I'm 27, started noticing thinning at 22. I used minoxidil for a few years along with a few B vitamins, and have also tried Nizoral, Nioxin, and Regenepure. I thought the minoxidil worked somewhat, but eventually I got tired of the droplets so I stopped using it altogether because I found it annoying. I know you're supposed to do it twice a day, but I couldn't do it during the day because it looked stupid since I was going to work and at night it was uncomfortable to go to sleep with, and if I wanted to use it when I got home but I wouldn't be home every night so I'd miss the schedule. Also, it's awkward to explain to girls why your head is wet and slightly sticky let alone wearing hats. I didn't bother with the foam because I read it isn't as effective as the liquid, although it's not as messy.
The picture "2014" is from Christmas 2014, around the time I decided to give up, and "Summer2014" is when I had an "ah, screw it" moment and shaved it all off myself; my friends and coworkers were pretty shocked when I did that. All other pictures are recent. Despite my hair situation looking pretty dire, my friends and family do not comment on it, and tell me it looks fine when I ask them occasionally. I am 6'1" so maybe my shorter friends don't get to see it as much.
My dad, age 60, has a full head of salt and pepper hair, and my paternal grandmother's family must have been partly descended from lions with the manes they all have. My maternal grandmother's family, though, has a history of cueball heads, and my maternal grandfather had thin, greasy hair most of his life. I can't tell what Norwood I am because it seems so patchy, like I have 2 or 3 different bald spots. For a time, I thought I had telogen effluvium. Is there any hope left for my head? Is it worth hanging on to what hair I have or should I just shave it all off for good? Thanks!
