My journey: Full set to thinning

[Blaze99]

Hello everyone,

 

Thanks for visiting my post. I will be sharing my journey of hair loss and hair gain (hopefully).

 

My forum name is Blaze99 - you can call me blaze. I am in early my 30s, suffering from hair loss.

 

My mom told me my hair was so thick, she couldn't see my scalp when I was a kid (She was probably overstating, but you get the picture).

 

In my early 20s, I had a real thick set of hair. I used to gel up - even when I had short hair. I used Paul Mitchel tee tree gel and head & shoulder shampoo. When I was tight on money during my teenage years, I used cheap gel from dollar store too. I used to back brush hair like russian mafia.

 

During my mid 20s, I started losing hair. My hair was so heavy and thick, I just thought this was natural. During late 20s, I started noticing bald area on my crown. I started freaking out. Started using gnc keratin. Alas.. hair continued to fall. I added fish oil supplement... still no luck. Worst yet, I started noticing hair thinning up front too.

 

After a couple of years, I stopped using gnc keratin and started using rogaine. Although I saw some initial results, hair loss is continued. Maybe not as bad as late 20s and 30... but still losing hair. Very recently, I also started using nizoral shampoo. Before that, for the last year and half, I used baby shampoo to avoid all the chemicals.

 

At this point, I am considering a hair transplant. I am doing research... reached out to a Dr. in Istanbul and his assistant recommended FUE.

 

Before someone asks, I dont want to use Finasteride because of the side effects.

 

This is my story... I hope this can help someone who is losing hair. Perhaps help not make some of the mistakes I made.

 

I will continue to share my experience as I go through the hair transplant procedure. I am not sure which doctor I will go to - but I will go to Europe most likely because of the cost factor.

 

Thank you all for reading my story. All your expert (or non-expert) input are welcome. Feel free to share your story too. Talk soon.

 

Mods: please feel free to remove the brand names if not allowed (or ask me to reword). I just shared cause I dont want others to make the same mistake as me.

Edited January 25, 2018 by Blaze99

[mattj]

Hi Blaze. Nice introduction. It doesn't sound like your loss has been too aggressive. Where would you put yourself on the Norwood scale? Do you plan to share photos?

 

I can understand not wanting to try Fin. I take it you're still using Minoxidil... But please be aware that it could be doing more to help your hair than you realise and you could lose some hair quite rapidly if you were to stop it. Perhaps you already know this, but I thought I'd say it. Anyway, welcome to the forum!

[Blaze99]

Hi Blaze. Nice introduction. It doesn't sound like your loss has been too aggressive. Where would you put yourself on the Norwood scale? Do you plan to share photos?

 

I can understand not wanting to try Fin. I take it you're still using Minoxidil... But please be aware that it could be doing more to help your hair than you realise and you could lose some hair quite rapidly if you were to stop it. Perhaps you already know this, but I thought I'd say it. Anyway, welcome to the forum!

 

Hello Matt. Thanks for the response. I am currently at 3 vertex (at least thats what I got from google). Still thinking if I should share photos (still convincing myself.. a big step).

 

Thanks for your expertise. I was not applying Minoxidil religiously any more but thanks - I will continue going forward.

 

Any idea how applying it in crown area helps rest of the head? I was always curious about that as they instruct you to only apply to crown area. Also, do you use twice a day or once a day? I have been using once a day at max.

Edited January 26, 2018 by Blaze99

[mattj]

I wouldn't use it any more than once per day. Unfortunately it's a commitment - you don't need to worry about missing applications here and there, but if you stop for longer periods of time then the benefits will be undone.

 

You can apply it at the front. The drug is just better at regrowing hair at the crown and midscalp, so that is what it is marketed as doing. That's where the majority of studies have focused on.

 

Re. photos: I can understand that reluctance to 'bare all' in a public space, but it really isn't a big deal. We're all in the same boat and you can conceal your face. But whenever you're ready!

[Blaze99]

I wouldn't use it any more than once per day. Unfortunately it's a commitment - you don't need to worry about missing applications here and there, but if you stop for longer periods of time then the benefits will be undone.

 

You can apply it at the front. The drug is just better at regrowing hair at the crown and midscalp, so that is what it is marketed as doing. That's where the majority of studies have focused on.

 

Re. photos: I can understand that reluctance to 'bare all' in a public space, but it really isn't a big deal. We're all in the same boat and you can conceal your face. But whenever you're ready!

 

Thanks. I will continue to apply once a day.