Rick055

In all the ways I've heard it said, that's the best.

I know it's been said, but I need to hear it. I'm 37, a NW 3V, and I'm in my third month of propecia. I'm shedding. My crown went from thin to... Somebody please reinforce this is an indication it's going to work for me, 'cause I'm freaking.

I recently began a job indoors in a fairly brightly lit room. While I don't think anyone has noticed my use of dermmatch, I was wondering if anyone has an opinion as to which concealer is best under lights.

Richie, how old are you? Just out of curiosity, what did Dr. Feller say about your donor supply? I'm just trying to get an idea of how to compare to myself, as I have a similar pattern of loss. I am 38 and my crown is real thin, the front is holding okay with some thinning on the sides (NW 3V). So I know I need a few hundred per side, and am guessing about 2500 in the crown.

Call me crazy, I really can't see anything that looks like a scar.

When do things typically calm down enough such that people won't notice a surgery?

When do things typically calm down enough such that people won't notice a surgery?

Thank you, Jessica.

DeWayne- How's it working with the androgel? I understand androgel can raise DHT pretty good.

Some even feel that 1/4 pill EOD is as effective as ED.

How long does it take for the body to be rid of propecia? (not to be misunderstood with how long does it act to reduce DHT in tissue)

Your hair looks great, but...there's something wrong with your face! Seriously, that's a mop.

I only read the titles, but isn't there a flaw in thinking something that's effective for alopecia areata and/or contact dermatitis would be effective for treating alopecia androgenica?

I believe this is the reasoning behind Dr. Lee's shampoo: http://www.minoxidil.com/subpages/products/products.php?c=usa&z=30004 See item #420

I don't know about evidence, at least in terms of clinical trials, but I have always heard that the efficacy of minoxidil is, to a point, dose dependent.

If you get a tablet stuck in your urethra, I suppose it could affect ejaculation.

If it's me you're asking, test cyp IM.

Yep, I get this part and again, I am not a believer in LLLT. I more wanted to make sure my understanding of minoxidil was correct (i.e. I thought your comment might have implied we now did know how minoxidil worked).

Dr. Feller- While I am also of the opinion that LLLT holds no merit, you state that "Bill, they can't even offer a clinical mechanism of action as to how such "treatment" could work." Can't the same be said about minoxidil?

South Carolina, As you already know, finasteride is theorized to help MPB by lowering DHT in the scalp. By restoring your hormones, you have likely increased serum DHT and, consequently, DHT in the scalp. Removing finasteride also likely gave the DHT a chance to do some damage. That said, I may have a suuggestion about which you can discuss with your doctors. Many men opt for trasdermal testosterone replacement therapy, either by gel, cream, or patch. However, compared to shots (IM injections), the norm is that transdermals increase DHT much more than injections. This is because they interact with 5-AR in the skin. I began TRT with androgel. My already top of range DHT skyrocketed 3 fold and I began shedding. I have since changed to injections, and the shedding has stopped (along with normal DHT). Further, I added 1 mg propecia EOD about a month and a half ago I want to see how I stabilize and whether or nor I can grow back any native hair and then consider a transplant. At any rate, this is not medical advice and something you should discuss with your doctor. I know a fair amount about the topic, if you want, you can shoot me a PM to discuss further. Good luck.

wynter- I don't mean this as a flame. At 38 years old, I can look back (as can many of us, judging by the caring posts) and appreciate the impetuousness of youth. I said something similar to my father back when I had the most minimal hairloss and wanted a procedure to fill in the crown. I would have had to have used a doctor who was just making the transition from plugs to micro grafts (awful to bad) and has since garnered a reputation for doing less than stellar transplants. I was adamant about having it done. I told my father "life is short". He said "If you make the wrong decisions, every day can feel like an eternity." The question isn't whether or not you will get change; you will. The question is whether you will effectuate the kind of change you desire. You have a preconceived notion in your head about how things are going to go, but reality may be far different. I am glad today I followed his advice. Again, not trying to flame you. Just take a deep breath and think.

I'm still not convinced and amawaiting a response from a doctor. In the meantime: "So at least as far as muscle is concerned, testosterone is the primary active androgen. This is not to say that administering exogenous DHT is not without any anabolic effect. It actually does have some anabolic activity in the muscle, albeit significantly weaker than that of an equal amount of testosterone. This is due to its quick breakdown by 3a-HSD into the weak metabolite 5alpha-androstan-3a,17b-diol. If this enzyme were somehow blocked, it is likely that DHT would exhibit very potent anabolic effects on muscle." It is more anabolic, ie protein sparing than testosterone. As far as androgenic, it is also much more androgenic as opposed to testosterone. One other point, DHT is of paramount importance in the area of neurological efficiency, ie recruitment of muscle fibers as well as adaptive response ie recuperation. Have any sources handy? I'd really like a definitive answer for a couple of reasons. Sorry to hijack the thread.

@ dr. lindsey - why did you d/c finasteride if you were having success with it? I understand it was the appearance that looked worse, relative to the prostate tissue finasteride had shrunk that made them appear to have a higher gleason score. Where are the studies? @ John S. - I agree with everything you say except that DHT is more anabolic than test. While I believe DHT is much more androgenic than testosterone, I believe testosterone is more anabolic than DHT. I use finasteride along with a-dex, among other things, and have no sides thus far. In fact, I'd say my sex drive is increased.

I understand. And it's not that I could "spot" a doctor's work, but if you showed me ten people who had a transplant and I knew 5 were Armani and 5 were, say, H&W, I'd be willing to bet I'd be somewhat accurate in figuring out which were which.

IMO I don't think it's necessarily a "cookie-cutter" issue. I think that any cosmetic surgeon - much like any artist - probably develops a personal style which will run throughout their work. Despite the period, you can always spot the respective works of Van Gogh, Matisse, etc... And it's not that I think talented docs can't change gears; but I do think individual style comes into play.