible. The shedding continues and it looks like thinner hairs are falling out now. I've also developed some dandruff, which was never a problem for me before. I just don't know why this is happening to me.

The vellus hairs are growing in an area that used to be bare skin.

 

[IBM]

I got some tiny dark hair on my hairline (most on my left temple). Clearly its growing so i think they'll be like normal hair.

 

[Strat54]

On my left temple I regrew tiny black hairs and with time they grew larger.

On my right temple I grew peach fuzz hair that grew longer and then became darker and thicker, for some time they looked like pubic hair.

I also have lots peach fuzz hairs on my hairline but they refuse to grow or change color.

None of my new hair looks like normal hair. Close, but not quite the same.

 

[Far Too Young]

Neuro,

I'm in the same boat. I haven't started Propecia, but plan to - I have the same sort of shedding and scalp conditions you are describing. Did you experience any sides?

 

[MPBWarrior]

I've also developed some dandruff, which was never a problem for me before.

use nizoral shampoo. it takes care of the dandruff and has a little bit of anti-androgen properties.

 

[MPBWarrior]

However, if they're genuine vellus hairs, then can I assume that Propecia isn't working for me after a year on the stuff?

propecia is very likely maintaining healthy hairs that u have. i'd ride the shed out if i were u. i know it must be hard but the alternative is giving it up and going back to the same situation u were in before that made u go on propecia in the first place.