kamin

Sorry for not responding right away, tkerr22. Just noticed your question. I've read that it was the 2% Nizoral that was used in the actual Propecia studies.

Propecia/finasteride can be prescribed by a doctor or you can also find it online, although I'm not sure how trusty some online sources are. You can buy Rogaine/minoxidil from your local drugstore, grocery store, etc. You claim that you're a NW2, but if you at least start taking Propecia/finasteride right now, you may be able to prevent yourself from ever getting to an NW3.

eugene, Everything I've read about Ron Shapiro has been positive, so you made a good choice! Congrats!

I can't believe that people actually try to screw other people for their own financial gain. This stuff is crap. There's not even any MSM in it. It's a lame excuse for a simple vitamin supplement. Notice how close his name is ('monsy') to the word 'money', because that's what this is all about anyway. It's not about helping other people, it's about screwing people over for your own gain. Prick.

While I've had two HT's with MHR and am happy with the results, after spending more time researching I would have chosen Ron Shapiro or H&W if I had to do it again. I believe that my results would have been even better.

Finally got around to checking the paperwork. My generic Proscar was manufatured by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. It is based out of Israel and operates globally in 19 countries on 5 continents (including the USA). Did some research on Teva and believe that this generic will be OK. Because my insurance covers this, I get a six-month supply of this generic stuff for $15.00 (after cutting them up). I think it would cost me $90.00 or more for the Merck Proscar for a six month supply. If the generic doesn't work, I'll ask for the brand-name Merck Proscar next time.

No need for any replies to this. Just passing along info. Just got my new prescription of Proscar yesterday. It's a generic. It's still a blue-colored 5mg pill but it's round, not the weird shape of the Merck pill. I know that India produces a generic called Fincar, or something. But I don't think this came from India since I've been going through Express Scripts in the U.S.A. for years. I didn't check to see who manufactured it but will check the paperwork tonight!

No need for any replies to this. Just passing along info. Just got my new prescription of Proscar yesterday. It's a generic. It's still a blue-colored 5mg pill but it's round, not the weird shape of the Merck pill. I know that India produces a generic called Fincar, or something. But I don't think this came from India since I've been going through Express Scripts in the U.S.A. for years. I didn't check to see who manufactured it but will check the paperwork tonight!

m32, My hair also started receding at about 30 years old. In fact, it looked very similar to yours and then got worse. My sides and back were fine. Just that stupid-looking receding hairline that drove me insane. In my opinion, you should get back on Propecia and stay on it at least 6-12 months to give it a chance. It usually takes this long to start seeing results. In the meantime, consult with the coalition doctors to get their opinions. Decide on one of those doctors based on their advice and book your HT. I'll tell you right now, a lot of people will say that your hair is age-appropriate, mature, and blah, blah, blah. That age-appropriate, mature crap annoys the hell out of me (no flames please, just my opinion). I say get advice from the coalition doctors and get the damn HT if they feel that you are a good candidate (and from seeing your picture, it looks like you have good density in your donor area). I've had two HT's and am happier than h*ll that I did it. I don't obsess about my hair like I used to. I don't have to sit in front of the mirror and place the hair just-so to cover up a dicky-looking receding hairline, etc. Do what makes you happy based on the advice you receive from the coalition doctors!

Gorpy, Nice results. As for another HT, I would do some consults with some of the doctors we all know and love around here. See what they think. Using their advice, do whatever makes you happy!

I've been on finasteride (at least 1.25 mg per day) for about two years. At first, my sex drive went to crap but it came back. I would keep taking your normal dosage of Propecia every day and give it a chance to see if your sex drive comes back. If it doesn't, you can always stop taking it and look at other alternatives. If you stop taking it, your sex drive will come right back. However, just remember that Propecia is one of only two proven meds to halt hair loss and possibly grow hair. It would be a shame if you stopped taking it prematurely and gave into your wee-wee's demands before giving it a chance.

Yes, get back on finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) if you want your best chance of halting your hair loss. Rogaine would be an option if you're losing hair in the crown area. That is where it is best known to work. Using Nizoral three times per week was actually a part of the initial testing of finasteride. It is recommended that you use it, especially if you take finasteride and/or have dandruff, as JakeVig mentioned. Using Nizoral will give your scalp the ideal conditions for finasteride to work its best!

You probably won't get an answer to your question on this forum. Most of the people, if they've been on this forum for any length of time, use only finasteride or Rogaine, which have been clinically proven to reverse some forms of hair loss.

You're probably thinking about Graftcyte moist dressings, which are used on the recipient area. There is also a Graftcyte spray to keep the recipient area moist. Also, Iamin Gel is normally used on the donor area scar. However, these are expensive. I've read on this board that some doctors have their own healing systems/medications and that they give them to you as part of the HT cost.

The 'unknown' is definitely hard on the nerves! One of the main reasons I got my two HT's was because I'm a musician. It just didn't feel right jamming on the stage with that stupid-looking receding hairline. And, of course, a decent head of hair never hurts in the 'getting laid' and 'self-confidence' departments!

I'm assuming that B-Spot means that Armani concentrates too much on the hairline, too soon, with young guys. This means that if a young guy gets too much of his donor hair placed in the hairline and then later loses his crown hair, there won't be enough donor hair to cover the crown.

Go to your doctor to get a prescription for Proscar and then cut it into fours. I don't know how old you are, but once you hit a certain age I believe that most doctors will write the prescription as a preventative measure against an enlarged prostate. You won't even have to tell the doctor that you actually want to use it for hair loss. My opinion.

I've noticed that on most people (myself included) that the hair on the cheeks is usually thinner than on the chin, so you seem to be normal in that regard. My beard is of average thickness and I've sported one a few times. However, since I've gotten older and some grey hairs are showing up, I've gone with the shaved-face look (mustache and all), which also makes me look younger. As you get older, you may feel the same way. You may want to think over a beard transplant more carefully! :-)

I just did some research on this and it appears that Evening Primrose Oil (EPR) is an essential fatty acid that helps with healthy skin, nails, and hair. I mostly found information telling of liquid EPR helping with dry skin but imagine it would help by applying it directly to the hair. Interesting. I may try it sometime!

I've heard 90% - 100% of HT grafts should grow. Basically, a healthy graft will grow anywhere it is placed when the blood supply is adequate. Usually, when people complain that all their grafts didn't grow, it is normally existing hair falling out due to their progressive hair loss. In other words, it may look like grafts didn't grow but it could be the results of further hair loss. There are some reasons that grafts won't grow. Two that I know of are 1.) The grafts may be mishandled and damage the follicle(s) or 2.) too many grafts are done in a single session and packed too densely.

Do not up your dosage of finasteride for anything to do with hair loss/growth. Taking 1mg or 1.25mg (if you cut Proscar into fours) per day is just as effective as taking 5mg per day when it comes to hair loss/growth. This is according to studies that have been done.

I'm not sure if Arson is currently on finasteride (most likely he is), but I've read that Nizoral should be used approximately three times per week while on finasteride to get the full benefits of the drug. This mimics the actual studies done with finasteride. Apparently the cleansing properties, etc. of Nizoral help to make an ideal environment for hair growth.

I agree with this statement. It's why some people with horrible lifestyles, diets, etc. have great hair. It's why some of the most healthy and athletic people in the world are bald. If you're dealt a crappy hand in the hair department, all you can do is whatever makes you happy (HT, shave, or do nothing)

I doubt it, unless you're in the sun excessively. Even then, the loss wouldn't be permanent. The loss would be from damage and breakage. According to a website, excessive exposure to the sun can damage your hair by inducing oxidation of the sulfur molecules within the hair shaft,leaving the hair weak, brittle, dry and faded.

There's a chance that this guys post is legit, but the odds are stacked against it. Whenever I see a post that is this long and just full of "sweetness and light" about a particular doctor, I automatically think BS.