ejojer9

Everything looks look so far. Just curious how old are you?

No doubt propecia from age 23/24 until now has helped IMMENSELY.

Hey there Ernie,

Have you only been on Propecia or have you also done generics? Trying to determine whether generics are as effective as brand name. So far all doctors I speak to say yes, especially those sold on US grounds.

Stay on current regimen for a year and watch your hair transform.

You will be amazed at what these two meds can do when used concurrently and consistently.

Mark the calendar for a year, you'll see.

hey rev333,

what kind of minoxidil and finasteride do you use? I have been on generic finasteride and minoxidil for about 9 months and haven't had very good results.

I'm 5 months out from my 2nd Nader fue of 1800 grafts (total 3800 grafts) and the difference in my appearance is amazing. My hairline hasn't been this nice or low since i was 26 or so (a decade ago). The "ugly duckling " stage of the first 3 months or so really made me feel like shit this time around. I felt hideous and wore a hat...which i never do. So it feels great to be getting hair compliments again.

 

The redness will eventually fade and you'll be looking good. Happy growing wilkinte!

may we see befores and afters please?

A few years ago I switched from Propecia to 5mg finasteridenfrom Target. I cut th pill into fours and haven't noticed a difference.

Do you know who the manufacturer is for the generic Target brand?

Hey guys,

Anyone have experience using generic finasteride from Costco? The manufacturer is Aurobindo pharm (Indian Company). How about teva (Israeli Company)?

i am considering Saifi as well. His youtube stuff does have a bad rep but after 3 months of research he seems to have good results. send me a message and i can recommend others. I've been narrowing a list for months now.

A 3 month supply of Finastride at Costco is about $22. I have taken generic for the past 2 years and don't notice any difference.

You saw no difference between Propecia and generic finasteride?

currently thinking of switching to propecia rather than generic finasteride. the problem is that it's pricey.

looking for more replies with this one

it seems like you're following a hair loss pattern. I would visit a dermatologist and consider taking finasteride. you are young and you may lose much hair within the next 4-5 years. I'd hate for you to be a NW4 by 21. it is good that you are seeking advice now.

1. It seems like dutasteride is more effective than finasteride (refer to link 1). Why dont I hear enough on dutastride? Apparently it can prevent up to 98% of DHT conversion while finasteride can prevent 73% max. It seems like most people rely on finasteride. Isn't dutasteride basically better?

2. Most of my thinning is in the frontal region of my scalp. Should I apply minoxidil on the entire scalp or only on the affected areas?

3. Does shedding necessarily mean balding? Doesn't the process of male pattern baldness include the thinning of the follicle THEN it falling from the scalp? My shedding hairs seem to be dense. I feel like I go through intense shedding phases every 4 months or so. Am I possibly OK despite all of this shedding?

4. What happens if I increase my dusteride or finasteride doses from .5mg to .75mg and 1mg to 1.5mg daily, respectively? The daily recommended dose for dusteride is .5mg and 1mg for finasteride I believe. I am currently on finasteride.

5. My non-surgical regimen is as follows: 1. 1mg of generic finasteride daily, 2. 2ml of generic 5% minoxidil (1ml in the am and 1ml in the pm), 3. Ketoconazole 2% shampoo (2X per week). I'm thinking of adding the following: saw palmetto (not sure on the dosage), 10,000mcg biotin daily, and the use of a derma roller. Is this excessive?

Please provide reasoning with any answer you might have. Thanks!

Link 1:

https://www.bernsteinmedical.com/resources/hair-restoration-papers/dutasteride-vs-finasteride/

1. How many grafts do you see me getting?

 

2000 seems about right, + or - 250. About 800 or so would be single hair grafts in a conservative hairline.

 

2. Do you think it's too soon for me to get a HT?

 

Probably. I would try to hold out to 25. You want to know if the meds really have slowed down your hair loss which cant always be determined in just 6 months.

 

3. I apply liquid minoxidil daily. Will I see changes if I switch over to foam?

 

Probably not a great deal. I think I read somewhere that minoxidil in foam is actually absorbed better than the liquid form.

 

4. Do you think 1mg of Finasteride everyday is excessive?

 

No, if you can tolerate that amount. I think if using Proscar cut into quarters then every other day is probably sufficient.

 

5. Is Propecia better than generic Finasteride?

 

I think it can be. Propecia and Proscar (5mg for prostate but cut to quarters for hair) are the gold standard. No doubt there are some good generics out there but there have been some reports of poor ones.

 

6. FUE or FUT for me (considering my current condition and age)?

 

Too many variables such as laxity, density on the back and sides, likely balding pattern and area, long term goals.

 

If in Europe you could take a trip to Brussels to the see the Belgian doctors.

 

As far as your likely hair loss pattern it looks likely to me it would be NW6 without meds. Have a think about older brothers/cousins/uncles/dad's hair progression.

Hey Matt,

I've gotten much advice to wait on a transplant for now. I was wondering if you could tell me what made you wait until you reached your stage? I read your profile and it seems like you reached a NW5 by 2012. You mentioned you had started to lose hair in the temples around age 17 (like myself). You also mentioned you saw significant loss between 2005-2012. Would it of been a bad decision to get a procedure say around 2008? I understand that I may need up to 3 procedures but I rather not have to wait until I'm a NW5 or NW6 to pull the trigger on a surgery. I'm on fins and I've seen good regrowth, which tells me the fins may do a good job at slowing down my hair loss.

Say I do meds for a year and see good results but still want to restore my hairline. Do you think it would then be appropriate to get a procedure with say around 1000 grafts?

Thanks

I'd be more comfortable with you waiting until 25 or 26 before seeking a surgical solution, these next two to three years can really give a solid gauge as to how well the finasteride/ minoxoidil regimen is working and if your hair loss has been prevented from advancing.

 

If it has advanced any then pursuing a HT at 23 will be moot as the hair behind those restored temples will be gone and it won't look right.

 

I know patience is difficult, but I advise you save up, consult good doctors you're interested in, and gear up to possibly take action after your 25th birthday.

 

Given your genetic history, without finasteride you'll likely go your father's route with hair loss.

 

But with it, you may be able to preserve the crown and mid scalp and then surgically restore the frontal third, finasteride and minoxidil work better on the crown and mid scalp, and have been less effective on preserving hairlines.

 

But keeping up the regimen should prevent you from advancing to a norwood 6, and make the restoration process of your frontal third less expensive and much more achievable when the time comes to consider a surgical solution.

Thanks for the response! I have much to consider. Great advice, good information provided. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I have been noticing some shedding lately. When I first started my minoxidil/finasteride regimen, I hardly saw any shedding. I would shower and maybe see 4 or 5 hairs in my hand. I closely clean my scalp and monitor for fallen hairs. This past week I have seen around 25-30 hairs in my hand while showering. Maybe I am overreacting but it is really a drastic change. Has the finasteride stopped kicking in? Has my body become accustomed to it? Should I try a different brand of finasteride? Thoughts?

Honestly I think you look great!

I would say to hold off till after 25, I dont think 6 months is enough time to give the Propecia/Finasteride enough time to work. Many patients at your age have had significant growth from the oral medication treatments and I think you should give it at least a year or two before making that decision. As far as the minoxidil solution vs foam, many patients state the foam is less irritating and easier to apply. We always recommend the 5% foam for that reason.

Good luck to you!

Hey! Thanks for the advice. May I also know your opinion on the following:

The non-surgical treatments have helped with adding density but they have not been able to fix my hairline. For this reason I am looking to get 1000 grafts this summer in order to fill in my temples and reconstruct my hairline. Do you think this is a wise decesion? I have had a receding hairline since I was 17 (23 now). My plan is to fix my hairline and continue minoxidil/finasteride regimen in order to hault my hair loss as much as possible since I am more than likely headed for a NW6. My father is a NW6 and he started balding at a young age as well.

Thanks

I feel your frustration, i had similar hair loss at your age.

 

All I can say is get on finasteride, consult with a few HT doctors about your situation and see what they have to say.

 

Generally 23 is considered too young for consideration by many doctors, at least the ones you should be seeking out.

 

You do demonstrate male pattern baldness, so if it can also be demonstrated that finasteride has stabilized it, you may be able to surgically address your frontal loss at age 24 or 25.

 

I had my first HT at 26, a second at 28 and another at 32, it's a journey.

 

So I feel your concerns, feel free to reach out to me here or PM me with any questions.

Hey! Thanks for the advice. May I know your opinion on this:

The non-surgical treatments have helped with adding density but they have not been able to fix my hairline. For this reason I am looking to get 1000 grafts this summer in order to fill up my temples and reconstruct my hairline. Do you think this is a wise decesion? I?ve had a receding hairline since I was 17 (23 now). My plan is to fix my hairline and continue minoxidil/finasteride regimen in order to hault my hair loss as much as possible since I am more than likely headed for a NW6. My father is a NW6 and he started balding at a young age as well.

Thanks

Hey,

May I know what email you two used to contact him? I want to make sure I am using the correct email.

Stay on current regimen for a year and watch your hair transform.

You will be amazed at what these two meds can do when used concurrently and consistently.

Mark the calendar for a year, you'll see.

Hello rev333,

Your advice is good. I will continue this regimen. However, I still want to fill in my bald temples. Neither medical treatments can grow hair there.

On another note: My Minoxidil/Finasteride regimen has worked really well. I still want to get grafts implanted on my temples though. I've had hairless temples even before my hairloss got severe. I've been on this strict regimen (1ml of minoxidil, twice a day and 1mg of Finasteride daily) for about 4 months now (on Minoxidil for about 6 months total).

I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on a surgery sooner. I was quoted 3,300 and 4,500 by two separate surgeons around November. Today I believe I'm looking at 2,000 max (please refer to my previous post for a view of my current condition [and that's with wet hair]). This is good news since I am only 23. Surely I'll have to use all my available grafts by 35. I'm really trying to reserve as many grafts as I can while obtaining the hair style that I want.

Picture of my hair in August of 2016 (picture with water and trees)

Picture of my hair in October of 2016 (picture of me inside a train)

I think I went through crazy shedding when I first started using minoxidil. It's worked, nevertheless. Also, I've seen no side effects from Finasteride.

Hey everyone,

In need of some advice here. I am from the United States (California) but I live in Europe. I've been here since August of 2016 and will be here until June of 2017. I want to get my surgery somewhere near me (Spain) before I leave to California in order to take advantage of the good doctors and decent prices here when compared to that of back home.

After months of deciding who I would choose as my surgeon I found out that he is booked for the following 8 months, which means he doesn't have spots open for me since I leave in June. Now I am having to choose a different surgeon.

I understand that being patient is important but I don't know if flying back to Europe in November is worth it ($1,000 in flights). Surely there's other decent doctors around here who can do the job. The problem is I'm not sure who to choose. Suggestions?

I guess what I'm asking for is affordable, good doctors in or near Europe.

I'm uploading my current condition for all to see:

I've had a hard time getting in contact with Dr. Nader. Do you know if he uses WhatsApp? I'd like to give him a call. Thanks!

Thank you everyone for the responses!

Hey everyone,

I switched from Propecia to a generic brand of finasteride. I did this because Propecia is 3x more expensive. Does anyone have good results from using generic finasteride?

I also use Kirkland brand minoxidil (liquid). It seems to work but it does leave my hair with flakes sometimes.

Some feedback would be appreciated.

updates?