First Post- 18 YRS Old, Hair Loss. Need help. Advice. HELP!?

[jspence09]

Thanks Ralph & Bill. I mean, I figured it would take months, but a year!!

That saddens me, but not as much as being bald for the rest of my life. Hopefully this stuff will help, and again thanks for the advice.

 

Originally posted by kyle2323:

I know exactly where your coming from. I am now 20 years old and noticed I was balding since 16 or 17. It hurts when people say things because noone understands what it's like and howmuch it can hurt to look in the mirror and see that your thinning and going bald at such a young age. I played basketball in highschool, and one time when we were playing our rival school I had the whole croud chanting "you need rogaine" every time I touched the ball. Balding is something I have been dealing with for the past 4 years, and I have now decided I need to do something. Not proud to say but I seriously doubt your hair loss is as bad as mine. Just thought you would like to know you're not the only one, because I sure as hell did. Good luck with everything.

 

Kyle, that sucks.

Even though I've had classmates pick on me, or say something stupid about it, I've never had a whole group of people chanting it. I would've died on the spot. Sounds horrible. I wanna throw up when one or two people say it. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

I posted pics thats on page one of this thread if you want to take a look.

 

Have you tried growing your hair again? Any improvments?

 

Write back (:

[petergibbons]

I hope that by responding I can help you feel better. I am 32 and have been concerned about hair loss ever since 2001 when I was working at a .com and some guy leaning over me (45 year old with a full head of hair) said that my bald spot was shining in the light. Turns out it was bad lighting, but it was enough to affect me and make me do something about it.

 

I started taking propecia shortly thereafter and had an HT of 800 grafts in March of 2002, which really helped a lot. I'm not saying this is the solution for everyone, and as a teenager, your body chemistry will change a lot over time.

 

I would not worry so much about the side effects from finasteride. The worst thing is that you can not donate blood and can not compete in any professional sports that check for doping since finasteride masks other drugs.

 

If you are concerned about sexual side-effects, they are of a mechanical nature and not a reproductive nature. If you do experience erectile dysfunction, don't be ashamed to take something like Cialis or Viagra, even a quarter of a pill.

 

If you think you might want to consider hair transplantation, start putting aside something like $20 a week in a special bank account or a money market account. In 7-10 years you'll be able to afford most procedures even with a top doc. You're probably too young for it now.

 

The only people in your demographic who should be considering hair transplantation are young men who have lost so much hair due to androgenetic alopecia that they only have their permanent zone remaining, and I can't imagine there are too many teenage norwood 6/7s out there.

 

Hang in there and you'll be ok. I am only 3 weeks post op from my second HT (3703 grafts) and believe me I am driving my wife nuts already with the worries and the scalp checks.

 

I'll trade my confidence for your youth any day!!!

[petergibbons]

As a side note. I remember being your age and getting made fun of for having a Jewfro. Kids are just mean at the age. I take back what I said about wanting to be young again

 

You will find that if you go off to college you are going to meet so many kindred spirits and like minded people that you'll build confidence.

 

So many advances will happen in your life. I bet in your life time they will be able to clone entire organs. Skin is nothing more than an organ with a vascular system.

 

And a final thought -- everyone hates their hair. The follicles are always thicker on the other side...

[jspence09]

Thanks peter.

So I'm guessing that being 18 is a good thing and my hair could possibly grow back to normal by taking the medicine?

 

And why couldn't I donate blood?

[Marvin]

Originally posted by jspence09:

And why couldn't I donate blood?

 

If Finasteride gets into a woman, birth defects could be caused.

[jspence09]

Thats horrible!

[danny_m]

jspence09,

 

thought i'd give you my two pennies worth, as everyone else on this site, i have been affected by similar things.

 

I am 22 myself, so can completly relate to where you are coming from, it seems as though you have had a lot of good advice of people here already, so a lot of what i'll say is just echoing others advice.

 

Definitely get yourself onto Fin - propecia / proscar, it is the most proven thing on the market to help hair loss in some way, whether thats slowing it, or, in some cases actually helps re-grow. A reality check on it though, it is quite unlikely that after taking it, a year down the line will see you with a full head of hair again. I took it, and now take it in 6 month cycles which has effectively stopped any further hair loss.

 

The other options as mentioned is nanogen, which a lot of people have already given you info about, so no need for more

 

If you are going to go down the HT route at some point, be sure to put hours and hours and hours of research in, it isnt something to be taken lightly, and your choice of doc is essential!

 

I have just had a HT, after researching a lot on this site, and talking to a lot of people on here, reading a lot of forums, looking at a lot of peoples results, finding out whether the surgeon was recommended by this site as well as other docs in the HT circle.

 

I was very nearly duped into havig a HT when i was 20, by a smooth talking salesman who convinced me it was what i needed, i luckily dud my research before going ahead and found the clinic to be below-par at best.

 

Definitely get on the meds ASAP, and should you have any questions about anything, thats what this forum is here for

 

Good luck

[jspence09]

Thanks, Danny M!

 

It's just, I can remember being like 13 years old, and having really thick hair. Like really thick bushy hair.

 

Then 16 or 17 years old, it was really thin, and now 18, it's like the thinnest it's been.

 

If I take the meds, I just want my hair to be somewhat close to what it was like 4 years ago.

 

That's all I want!

[Fante 4]

FYI, Biotin won't stop your hair loss. However, it will make the existing hair you have healthier. Same with multi-vitamins, fish-oil, etc...

 

I've often wondered if there is an environmental or dietary trigger that activates the balding gene prematurely, but even if such a thing does exist finding it would be like sifting through an entire beach to find a lost ring.

[jspence09]

Alright guys,

 

Appointment on the 19th of Nov.

 

Next week.

 

What should I bring up?

 

What meds should I suggest?

[thanatopsis_awry]

Get checked for Male Pattern Baldness; then inquire into getting on finasteride (aka propecia, aka proscar)

 

Proscar is the same as propecia but it is less expensive, the drawback being you have to cut it up into like 1/4's I think to get the daily dose. Lot of people, especially younger guys, do this.

 

That is really the lone med out there worth considering. It is truly as close to a cure as we currently have, outside of hair transplantation, which can be debated as to whether that is truly a "cure".

 

You can look into getting on minox/Rogaine 5% Foam, too; but as I think I mentioned earlier in the thread, if you aren't willing to commit to it long-term, you are best off just avoiding the hellacious sheds that can occur and just stick to fin.

 

Fin is the only thing you'd need a prescription for.

 

Aside from that, I would just hone your own personal hair care regiment -- styling products, how you style it, etc.

 

Keep on the fin, see how things progress, and just enjoy life as much as possible.

[GR]

jspence09,

 

I am 21 and started losing my hair since I was 15 or 16. In fact, I may have started losing it before then but it was definately noticeable by then. A girl in my 7th grade Spanish class told me I was going to be bald when I grew up and I told her she was crazy, but anyways...she was right. I have been taking Proscar/Propecia/Fin (they're all the same) for almost 4 years. The drug had great success in regrowing some hair and slowing down the balding process. My receding hairline is still very noticeable but it is not awful. I have had side effects from the drug though. This is why I am going to discontinue the use of it. You can do your research on what kind of side effects can occur. Just about every side effect on this page http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3 occurred with my use over the past 4 years. I have decided that it is NOT worth these effects. Let me tell you first hand that I would have taken another route other than Propecia if I could go back in time. I am dealing with the side effects now, but am hoping they will pass with time. Now I must find another option to fight my hairloss. I just want you to know that you should do your research before jumping on the Propecia bandwagon. I am thinking about starting to try Rogaine Foam. Anyone else had success with it?

[jspence09]

Ok men,

 

Appointment didn't happen in Nov, but got rescheduled for Jan 2010!

 

Is that bad?

 

and GR,

What kind of side effects are you talking about? I've tried Rogaine Foam and it didn't work for me, but I don't think I followed through on the plan correctly.

[Anouar]

Well, I'm going to give u a different spin. I've been using Proscar for about 10 years and no I don't cut it 5mg and no sides. Last year I've added Rogaine foam. It's supposed to have a synergistic effect. I feel like I've slowed down my hairloss considerably.

[jspence09]

but did you see regrowth in the bald areas?

[Anouar]

Cant say that i have. Although, I feel that I managed to maintain or slow it down going on 10 years now. if u manage to keep what u got, u might in the future be able to get an ht just to cover the areas of concern instead of doing nothing and risking further loss and a greater area to cover with an ht

[sarah.k]

I too started having hair loss when I was 21, my hair stylist who also noticed this recommended a treatment which was easy to use and affordable and has definitely worked for me, also heard from some other men and woman who used it and it really has worked for them too. It also made my hair a lot softer and thicker. So I have faith in it and really recommend it.

It's a Hair Loss Controlling Formula made in Italy and these guys are the suppliers and the only ones who sell it online otherwise you can only get it from some salons which I have noticed is considerably more costly.

This is the link to their website:

(promotional link removed - see terms of service)

Good luck and hope you will find it as effective as I did. Let me know how it goes '

[jspence09]

ughh insurance issues.

 

have to reschedule my appointment AGAIN.

 

Do I have to see a dermatologist? Or can I just see a regular physician and get him to prescribe me the medication?

[bighosedragger]

jspence.... a dermatologist will probaly have better knowledge about propecia. especially if you want to try and get the generic proscar to save some serious cash. when i asked my primary care Dr. about propecia when i was young she said it was bas and didnt want to give me the prescription, she said wait ther are new and better things for hair loss coming soon....that was 10 years ago! I went to my dermatologist who also is a hair transplant dr. who gave me propecial....no sides whatsoever to date! so try and see a dermatologist of hair restoration Dr. they will have the most knowledge to help you! best wishes!

[jspence09]

I guess I could save up money to go visit the dermatologist.

 

It will take me a while though...

 

I guess my hair will just continue to fall out... ;(

 

P.S. Where can I buy the meds online and for how much?

[jspence09]

Toppik is a pill or what?

[youngsuccess]

Toppik and Nanogen are "concealers" composed of microfibers (organic keratin protein) that coat your existing hair upon application, making it appear more dense.

 

You basically shake it out of a small canister onto your head, and the fibers magnetically bond to each strand. You need to have a minimal to moderate amount of hair to work with, though. It has its limitations, but finding the right color and mastering the application is usually the key to success with most concealers.

 

You can find a decent amount of legit, user-uploaded video demonstrations on Youtube.

[jspence09]

where can i buy the meds online??

[why oh why]

getting the meds online is risky, due to the unknown source.

 

if you're going to get propecia, go to your normal family doctor that you go to when you have the flu or whatever. they can give you a script for it. if you don't have health insurance or whatever and that's too expensive, then i would recommend inhouse pharmacy if you HAVE to do the online route... that one and a few others have gotten good reviews on here, i'd recommend searching for a thread about that though...

 

but once again, GO LEGIT, and go to a doc. it doesn't HAVE to be a derm (at least if you're in the states) your normal family doc (like Bill said) will do

[jkfavin]

There are a lot of products out there in the market. You can even see some in TV ads, right? If you are on a budget, you can use the very effective aloe vera plant to treat hair loss. It's cheap and can be found anywhere. The plant itself is way better than aloe vera pills or shampoos. Just cut the plant right off and then apply the gel on your hair and scalp (you might not like the odor though). You can also mix it with coconut milk and use as shampoo. Just do not expect your hair to grow back overnight. It takes time. Good luck to you!