JohnnieBravo1

Thanks hairshopeing! You know what I found interesting about this whole experience- how much I learned about ht's and managing my existing hair AFTER my procedure compared to before. I just wanted to get it done and was a bit impatient so went straight into it without doing all of the necessary research like I really should have. I'm glad I came across this amazing website so I at least found a credible surgeon. Looking back i probably should have saved a bit more money and gone with a dr like rahal or konior. I really like the density of their results and also how they construct a plan with their patients for the future which dr path or I did not discuss. All in all though I am satisfied with my first ht. I might take some pictures when I grow my hair a little bit so everyone can get a better idea of what my hair looks like a bit longer with some product in it. I had it cut so short so it would match my other pics!

Hi All, Have just posted my 12 month results in my blog. Wish those who are about to have a ht in the near future or who have had one within the last 12 months all the best! Thank you for all your help and guidance over these crazy 12 months. All the best!

Ok, just purchased all the above for my 12 month challenge. Looking forward to updating you all with monthly progress pictures and brief summaries of how i feel it's all working! I'm going to get a haircut on Saturday and keep it at a similar length throughout the 12 months so we can more easily assess the results. Will be starting the new regime on Monday! Only thing I'm worried about at this stage is the massive shedding that awaits me from starting finestaride and changing to the new minoxidil formula. Time will tell! Thanks for all your input. Johnniebravo1

Yeah I'll do that if I'm not satisfied after 12 months. After quite a bit of research I've decided to do the following for the next 12 months and I'll be posting pictures each month to show any progress . I'll be starting this in approx 1 week. Rogain foam minoxidil in the morning Rogain liquid minoxidil in the evening 1.25 mg finestaride every day for 6 months, then reduce this to every second day 10% Azelaic acid cream every evening Regenpure shampoo every second day Volumising shampoo every other day Hopefully this routine will produce noticeable results after 12 months

Thanks for the feedback. I might try fin for 12 months with 5% minox and post monthly pictures. If I am not satisfied with the progress after 12 months then I might try dut for 12 months.

Also what are your thoughts on dutastaride? Have been doing quite a lot of research and found that many sources feel as though it is more effective than proscar/finestaride...

I agree 100% KO. It's only when I started looking at trying to reduce my monthly expenses that I really looked into my hair solution costs. The reason I didn't do this before was mainly because the company in sydney would always say that if I stopped using their products I would lose any hair that I had gained and saved, which was a scary thought, so I just continued with their minoxidil solution. I'm relieved to hear that a normal rogain foam or a generic version can provide similar results. Are there any recommendations with regards to shampoos and routines? What do you find works best for you?

Thanks Calgacus. In 2 weeks when my formula runs out I'll start using 5% minoxidil + start finestaride. I'll create a new thread where I will update pictures monthly over 12 months so everyone including myself can get a good insight into the results of 5% minoxidil with finestaride. I'm excited!

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think that I will be able to keep all the hair that I have regrown or saved if I switch to plain rogaine as it does not contain retin a? Do you think there is any benefits to mixing minoxidil with retin a or azelaic acid? I will be starting finestaride in a few weeks too.

Hi All, I have recently decided to stop using a minoxidil + retin a solution i have been using for a few years now because i just cannot afford it anymore from the Sydney company i am getting this from (costs $300 Aus per month). I am looking for some advise on what i should do now so i do not lose the hair that i have saved and regrown through my existing solution. The below are the options that i have come up with. 1. Rogain & Kirkland's minoxidil 2. Minoxidil formula with Retin A (possibly from Dr Klein's website) 3. Minoxidil formula with Azelaic Acid (possibly from Belgravia Centre) Obviously the first option is the cheapest, but i know that sometimes what you get is what you pay for and obviously like all of you out there i would like to choose the best option for maintaining my hair. I would really appreciate your thoughts on what option you feel may provide with the best results for maintaining and regrowing my existing hair. I have attached some pictures below to show you my current hair loss. Appreciate your feedback and thoughts as it is quite scary (for me anyway!) to change formulas after a few years.

Hi All, I have been using a 5% minoxidil solution for a few years from a company in Sydney. I think the solution contains minoxidil and retin-a because it has a yellow tinge. Plus the company says they add some other 'secret' ingredients, which I know most likely do nothing. In any case I have been paying $300 per bottle which lasts a month and I just cannot afford this anymore. I'd really appreciate some help with finding out whether i will lose all the hair that I have kept and re grown over the past few years with this minoxidil and retin a formula if I switch to a plain minoxidil formula like rogain? Or should I try and find a similar formula like the one i have seen through Dr Kleins website (apparently he has a solution called promox and remox which contains minoxidil and retin a. Cost is considerably less at $80 per bottle per month)? If I could get some answers on this with someone who has real experience with this, that would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi All, I've just posted my 6 month progress pictures in my blog. I have noticed quite a lot of growth between month 5 and 6. In saying this, i am hoping for a lot more density over the next 6 months. Any comments/feedback appreciated.

Yeah I'm using minox + I'm taking finesteride.

Hi All, I've just uploaded my 5 month progress pictures. A bit concerned at this stage as i seem to be way behind other peoples blogs i have seen at this 5 month mark. Any comments would be appreciated.

Hi All, Ive just uploaded my 3 month progress pictures. Not much happening at this stage, hopefully more to be excited about in the next few months.