thebmkb

Hi everyone, I meant to update awhile ago, but just forgot. I went ahead and got 1500 grafts done back in February, primarily the temples and rebuilding the front hairline. I took the Propecia that my doctor gave me (about a two week supply), and then ordered generic propecia (finasteride from helpful-online pharmacy). My questions are regarding my hair flaking / some dandruff, and also acne. Has anyone experienced or heard of these side effects by taking finasteride? I always had mild acne, but lately my acne has really gotten bad. I continued to take the finasteride hoping that it wasn't the cause, but I was so fed up with the acne (forehead and cheeks) that I stopped taking it for the past week or so. I still have quite a bit of acne, but it does appear to be "smaller", though I can't tell for sure. Also, my hair has been much producing more flakier and having dandruff? I've never had this problem and so I'm not sure if this is related to the hair transplant procedure or finasteride? Or maybe it's neither? But again, I've never had this issue, and my hair definitely is flakier, and can be proven when I just rub my hand in my hair and dandruff falls out. Any advice? I'm using the same all natural shampoo that I always have, and wash my hair with it every other day, and the days I don't use the shampoo, just use water in my hair. The reason I mentioned the two weeks of using Propecia is because I don't recall any increased acne or flaking, as opposed to the generic...

Oh ok, that makes sense. I'll alternate using the nioxin shampoo / conditioner 2x a week, and then the nizoral 2x a week. Something like Mon / Wed for nioxin, Tues / Thurs for nizoral.

Sorry for the confusion, but do you mean using the niozral twice a week, and then nioxin shampoo / conditioner on two separate days during the week as well? Or would it be use nioxin shampoo / conditioner, and then work in the niozral once a week, or not even combining them in the same week and just going separate weeks?

Thanks Dr. Charles. My main concern is overdoing it. Like many, my hair loss really hurts my confidence, and so I want to do everything I can to be proactive. Of course, I don't want to do TOO much and mess myself up either! I know on a very basic level we always hear not to wash your hair every day as it needs nutrients, etc. and shampooing / conditioning everyday will affect that. So, considering I'm going to be using rogaine, and then likely a combo of nioxin shampoo / conditioner, and niozral, want to make sure I'm not overdoing it.

Thanks mate. Hope you're HT went well! I tried researching the nioxin shampoo / conditioner on amazon, but couldn't figure out which "system" to purchase? They also seemed really expensive (some of the systems were' over $45). Which one should I be purchasing? Also, do you use the Nizoral at all? And if so, how do you rotate that in considering you use nioxin every couple of days?

Thanks for the reply! What about the nioxin shampoo / conditioner? Is there a recommended frequency for washing your hair with this combo? If I use the Nizoral twice a week like you do (Mon / Thurs), could I still use the nioxin shampoo / conditioner 3x a week? I currently wash my hair with a herbal shampoo / conditioner every other day, and on the days I don't use it, just wash my hair with water.

Hi everyone, So after much consideration, I have decided to hold off the hair transplant procedure for now (I'm 24, and doctors have estimated about 1500-2000 grafts would be needed), since I am not 100% sure I want to jump right in. With that said, I want to attack this problem and do everything I can to combat my hairloss and improve my situation. I don't want to overdo it and risk unnecessary side effects, but I've read the section on this forum for different treatments, and am trying to come up with my best gameplan. Here is what I'm thinking so far -- 1. Propecia 2. Rogaine 3. The nioxin shampoo / conditioner 4. Niozral 5. The Toppik Hair Loss Spray. The thought process is take the propecia once a day, use the rogaine twice a day. Now I'm not sure about the frequency of the nioxin shampoo / conditioner. How often should I be using it? With regards to Niozral, it says every 3rd day to work it into the rotation, is that what others have found to be most effective? Lastly, the Toppik hair loss spray, does it make sense to use it if I'm using rogaine + shampooing / conditioning my hair? Overall, am I approaching this correctly? Is this overdoing it, or does this make sense? Thank you again.

Yeah, I definitely am leaning towards your viewpoint. I am thinking of going with the recommended doctor in Michigan. He's more expensive, but like you said, if it turns out bad, it can cost more than just money in the long run. Better to pay a little more now and be safe. However, I thought if people did have good experiences with this center, they could share, and I would consider it. No one has chimed in yet. Of course I'm still deciding on whether I should go through with the hair transplant or not! I asked in the other discussion forum and people are commenting right now. I am leaning towards doing it, but seems like some say I should take the meds first and hold off for a bit.

Toward the top of the page when you first enter this subforum. I've looked into getting propecia from an online pharmacy as well, so that would be a good thread to start (though I'm sure it's been asked and answered before).

I certainly think that would be great! But I'm not sure how realistic it is, since I seem to have read that propecia is more preventive instead of restoring much. I'm not so sure about rogaine though. While it may bring back some of my hair as others have said, won't I have to keep using it, and then if I stop using it (warning - obviously joke coming), I'll lose it? As in, what I regrew with rogaine, I lose if I stop using it. I just don't want to use rogaine the rest of my life, as I find it to be a hassle, as opposed to getting the hair transplant which would require me to take propecia, but at least I won't have to use the rogaine. I don't know if I'm being impatient, but just want to clarify my perspective and continue to discuss as this is obviously a huge decision.

No one has heard of or had any experience with HRS of Atlanta? Interesting. That makes me wary....

Thank you everyone for the advice! Here's my concern -- mattj - "You're unlikely to improve the front with drugs alone to the point where a transplant would be unnecessary, but the size of the procedure needed would be smaller." I'm trying to weigh the cost vs. benefit, and I keep thinking that if I'm going to have to get the procedure, I'd rather it be now (was planning on Thanksgiving week -if I decide to do it-), rather than waiting say another 6 months or 1 year, and getting it done at that time. Although I could theoretically need less, there's also the time aspect of about 1 year before the hair fully grows in, and so I'd like to get that started now. Obviously it will cost me more now as I haven't regrown any hair with the meds, but how many less grafts would I need say 6 months from now even if I did respond well to the propecia? I want to stay away from rogaine because I have read once you stop using it, you start losing the hair you regrew again. spanker - Going down to a 4 guard isn't bad at all. I never really get my hair cut that short anyway (I just don't think I have the right facial type for buzz cuts and short hair). I think 1500 grafts would seem conservative. And considering my hair loss right now, do you guys think I'll notice a good improvement? I feel that while I haven't lost THAT much hair, if I can get that density back, I'd feel so much better about myself. I've researched the methods (FUT vs. FUE) and some of the doctors (Dr. Arnowitz is recommended on this site, and seems to have good reviews in general). Not sure what else I need to be thinking about or looking into right now? I suppose I just want to make sure I'm not missing out any critical information as this is a major decision. The propecia is a must, which I understand. But as far as age and my hair loss, just want to see if my rationale for getting it done within the next few weeks makes sense (I do trust the doctor based on what I've read).

Hello everyone, First, this forum has been great. I've asked about various doctors and a question regarding HT, and everyone has been so helpful. Thank you for that. I wanted to make this thread as my all encompassing thread. Here is my situation I'm 24, about to be 25 in a couple months. I've been experiencing hair loss for about 3-4 years now. I tried laser treatment a couple years ago, but not sure how useful it ended being. Have not taken propecia or used rogaine yet. I am hesitant on rogaine because it's topical and twice a day which I think will be a pain for me, not to mention having to use it perpetually. The hair loss I have experienced has primarily been in the temples, but also now has went to the top of my hair, and a bit in the crown. It's really effecting my self esteem and confidence, even though my hair isn't necessarily "that bad", I still struggle with dealing my hair loss. This is obviously why I'm considering getting it done. I figure I'm still young, and why continue to struggle with this issue on a daily basis if I can take care of it now and be happy? I've seen a couple HT doctors. They have approximated 2000 grafts, from front to back. I thought it seemed a bit much, since I've seen pics of people with much worse hair loss than me, and after getting ~1500 grafts, seemed to have much better density. Any way, I have attached pictures to this message. These are probably as good as my h air looks (typically after I wash my hair and towel dry), otherwise on the bad days it looks worse because it ends up being flat on one side, can't style it, not enough hair to style, etc. Just a disaster. My questions are as follows -- 1. Considering my situation, does it make sense to go through with the HT procedure right now? 2. If I do go through with the procedure, I will be getting on the propecia afterward. But am wondering about shock hair loss? Is this expected, common, or atypical? 3. I am considering a couple different doctors (Hair Restoration Specialists of Atlanta, and then Dr. Arnowitz in Michigan). I can't find any info on HRS on this site, but when I google, I find good reviews on random websites. Should I be wary (the quoted price was ~6K for 2K grafts, whereas Dr. Arnowitz will be ~6700 for 1500 grafts). Both procedures would be FUT. 4. The dreaded scar. Just how short can I cut my hair and not have the scar noticeable? I never cut my hair short anyways, but just curious. Thank you so much for your time. Your opinions / perspective is invaluable.

Just wanted to bump to see if anyone has any advice! Thanks.

Just wanted to bump this thread to see if anyone can offer reviews / recommendations! Or also, sites where I could reviews of HT doctors (I can't seem to use this search function).