PP2

My story is nearly the same as yours. I'm 22, but I began suffering from hair loss at age 20. I first started using Rogaine, then I quickly stopped after about of 2.5 months of using it because I didn't like it. Then I started using Propecia, and I have been on that for about 1.5 years now and I just started using nanogen for the past 2 months now. I have a very similar hair loss pattern as you. I'm currently losing my hair on the top (sides and back are thick) frontal third. I have been looking at Dr. Alexanders results in the past and they look very promising. I'm very anxious to see how yours turns out because it can give me an idea of what I will experience in the future. Best of luck to you

I totally feel your pain. I am currently in the same boat as you. I began losing my hair when I was 20, and I'm now 22 and lost quite a bit of my hair. Here's the link to my thread that might help: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/156973-newbie-22-yrs-old-hair-loss-plz-help.html Number one, stop worrying about it because stress can make it worse, much worse. Easier said than done. I was already under the normal stress every college student may have, but having to lose my hair out of no where made me become even more stressful. And I noticed my hair started to thinfall out more rapidly. I was freaking out, but there was a time where you just have to take a deep breath and focus. From then on I exercise everyday or do something everyday that will get rid of the stress. And try to start eating a balanced diet, here's why: The Best Foods for Healthy Hair : Hair Health : Men's Health Spotlight : MensHealth.com Stick with Propecia, it has definitely helped me keep the hair that I will be losing down the line. I know this is a hard time for you as it is with me. But have you ever considered shaving your head? Just something to consider trying before pursuing a hair transplant. Btw, as for a transplant you are way to young, and that includes me as well. The recommended age is between 24-28. Hope this helps and stay strong buddy

Just curious, what's the purpose of applying oil over the scar? Pro's and Cons?

I totally feel your pain, I'm in the same boat as you. I have visited several physicians who have all told me that the recommended age to get HT's is between the ages 25-28. I'm 22 and I have been taking Propecia for over a year now and it has worked very well. The side effects have not effected me at all but it's different for every person. Another great option that I have just started using this week is using Nanogen. It is used as a concealer to help cover up the area's where your hair is thinning out and it blends it extremely well with your natural hair. The results have been fantastic for me. It's a great option if want to go with the non-medical route. For more info check out (promotional link removed)

wb280, Thanks for the reply. Using Nanogen is looking very promising. It's so easy to use and it works great. I'm with you on that one, I think the toughest part will be to find a reputable surgeon because when I do decide to get a HT done, I want to do it right the first time. And finding a good surgeon is key. I got some homework cut out for me.

HairIsThere, I greatly appreciate the reply, that's very interesting to hear that you got a HT done at such a young age. Was your hair loss like mine at that age? Where did you get it done? And after the HT, did you notice any more of your hair begin to thin out in the area's that you were losing it? How many HT's have you done? DMac, Great advice, thanks for the reply. How long have you been on propecia since you started taking it at 22? Where is your hair thinning out? Have you noticed you hair continue to thin out slowly even on the drug like me? Have you ever considered doing a HT? Btw, speaking of partying, yesterday I went out for the first time using the concealer and it worked like a dream. Even after all the dancing and sweating it held up very well. I can actually go out now with a lot more self-confidence without even worrying about my hair. Its a great product

Bill, Thank you very much for the reply. As much as I would like to get a transplant now, after all the advice I've been given I'm going to be definitely looking into to waiting it out and doing some research. In the meantime, I had just started using Nanogen yesterday and it works FANTASTIC . A total day and night difference in my hair. My hair looks much fuller and my scalp is no longer visible. I was amazed on how well the Nanogen fibers blend it with my existing hair, it looks very natural. I highly recommend using it!

Bump. Anyone know the answer to my question above ^?

Another Question.... Even though there are healthy hairs in the areas where I'm losing my hair, I feel like the healthy hair that I have in the area where I'm losing it will be gone several years from now. Say if I do get a transplant tomorrow, is it a good idea for a physician to say fill in transplanted hair into the healthy hair that already exits? What are the pro's and con's about doing something like this?

I totally understand your situation. I'm 22 years old and I've been losing my hair since I was 20. I am also in a rush into doing a hair transplant, but this is something that you don't want to rush in doing. If you do in the future to decide to get a HT done, you want to do it once and get it right the first time. I hate to tell ya, but you (and I) are too young. I'm from CA, and I have visited 3 different physicians who all told me that I am too young to do a HT and that I need to wait it out because male pattern baldness is unpredictable. The physicians told me the youngest ages they would consider doing a HT on is between 25-28. Check out the thread I recently posted, I had similar questions and got some great advice to take into account. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/156973-newbie-22-yrs-old-hair-loss-plz-help.html Hope this helps.

EpilepticSceptic, Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't even thinking about that, very very good to know mattj, Thanks for the reply. It has always been in the back of my mind whether I should buzz my hair or not. I have buzzed my hair a few times in the past and remembering that I didn't like it, but I could improvise under my situation at this point. I'm just not sure if I would be ready or comfortable because it would be a dramatic change in look. I will always keep that in mind because that option is always available. Buzzing one's hair can actually look very good, I have a cousin who is about 6 years older than me who has lost majority of his hair and decided to buzz it completely and looks very good with it. I will definitely consider doing it if I have to, but for now I will see where my hair takes me. When I say that my hair is still falling out I mean that my hair is continuing to thin, sorry for the misunderstanding. But over time the area where I'm going bald is very slowly getting bigger and more noticeable.

Sparky, Thank you very much for the reply. I used Rogain for 3 months because I noticed my hair progressively got worse and worse month after month. After rubbing in the foam, I noticed my hands was had some hair in it and I felt like I was just losing the last bit of hair of what I already had. And those hairs never grew back, and so I just felt like it was making it worse. I probably should have it for at least a year to get the full effect but I was not comfortable using it. I didn't like the fact how it made my hair very sticky on a daily basis. In the meantime, I am going to order a set of the Nanogen product and see where that takes me. Thanks again for your advice, I greatly appreciate it. EpilepticSceptic, Thank you very much for your reply. I totally understand where your coming from. Since I'm young, I'm just vulnerable into rushing things simply because its never easy losing one's hair at a youthful age. But I will really take in your advice and definitely taking my time into looking up what HT is all about and finding a good physician that I feel comfortable will do a great job. This is something I don't want to look back and say.....I should have done that. Your absolutely right; if I do decide to get a HT done, I want to do it once and get it right the first time. Since I have to wait a few years, I have some homework cut out for me. I greatly appreciate your help. Why even after a HT, do you still have to be on finasteride for the rest of your life? Shouldn't the transplanted hair be permanent if your using hair from the back of your scalp?

Hi everyone, I am 22 years old and I started to lose my hair when I was 20. My hair is thinning out on the top of my scalp. My sides and back are very thick. I also attached a picture of my hair loss. I'm an active person, I play a lot of sports and love hanging out with friends. And ever since I noticed thinning in my hair, I am constantly getting picked on and teased. It's not fun. My self-esteem has gone down big time. It truly sucks losing it at this age and I have read several threads of people losing their hair at younger ages, so I feel lucky. When I first noticed that that my hair was beginning to thin out I immediately began to use Rogain foam. I used that for a about 2-3 months and wasn't seeing any results. Then I stopped using rogain and instead pursued using Propecia. I have been on Propecia for a little over a year now and I have noticed that my hair loss has significantly slowed down, but slowly I can still see that my hair is still falling out. The side affects of Propecia has not affected me that much at all. I was really considering possibly getting a transplant done using Strip method but I have been in contact with several physicians who tell that I'm too young. The recommended age for HT in young men is somewhere between 24-28 if my sources are correct. But WHY? Does it really make a difference whether I get the surgery done now or 2 years from now? I don't want to have to keep taking drugs and waiting it out because it will only get worse and worse, I would like to just get a HT done and get a full head of hair asap! In the end, I feel like if I just keep taking Propecia and wait it out for another 2 years, I feel the area that I'm losing my hair will only get worse. Advice PLZZ? I was also considering using Nanogen for the time being as a cover up. Good or bad idea? Any help, advice, thoughts or concerns would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us