What to expect from medication and the right time to go for HT

[Quasar]

Hi all - It's a pleasure to share my hair-story with experts and physicians here.

 

I was a college freshman, 22, with oodles of confidence, thick hair, when my hair-fall got triggered due to stress. For the first couple of years, I really tried to put things under the carpet. It was not until I turned 26, I realized I need to treat my hair-fall and baldness problem. Initially, what started off as a small bald patch, spread in the entire crown area. Although, I am extremely cool, calm and try to stay confident, the fact that I am continuing to lose hair does scare me.

 

It was not until six years into my hair loss(I am 28 now), that I've just started applying Kirkland Minoxidil 5% + Dr. Reddy's 1 mg Finasteride. I am also taking some ProteinX Supplement. I plan to curb any further hair-fall followed by a hair restoration surgery, with the expectation of decent results in the next couple of years.

 

I have a few quick questions :

 

1) What would be my Norwood Scale judging by the photos in the attachments? Would Norwood V-A be correct?

2) Its been just a day, since I started apply Minoxidil 5% + Finasteride. How long should I wait, before I see any positive results. Is it possible to regrow hair, that I've recently lost?

3) When should I plan for my Hair Restoration Surgery? I am currently 28.

 

Thanks a tonne!

 

Quasar

[KO]

So far it looks like a NW5 diffuse. What is good is that you have a good hairline, so it will look good if you keep your sides really short. It's extremely important to be on meds, so the finasteride will serve you well. Don't get off it unless you get sides. WIth an HT, I would wait ideally 1.5 years on meds before getting operated, and perhaps focus on the frontal half.

[Quasar]

Hi Ko, should I expect to regrow/regain some of the hair lost with Rogaine+Finasteride? Also, is there a trichology test to find out the amount of miniaturisation?

[1978matt]

I would not expect any regrowth on the meds. That said, some people are lucky and do experience growth but it is generally quite rare. What you should get is a rapid cessation of hair loss.

 

A Hair transplant is not really an option for you as you are young and have extensive hairloss. With that in mind it would be best to save the donor hair you have for hairline work in the future.

 

As KO says, at least you have a hairline which frames the face. Don't be tempted to try to fill in the middle and crown of your head. It would just be a waste of donor. You need to save it for frontal work.

[wazaam]

Matt1978. Does the low dose of 1 mg of propecia per week keep your hair loss stable. I had to stop use due to sides and have considered trying an extremely small dose. I would be interested to hear how the small dose works for you and what lead you to incorporate such a small dosing into your hair loss treatments. Appreciate your feedback.

[Quasar]

Hi Matt/Ko,

 

Happy and disappointed at the same time. Happy about the fact, that it will contain my hair loss.

 

I read about a few people on the forum, who've seen some good results with regrowth after about 4-6 months of Kirkland Minoxidil. I was under the belief, that after initial shedding, new thick hair would grow evenutally! On one thread, the guy has experienced good results with Rogaine + Finax.

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/173493-loosing-faith-regaine-2.html

 

What would be your comments? Disappointed to hear you say, it doesn't work..

 

I plan to get an HT done 2-3 years from now.

 

Eagerly waiting for your reply.

 

Thanks a tonne!

[1978matt]

Matt1978. Does the low dose of 1 mg of propecia per week keep your hair loss stable. I had to stop use due to sides and have considered trying an extremely small dose. I would be interested to hear how the small dose works for you and what lead you to incorporate such a small dosing into your hair loss treatments. Appreciate your feedback.

 

I did get side effects taking it regularly and tried all sorts of variations. 0.25mg EOD for example.

 

I have not really lost any noticeable hair for 2 or 3 years now but it remains thin in the Crown.

 

Hi Matt/Ko,

 

Happy and disappointed at the same time. Happy about the fact, that it will contain my hair loss.

 

I read about a few people on the forum, who've seen some good results with regrowth after about 4-6 months of Kirkland Minoxidil. I was under the belief, that after initial shedding, new thick hair would grow evenutally! On one thread, the guy has experienced good results with Rogaine + Finax.

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/173493-loosing-faith-regaine-2.html

 

What would be your comments? Disappointed to hear you say, it doesn't work..

 

I plan to get an HT done 2-3 years from now.

 

Eagerly waiting for your reply.

 

Thanks a tonne!

 

It can regrow but it is just rare. You will never know until you try it.

[wazaam]

Matt

So I assume taking only the 1 mg propecia/proscar has effectively gotten rid of all your side effects? Did you find take 1 MG once per week was more effective in eliminating your sides than the .25 mg EOD?

 

Do you think the 1 mg/week is still having a positive effect on the stabilization of your hair loss?

 

 

Thanks

[KO]

Hi Matt/Ko,

 

Happy and disappointed at the same time. Happy about the fact, that it will contain my hair loss.

 

I read about a few people on the forum, who've seen some good results with regrowth after about 4-6 months of Kirkland Minoxidil. I was under the belief, that after initial shedding, new thick hair would grow evenutally! On one thread, the guy has experienced good results with Rogaine + Finax.

 

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/173493-loosing-faith-regaine-2.html

 

What would be your comments? Disappointed to hear you say, it doesn't work..

 

I plan to get an HT done 2-3 years from now.

 

Eagerly waiting for your reply.

 

Thanks a tonne!

 

Some people do get good regrowth, but it is not very reliable, so it should not necessarily be expected. I would take photos end of every month, with same hairstyle and lighting, and see how you progress, if your hair loss is stable, that is good, if it worsens, you can consider dutasteride, it is like a more potent version of fin, with more side effects.

[Quasar]

Okay, I read up a bit about Fin's side effects. I am just 28, and about to get married. So, instead can I just use Rogaine and not take Propecia.

[1978matt]

Matt

So I assume taking only the 1 mg propecia/proscar has effectively gotten rid of all your side effects? Did you find take 1 MG once per week was more effective in eliminating your sides than the .25 mg EOD?

 

Do you think the 1 mg/week is still having a positive effect on the stabilization of your hair loss?

 

 

Thanks

 

I still get sides but taking it in the evening they generally dissipate 12 hours later.

 

I cannot know for sure if it is helping but like I say, I have not noticed any increased hair loss in the Crown. It must be lowering DHT but not as much as daily use.

 

Okay, I read up a bit about Fin's side effects. I am just 28, and about to get married. So, instead can I just use Rogaine and not take Propecia.

 

Fin is by far the most effective. Around 5% of users get side effects.

[Quasar]

Okay, thanks Matt! How long into the drug should I see if there are any sides(especially sexual sides)? Also, I plan to take .25mg/day to start with. Would that be a low dose to start with?

[KO]

Stop putting so much oil on your hair, it will look thicker...