New to the community

[ElNino9]

Hi everyone

 

I have been researching male pattern baldness since 2010 after noticing the first signs of recession at the corners of my hairline. I have been a long-time lurker on sites such as the hair transplant network, which I have found to be a source of reassurance, guidance and hope during the trials and tribulations of my hair loss journey. Although dealing with hair loss can be psychologically very difficult, I feel blessed to have ethical resources such as this community available to inform my decisions when combating my hair loss.

 

A little about my journey so far:

My hair loss began in early- to mid-2010 with slight recession at the corners of my hairline. I was going through the most stressful period of my life to date, which may have been a factor in triggering my balding. I remember shedding a lot of hair in the shower during this period.

 

My loss was relatively minor and stable for the next year and a half, during which time I was somewhere between denial that the hairloss was happening, to hoping it would just stop of its own accord. In August 2011 I suffered the first signs of loss at the centre of my hairline. Over the next three to four months I began to see the first signs of thinning at the crown and in the mid-scalp area.

 

I began using 10% minoxidil liquid in January 2012, and quickly switched to Rogaine foam for its ease of use. I discontinued use after around four months, as I grew impatient waiting for signs of positive results. By late mid-2012 my hair had improved in the crown and mid-scalp regions, and the loss in my hairline seemed to have stabilised. I was unsure whether to attribute this to Rogaine or to a reduction in stress levels.

 

By November 2012 I had noticed a deterioration in my crown again, and began using Rogaine foam in the hope of combating this. Between January and July 2013, however, there was an acceleration in the thinning throughout my scalp, from the hairline to the crown.

 

Earlier today I finally bit the bullet and sent an online consultation request to Hasson & Wong for guidance on the next step of my journey. I am strongly considering trying non-surgical treatments like Propecia, although I have read so many horror stories online that I am very wary. The conflicting information all over the net is one of the reasons I have procrastinated for the past two years rather than reaching out for help and advice; I simply did not know who to believe!

 

Any comments or advice from members of this community would be greatly appreciated, particularly the approved physicians.

[TakingThePlunge]

ElNino9,

 

Welcome! Have you heard back from H&W regarding your online consultation? I'm curious to hear the outcome.

 

My first thoughts are that you should consider medically stabilizing your hair loss. These medications work best in the early stages and you've still got a lot of hair to preserve.

 

You did not use Rogaine nearly long enough. Four months is the minimum that it takes to begin to see the effects. We always recommend that people use it for between 6 months and one year before assessing the results.

 

I also suggest giving finasteride a try. Lots of guys here have used it in the past with little or no side effects. The vast majority of those that experience sexual sides see them subside upon discontinuation of the drug. A relatively small number have reported permanent side effects.

[greatjob]

Welcome! First I want to tell you that you still have a very very nice head of hair. And it seems that you have very high donor density, with very favorable hair characteristics, both of which are very positive things. I would highly suggest you give finasteride a try, I started losing my hair at a very young age and when I turned 18 I was scared away from propecia, over the next few years I lost a tremendous amount of hair needlessly, and I ended up on the medication anyways with zero side effects for many years now. It is to this day one of my biggest regrets, just remember there is no replacement for your native hair. The percent of people who experience permanent side effects is miniscule, so give it a try, if you experience minor sides try and push through them for 4-5 months as minor side usually go away as your body adjusts. If you experience major sides or the minor side don't subside, then you can stop treatment.

 

I would suggest you contact the user Jotronic on here via pm. He is the man at Hasson & Wong other than the doctors, and although I'm sure all of their reps are great, if I was consulting with Hasson & Wong there is no one else I would want to talk to besides Joe. He will not do you wrong, I promise you that.

[ElNino9]

Hi David and greatjob,

 

Thank you so much for your replies and for the friendly welcome. I have definitely come to the realisation that the most effective way of preserving my native hair may be to give Propecia a try. I received the following response from Joseph Tillman at Hasson & Wong:

 

"Thank you for your interest in Hasson & Wong. Based on your stated

progression of loss it is recommended that you find a solution to stabilize

your loss before you undertake any surgical remedies. It is highly

recommended that you begin using Propecia to halt this loss as it most

likely will also reverse the loss to at least a small degree, mostly

throughout the top of your scalp. You will have to take the medication for

approximately one year to see any benefits of reversal but keep in mind that

any medication such as Propecia or Rogaine is only a treatment and not a

cure. Once you cease their use your loss is guaranteed to continue.

 

Once your loss is stabilized or it has turned around in any way we can

discuss surgical options should you so wish."

 

I sent a follow-up message to Joe asking for advice on acquiring a prescription for Propecia, although I'm not sure if he received it as he did not respond. I recently relocated from the UK to Canada, and I'm not too far from Ottawa so I could potentially schedule a consultation with Dr. Rahal. Would you guys recommend such a visit?

 

If I can stabilise my hair loss I would consider a surgical procedure in the future to restore some of my hair at the hairline and perhaps add some density throughout. I will definitely be active on the forums and update my profile as my journey progresses.

[TakingThePlunge]

ElNino9,

 

I would highly recommend an in person consultation with Dr. Rahal if you are in the area.