18 and receding, questions!

[munchkinman]

Hi, I have been looking at this and other forums for a while and recently decided to join. I am only 18 and already my hairline has started to recede. It has been this way for about 18 months at a guess, but in the early stages no body could notice except me. I successfully hid my hairline for a while, but it seems to have got worse recently, to the point where I would avoid going outside if it was windy without a hat on. I am quite an active person, and I wouldn't even go to sports training without a hat for fear of my hairline being revealed as I ran.

Anyway I became fed up with having to constantly style my hair and being worried so took the plunge and shaved it down to a #2. This was a big decision for me as I have had medium-long length hair for a while. Whilst the freedom of being able to go running again and play sports is nice I really do not like the way it looks; in certain lights the fine, thin hairs that are where my hairline used to be look absent and it is very apparent I am balding.

I have been on generic finasteride for about 6 months and it does not appear to have had an effect, although it is difficult to tell what my hair loss pattern would be without it. I have now purchased some Kirkland 5% minoxidil in an attempt to thicken up the thinning hairs in my hairline. I am also considering purchasing some dermmatch and applying it dry to the hairs in my hairline to give an illusion of thickness, would this be advisable?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and any suggestions about what may help and whether dermmatch is a good idea or not would be greatly appreciated.

[Thehairupthere]

You did the right thing by starting finasteride, but 6 months is really the minimum time before you start to see any difference. It usually takes at least 6 months for you to see a noticeable change in the amount of thinning, and about 1 year before you would notice hair regrowth. So do not stop using it, and adding the minoxidil will only help more. You should also know that these medications tend to not work in the hairline region, but it is still very important to continue as your hairline can still recede further back. After using these medications for a few years you can consider going to a specialist and discuss a treatment, but right now you are very young, and typically doctors would like to see how your hair loss pattern develops until you are at least 21 at the earliest, and then consider a small treatment to the affected areas. Dermatch is a cosmetic that gives you the appearance of having thicker hair, you are basically coloring your scalp, but I would not suggest putting it on your hairline where there is no hair, only in between thinning areas as it would be more noticeable.

[munchkinman]

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't expecting miracles when starting on finasteride and I do intend on continuing with it. Whilst researching both finasteride and minoxidil I did see that they are not effective in the hairline region, however having seen some success stories I figured that there is nothing lost in trying at least! However I have seen some people claiming that minoxidil has damaged their hairline, is this possible? It doesn't seem logical that it would stimulate hair growth everywhere except the hairline?

About holding out until I'm older for surgery, I'm not sure I would go through with surgery, even after waiting a few years. Although if my hair loss becomes more aggressive I may change my mind!

I have ordered Dermmatch, it is not a great expenditure and if it works I will be overjoyed, if not then it's no great loss really, I'll just continue with my current regimen!

I've seen some people take all sorts of vitamins and supplements, do these really help? Also what about shampoo? I am just using normal shampoo and conditioner, should I be using Nizoral or something similar?

[Thehairupthere]

Minoxidil shouldn't damage your hairline, what you may be experiencing is the initial shedding phase from the finasteride and minoxidil which usually occurs in the first 3 months, but regrows a few months later. Also like we said the hairline could simply be receding as the medication doesn't work in the hairline region. Some people do see hairs regrow in the hairline, but it's quite rare compared to those who see stabilization or regrowth on the top of your head and crown. The vitamins certainly can help, they are not equal in terms of success as minoxidil and finasteride, but biotin and saw palmetto are good supplements to try, but if you are using both minoxidil and finasteride I don't believe you will see a noticeable difference in your appearance. The shampoo you are using is probably fine, I would suggest getting something that does not have alcohol in it, but something natural so it's less harsh, and won't dry out your scalp. Nizoral shampoo is ok to use, but again if you are using finasteride and minoxidil I don't believe you'll see much of a difference with the shampoo, but it couldn't hurt.