What to do when the big 3 dont work

[KeyserSoza]

???

procepia, min and nizoral - 10months, steady decline.........


what else can you do

 

[wesleyBelgium]

try a higher dht blokker than fina ? -> dutasteride (the originals : avodart)

you can also try add a topical anti-androgen : flutamide 2%

maybe a higer minoxidil : xandrox 15%

and a laserhelmet

i think thats all that you can try... thats the limit ...

how long do you take fina now ? its important to waith a 6 to 12 months before saying that it dont work...
how long do you use minoxidil ? and what % ? 2 or 5 ? and keto (nizoral) how long do you use this ?

for keto i think its safe to use only 2 times a week (always 3days between , and leave it 5min on the scalp before washing out....)

 

[CCS]

I advise against the laser helmet.
Dutasteride can save more hair, but it inhibits 94% of your serum DHT, including over 50% of 5ar1. I have not heard of side effects being common, but if you need any DHT, that is a lot to be inhibiting.

Flutamide is experimental. Maybe try it. But it is best for small patches. I would not put it all over your head.
spironolactone is known to be safe. Not as effective as propecia, but worth adding in combo if you can afford it.

My advice: get Nizoral 2%. Use it 3x per week. And on the other 4 days, use BodyShop Ginger from Amazon, $10 per 250mL bottle, which has Piroctone Olamine in it.

And an experimental idea: make your own lavender essential oil topical. Super cheap, but that stuff works in many different ways, though not studied much on scalp hair.

Only other suggestion: Tricomin, if you can afford it.

Or get minoxidil with azelaic acid and retin-A in it from dr lees on minoxidil.com. Minoxidil only works on hair follicles that have a certain active gene that is usually in back, but on some people is in front. Worth trying it both places, but some people don't have the gene and don't respond.

 

[hairlossisevil]

CCS why on earth would you advise against the laser helmet? He's got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

He can also try topical corticosteroids. Bethametasone or Hydrocortisone for example. Usually it's inflammation that's stoping minoxidil and Finasteride to work.

 

[SE-freak]

He can also try topical corticosteroids. Bethametasone or Hydrocortisone for example. Usually it's inflammation that's stoping minoxidil and Finasteride to work.

Topical corticosteroids result in skin layer thinning over time which we do not want, as a thicker skin can probably support follicles of larger diameter.

 

[nuttyrich]

Topical Corticosteroids is NOT a good idea as the person said it thins the scalp. I see you say Propecia, is this propecia you got from a REAL pharmacy?What minoxidil are you using, foam, 5 % name brand generic? Is the Nizoral 2 % used 3X a week? Are you applying the rogaine 2 X a DAY like they say. I'm asking basic questions here to maybe find a reason why you haven't had any stoppage of hair loss yet. I know it can take at least a YEAR to see some results, but you should have at least slowed down the hair loss a bit. If you have TRUE PROPECIA from a local pharmacy (not mail order) and you don't see results, give it a few more months. Here are your options assuming you have legit propecia and are using Nizoral 2 % and rogaine 2 X a day. I would stay on for a few more months at least. I got decent results from the same meds you were on in a year but got the best at 2 years!

Option #1 Raise the dosage of your propecia, get on Proscar, I would take the whole 5 mg! Personally If you have NO stoppage of hair loss and it's just getting worse this is a good option.

Option #2 I don't know of any reputable doctors that sell higher percentage of rogaine than Dr Lee, so even though I don't use him you can get 15 % minoxidil from him.

#3 If option 1 & 2 fail after 6 months go on dutasteride, and stay on rogaine and Nizoral. I say reserve dutasteride as a last case scenario. Please remember I saw okay results from proscar and minoxidil and nixoral but took me 2 years to reach my PEAK!

Word of advice many think they are NOT stopping their hair loss, but many times it is, maybe take a photo and compare it to 10 months ago. Sometimes we have expectations that the drugs cannot provide. What Norwood were you before starting? Remember slowing hair loss is still "winning the battle".

 

[KeyserSoza]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Heres the thing. been losing for just over three years now. At 23 i started losing quite quickly in the temple region only. Got on it real early with prescriptin proscar (thats the 5mg right) and kirkland minoxidil 5%. Used for a year, gave it twelve months, cutting the pills in quaters and twice a day for minoxidil, always. it didnt stop or halt the hairloss. my temples started to decline and the front became a little thiner, still quite fast.
So after the year i stopped both and tried dutasteride for 6 months, one capsule a day. didnt notice any gains still losing plus i was worried due to all the negative feed back and if you look at the success stories, not much with dutasteride.

So after 6 months I went on rogaine foam and fincar (still cutting in quaters). Its been about 10months on both and my temples are gone esp my right one. My front is very thin, theres like a line up in the middle and you can see the progression from the temples along the sides to the crown now if you know what i mean. I have to keep it real short. Its heartbreaking....i did everything right...i got on the big three early (oh sorry i have used nizoral 2 to 3 times weekly all along), i would ahve been happy with maintaince and stuck to it religiously. I took photos with my old moblie and theres a dramatic loss. Its quite funny (more like cruel) how i used to think it was really bad but i'd kill for the hair i had even six months ago. my hair a year ago while obviously still going bald was still pretty good.

It just seems to go so fast though. I had such thick hair up unti l23, the hairdresser always used to this in out and comment how htick it was. Some of friends were losing it. Then all of a sudden i start and acclerate and overtake them, im now the worst. God i've seen guys who where clearly balding along time before me and they still look like they havnt lost anymore meanwhille i'm quickly losing everything.

Its really hard to take. you wouldnt believe how many times i've looked in the mirror reciting, god i wish i had hair, i wish i had hair, anything just give me my hair back (or maybe you would . I know it seems like vanity and it just might be but it hurts alot. Nothing seems worth it anymore you know, sure go on holiday..who cares i'll be bald etc etc. I'm trying to beat it, as of course its not healthy but it really has effected my confidence.


Anyway enough of the sad stuff. Just wanted to thank you. I'm off the big three now for 2 weeks about. I havent noticed a difference but wondering what should i do if i start shedding. go back on when it hasnt worked (yes it may have been slowing it sown but if thats the case....is there such thing as 'flash' balding lol). or not. Or i may just give it 6 months for my body to rid it self of all and just massively up the dosage to 5mg and use 15% min....


Funny though, before this I never evem thought about how bald guys, esp young ones felt about it all. Like everytime you play sport or do something and theres a bald guy, its always how their descriped.Also with woman...its oh hes bald but got great blah blah...sucks but i guess its how it works right.


Honestly hope the best for you guys and hope your having better luck. And although it didnt work for you'd be better for trying it. I dont blame the min/pro for the loss, as started using them for a reason and at worst I just didnt respond to so dont be afraid to give them a go if your reading this and considering it...what have you got to lose......hair??

 

[hairlossisevil]

He can also try topical corticosteroids. Bethametasone or Hydrocortisone for example. Usually it's inflammation that's stoping minoxidil and Finasteride to work.

Topical corticosteroids result in skin layer thinning over time which we do not want, as a thicker skin can probably support follicles of larger diameter.

Yes corticosteroids do that on their own. But if you combine it with Retin-A you're suppose to counter the skin thinning.

https://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/interact/v ... 3&p=466796

 

[nuttyrich]

Dr.Brown makes some serious claims " growth within 21 days" when you see stuff like that, best thing to do is click the X on the article, in fact retin-a is known to cause some shedding when first beginning, some studies say it can *maybe* grow some hair on it's own but it's really used to enhance minoxidil absorption. Remember anyone can make a patent, and since she's a doctor she can mix whatever she wants and can charge whatever she wants. We know corticosteroids DO THIN, her saying Retin-a "Supposed" to offset it, I just don't buy it! If the Big 3 don't work bank your life this won't do a thing except make your wallet thinner, just like that corticosteroid will thin the scalp!


Regards,
Rich

 

[billythekid]

hey CCS, why do you advise against the laser helmet?

I have built one and am really hopeful.

i value your opinion on hairloss matters, so can you shed some light as why you would advise against the use of lasers?

 

[Petchsky]

Because there is no real proof they work, the studies done on them are poor, and because the only people who report success with them are on a load of other hair loss meds. This is my opinion, may be wrong, but i'd say the jury is still out

 

[billythekid]

well the jury is out on every product. nothing works, until it works for YOU.

i was looking for answers regarding safety or for whatever reason CCS specifically advised against usage.

 

[SE-freak]

well the jury is out on every product. nothing works, until it works for YOU.

That would put all scam in the same bag with medication that is heavily backed up by medical data. Do you think that testing everything that comes to hand or getting enthusiastic with other people's claims is a valid way of picking treatments?

 

[billythekid]

well the jury is out on every product. nothing works, until it works for YOU.

That would put all scam in the same bag with medication that is heavily backed up by medical data. Do you think that testing everything that comes to hand or getting enthusiastic with other people's claims is a valid way of picking treatments?

well then, what do you suggest genius?

the guy clearly said the big 3 don't work for him. since there are no other 'proven' treatments, should he give up completely?

 

[SE-freak]

well the jury is out on every product. nothing works, until it works for YOU.

That would put all scam in the same bag with medication that is heavily backed up by medical data. Do you think that testing everything that comes to hand or getting enthusiastic with other people's claims is a valid way of picking treatments?

well then, what do you suggest genius?

the guy clearly said the big 3 don't work for him. since there are no other 'proven' treatments, should he give up completely?

Now I picture you wearing your laser helmet, asking me that very question: "what do you suggest genius?"

 

[billythekid]

Now I picture you wearing your laser helmet, asking me that very question: "what do you suggest genius?"

lol. you still cannot imagine how ridiculous they look until you wear one.

i wont feel stupid even if the treatment does nothing. no harm in trying.

though, i am expecting results. otherwise i would not bother.

the only positive reassurance i have that these may actually work is that some of the long term posters on regrowth are reporting results.

 

[CCS]

CCS why on earth would you advise against the laser helmet? He's got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

He could lose $700 and a lot of time.

He can also try topical corticosteroids. Bethametasone or Hydrocortisone for example. Usually it's inflammation that's stoping minoxidil and Finasteride to work.

It is conclusively known that corticosteroids damage hair and scalp in the long run. To fight inflammation, use nizoral. 2% if needed.

 

[KeyserSoza]

So i;ve been of all but nizoral for about a month now.

Hair loss still declining..no surprise. My temples are now approaching my crown.....the whole apparent male pattern baldness pattern.

So im guessing now my only two choices are dutas or 5mg of procepia and 15% min.

Which, in your opinon is better - 5mg of procepia/proscar or dutasteride.

Thanks for the info and advice guys.

God i wish they would hurry up and cure this, i'd like to feel 'whole' again

 

[CCS]

hey CCS, why do you advise against the laser helmet?

I have built one and am really hopeful.

i value your opinion on hairloss matters, so can you shed some light as why you would advise against the use of lasers?

I've never seen any proof that it works, and it does not sound intuitive either. If it is cheap to make and you can multi-task while you wear it, I guess give it a try. But definitely don't spend more than $60 on it.

 

[global]

He can also try topical corticosteroids. Bethametasone or Hydrocortisone for example. Usually it's inflammation that's stoping minoxidil and Finasteride to work.

Topical corticosteroids result in skin layer thinning over time which we do not want, as a thicker skin can probably support follicles of larger diameter.

1% hydrocortisone applied every other day when applied to SCALP skin will NOT induce thinning.