shinytop

Hi all, I've been taking 1.25 mg finasteride for 4 years and 5% regaine foam for 2 years. I've also had a 2400 FUE for the hairline. Despite all my efforts I'm still slowly thinning at the top of my head, so I'd like to try laser. I realise the majority of folks think laser is a load of rubbish but I'd like to give it a try as it seems to be my only other option. Unfortunately there are a couple of problems. 1) I have ME/CFS so wouldn't be able to hold a laser comb to my head for the required amount of time. This leaves me with the laser helmets as the best option. 2) I can't afford the full retail price for the igrow helmet. Unfortunately their UK website simply change $ for ?. So to cut a long story short, I'm looking for the best value laser helmet I can find. I'd be happy with a second hand helmet but can't find any on eBay. I did however find a Chinese copy called ATS for ?250 on eBay. My worry is it will simply be a cycle helmet with pretty lights. So what do you think guys?

Thanks, hsrp10. we've certainly got a tough combo to deal with! Yes I'll try to gradually reduce my Nizoral usage and replace with a fragrance free shampoo for most days. Do you use a hairdryer at all? I find by SD flares up badly if I allow it to dry naturally. The same for my face - I have to dry pronto!

Thanks guys. I'll try not to freak out too much. MPB is a cruel thing. I've used Nizoral for years, not for MPB but seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema that affects my scalp mainly. I'm sensitive to fragrance so Nizoral is quite good in that respect as its fragrance free. If I am to reduce it's use, I would need to find something that is fragrance free and also treats seborrheic dermatitis. I looked into Alpecin but that's got some pretty harsh ingredients including fragrance. My other issue is excessive sebum production. Finasteride doesn't appear to have reduced it any. I spoke to my G.P. about low dose accutane but they won't entertain the idea. Thanks for your support guys. Really appreciated :-)

Hi folks, I've been on generic propecia 1.25mg for at least 4 years, Nizoral is my main shampoo. I use regaine foam 5% once a day. I also had 2500 FUE around 18 months ago. Up until even 6 weeks ago my hair was doing pretty well. The hair loss was minimal and the hair felt thick (ish) and strong. But for some reason since then I've started shedding a lot. Probably the worst in 3 years. The hair that's lost is very miniturised. I really can't understand why this is happening. The only things I can think of are: We're in July and the weather has been quite warm; I've been taking antihistamines for my hayfever; My healthy diet has slipped a little. More dairy and sugar; So I guess what I'm asking if what can I do to stop the loss? Super-healthy diet? Up the propecia dose? I'm also thinking of starting trx2 or saw palmetto. I'd love to know your thoughts.

No not yet. The last week in November, all being well.

Does anyone know what ever happened to the idea of cloning a hair follicle from the donor area and transplanting it? As with most "breakthrough"s in medical science I read about, it seems to have disappeared into the ether! Companies delivering promising clinic trials are often bought out by someone else, then it all goes quiet. I do wonder if something like cell therapy won't ever happen because there is not as much money to be made as treating symptoms i.e. a patient continues to spend money for the rest of their life. They probably made a cure for the common cold decades ago, but think what impact that would have on the economy. Its the same reason why we are still using the archaic internal combustion engine. Sorry, I went off on a conspiracy rant there LOL. But you get the idea

Thanks for all the thoughts everyone. I'll just keep in mind that hopefully I'll have a great result and be grinning from ear to ear My biggest concern about shaving my head )and going back to work) is it's full of weird angles and lumps and bumps and the top and back. As my hair has got thinner, you can really feel it! I'm going to look absolutely dreadful when shaven. If its not enough to go bald, I have to have a hideous head too I have a friend who is bald and his head is the perfect shape. If I had a head like him, I probably wouldn't be committing myself to a life of HT's and medication. As I work in an office (smartly dressed) I don't think I would get away with a hat of any kind.

I guess we can never really be sure what we are buying online

I'm booked in for my first HT in 5 months. I've been on finasteride for 4 years, but seen further loss in that time. So I was thinking to start Regaine 5 minoxidil now? But I'm worried about the duration of shedding and how much I will lose. Is it possible that the shedding phase will happen but those hairs will never grow back? If on the day of the HT I'm still in the shedding phase, it may seem like I need more grafts than I really do. Love to hear your thoughts.

How about inhouse pharmacy? Ive bought other things from them and they have worked. Dutagen 0.5mg 30 Capsules/Pack (Dutasteride 0.5mg)

I've always struggled with low self esteem, especially since losing my hair. Unfortunately it does bother me what people think. I guess that's the same for most men that have a HT. If we were along on this earth with only a HT clinic, would we care about being bald? i bet not. But you're right of course. I just need to keep things in perspective. Passport control is going to be the least of my worries. Going back to work is going to be very very though. Just got to push on through

Sounds like its going to plan, David. Best of luck I'm considering starting minoxidil in the 5 months in the run up to my HT.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I guess it's just one more hurdle to jump isn't it? Pretty minor in the scheme of things so I'll just have to be brave Still, now I know the issue is likely to arise, I can prepare myself for it. No nasty surprises. Hows the HT healing, David?

Thanks for the replies. I've been on fin for 4 years. Its slowed the rate of loss down to its lowest since I started shedding, 14 years ago. But it is still slowly going, so I'm thinking I need to start on the minoxidil. It's only 5 months to my HT. Do you think I should wait until after the HT has fully healed before starting minoxidil or just go for it now?

Hi, I've read a lot on the internet about the benefits to increasing the blood flow to the scalp. Apprently it can slow, stop and even reverse hairloss. This seems to be backed up by how Rogaine/Regaine hows - irritating the skin to increase blood flow to the scalp. Is there any truth to any of this? I only ask because my circulation isn't that great. At night in bed my face, forehead and front of my scalp is cold to the touch. I wondered if this could explain some of the hairloss there? Its easy to rectify that by wearing a beanie hat in bed. But lots of people say wearing a beanie will cause hair loss and not let the head breath. So, I'm not sure whether to leave alone or start wearing a beanie in bed? You'd think if blood flow to the scalp was the cause of hair loss, the sides would go too, so I'm not sure.