Starting fin tonight, worried about sides & shed

[Marty1990]

Apologies as I’ve posted before but a comment from a family member, whom I work with has stressed me out to the point I’m starting fin tonight. 
 

Have been monitoring my hair for years and it - to me - seemed unchanged. Have a parting coming from my crown, also have seborrheic dermatitis. Last year, August, colleague told me I have a bald spot. Posted pics here and was told I didn’t and it was just my crown. Christmas, a different colleague said it also. Just now, my cousin whom I work with comes behind me as I’m at my desk. Really loud, “you’re going a bin thin up top there, you need to go to Turkey for a transplant.” Then another colleague said “yes I’ve noticed for a while you are!”

Has freaked me out. Don’t know if it’s a joke or what, but I have unused finasteride at home and I’m going to start tonight.

If I shed will it make me look bald? Have read side effects but really nervous but also if people are saying this I want to tackle it.

For reference I’m 32, 33 this year.

Pictures below, all are from today or the past week. 

 

the following, top pic is from 2016, last two 2010

 

[TorontoMan]

You have a slightly thin spot near your swirl which is common and very minor thinning I would say closer to your mid scalp. That being said, you don't have a reason to be as worried as you are, your friends did you a favor pointing this out to you with a lot of time ahead of you. 

Being afraid of a shed is nonesense, that's short term thinking. If you can't endure a little bit of a shed now to benefit afterwards, then imagine how you'll feel as it progressively gets worse without any intervention. 

Do yourself a favor and stop reading every comment online from often times neurotic people who don't know how to measure the trade-offs for themselves. 

[HappyMan2021]

your crown has definitely had some loss, but its so minor/insignificant that I don't think you qualify for a HT at this very moment. 

To me it sounds like your colleagues were previously aware of your crown insecurities and are using this for some friendly (or not) banter and are jokingly and sarcastically making a mountain out of this very small molehill. 

But yes, from a serious POV, you haven't yet crossed the line into hair transplant territory.

Edited January 30, 2023 by HappyMan2021

[Rafael Manelli]

It looks good, just hop on fin for now and consider getting some concealer. Toppik powder would be a cheap, effective and risk free solution for now.

Most of us would love to have hair like yours, so be grateful for what you have and relax. The odds are in your favor.

[Marty1990]

3 hours ago, TorontoMan said:

You have a slightly thin spot near your swirl which is common and very minor thinning I would say closer to your mid scalp. That being said, you don't have a reason to be as worried as you are, your friends did you a favor pointing this out to you with a lot of time ahead of you. 

Being afraid of a shed is nonesense, that's short term thinking. If you can't endure a little bit of a shed now to benefit afterwards, then imagine how you'll feel as it progressively gets worse without any intervention. 

Do yourself a favor and stop reading every comment online from often times neurotic people who don't know how to measure the trade-offs for themselves. 

Thanks - they’re the areas I’ve been worried about, more so the mid scalp than the crown but the reason I’ve held off starting treatment for so long is because of the following from around 7 years ago - but if people have commented perhaps it has changed, so will start finasteride. 

For reference this is 3 years ago 

And this a couple of days ago under natural light

 

2 hours ago, HappyMan2021 said:

your crown has definitely had some loss, but its so minor/insignificant that I don't think you qualify for a HT at this very moment. 

To me it sounds like your colleagues were previously aware of your crown insecurities and are using this for some friendly (or not) banter and are jokingly and sarcastically making a mountain out of this very small molehill. 

But yes, from a serious POV, you haven't yet crossed the line into hair transplant territory.

Well that’s the thing I’m unsure if it’s just me sitting under a light which is making it appear worse - above is a picture from years ago and it’s similar but the fact 4 people have now commented on it makes me think I’m kidding myself and it has changed.

Was thinking more along the lines of fin and starting that, not a HT. If I have very early MBP hoping fin will keep it as is / thicken it up for the next 15 years or so. 
 

I’ve not mentioned to them about my crown insecurities so this was off their own back. Whether it was a joke or not I don’t know. 

1 hour ago, Rafael Manelli said:

It looks good, just hop on fin for now and consider getting some concealer. Toppik powder would be a cheap, effective and risk free solution for now.

Most of us would love to have hair like yours, so be grateful for what you have and relax. The odds are in your favor.

Just ordered some Toppik now, will see if that makes a difference tomorrow and then will decide tomorrow whether I take the plunge and start fin, though right now after the comments I want to start asap. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Marty1990

[Gatsby]

@Marty1990 your hair is what an excellent hair transplant can never achieve. Easy to say but you need to focus on something else while taking Finasteride. Remember you can also microdose or take topical Finasteride also as options. All the best. 👍

[Marty1990]

1 hour ago, Gatsby said:

@Marty1990 your hair is what an excellent hair transplant can never achieve. Easy to say but you need to focus on something else while taking Finasteride. Remember you can also microdose or take topical Finasteride also as options. All the best. 👍

Thanks. So if I were to take Finasteride every other day and use Toppik, is it likely my hair will look mostly the same? Worried about the shed (and sides) and whether my hair will suddenly look way worse in a couple of months or if it will just look mostly the same and then better as the months go on - or just stay as is. 

[Gatsby]

@Marty1990 I would put more faith in your GP prescribing Finasteride than in the internet. No disrespect but you can always stop the drug. But if you are building up these anxieties based on the internet then you are already building yourself up for a nocebo effect. All the best. 

[Viney]

I wouldn't do anything if I were you. It looks pretty good. Just monitor it every 3 to 6 months and if you see the hairs thinning around the "bald spot" then reconsider medication.

Edited January 31, 2023 by Viney

[Mike10]

Hi, based on the photos submitted I am not even sure you have hair loss. Looks like a normal cowlick to me. Was Fin prescribed by a Dr or are you just self medicating?

[Marty1990]

 

2 hours ago, Mike10 said:

Hi, based on the photos submitted I am not even sure you have hair loss. Looks like a normal cowlick to me. Was Fin prescribed by a Dr or are you just self medicating?

I ordered it myself online when a comment was made about my crown back in August. I’ve not taken anything as of yet, was going to start last night after the comments yesterday but have taken more pics today without product in my hair and utterly confused now as it looks okay.

Apologies for all the pics, was comparing to older pics I’ve taken looking for changes. These were all today (as you can tell the comments yesterday have messed with me a little)
 

 

 

[Curious25]

I’m shocked your friends have made comment to be honest - I wouldn’t be surprised if you went for a trichoscopic examination and they found no miniaturisation in your crown at all, it could very well be just the way your hair naturally parts.

Your scalp looks inflamed, which might be worth checking out - potentially something as easy as Nizoral 2% twice weekly could sort that out, but a hair specialist would be in a much better position to advise you with that. 
 

Do you have any signs of hair loss at the front, or any hereditary hair loss in males in your family? 
 

If not, you may not even need to start on medication at this stage. 
 

Try book in for a trichoscopic exam with a reputable hair surgeon, it will answer all your questions and put your mind at rest. 

[Marty1990]

10 minutes ago, Curious25 said:

I’m shocked your friends have made comment to be honest - I wouldn’t be surprised if you went for a trichoscopic examination and they found no miniaturisation in your crown at all, it could very well be just the way your hair naturally parts.

Your scalp looks inflamed, which might be worth checking out - potentially something as easy as Nizoral 2% twice weekly could sort that out, but a hair specialist would be in a much better position to advise you with that. 
 

Do you have any signs of hair loss at the front, or any hereditary hair loss in males in your family? 
 

If not, you may not even need to start on medication at this stage. 
 

Try book in for a trichoscopic exam with a reputable hair surgeon, it will answer all your questions and put your mind at rest. 

I’ve always had a parting coming from my crown, pics from over a decade ago show it but I assumed it was able to covered up by brushing. My scalp is inflamed yes and I’ve been prescribed Nizoral. I’m hoping that it’s just my scalp being inflamed and sitting under a light in work is the reason why the comments were made.

Dad receded in his 40/50s, he’s lost a lot of it now but still has fair bit left aged 71. My hairline hasn’t changed. No thinning, ever so slight V shape. Literally it’s always been my crown I’ve been bothered about due to its shape and size.

I’m trying to get referred to a dermatologist re my scalp issues, and then if that can be resolved then a trichologist, but right now I’m in limbo because I’m paranoid about people making comments, whether I have MBP or not - though my only hope is that it’s not changed much if at all in 10+ years, and whether to try meds “just in case”.

[Mike10]

2 hours ago, Marty1990 said:

 

I ordered it myself online when a comment was made about my crown back in August. I’ve not taken anything as of yet, was going to start last night after the comments yesterday but have taken more pics today without product in my hair and utterly confused now as it looks okay.

Apologies for all the pics, was comparing to older pics I’ve taken looking for changes. These were all today (as you can tell the comments yesterday have messed with me a little)
 

 

 

Again, I sm not sure you even have any hair loss..But if you want to be sure, book an appointment with a reputable HT surgeon who will see if there is any miniturization in that area. Under no circumstances, would I start to self medicate with Finansteride now.  

[Marty1990]

3 hours ago, Mike10 said:

Again, I sm not sure you even have any hair loss..But if you want to be sure, book an appointment with a reputable HT surgeon who will see if there is any miniturization in that area. Under no circumstances, would I start to self medicate with Finansteride now.  

Found my old account on here, pretty much asked the same question 12 years ago as I have done now

Pictures have expired and I don’t have them anymore but pretty much the same scenario - someone commented on my crown and I jumped on here. 
 

Anyway, I’ve sent pics off to a hair place, whether they look I don’t know but I’ll hold off any treatment for the time being and wait and see. Going to go the GP first about my scalp issues (I was talking about them in the posts from 12 years ago and it’s still not resolved). 
 

I have bought rosemary oil, not for anything other than my scalp, as I read it can help with seborrheic dermatitis. 
 

I still have no idea if my hair has thinned a little, or whether it’s the same as when I first posted on the old account - but that fact people commented on it then, makes me wonder whether it’s just my crown. I just don’t know. 
 

Also ignore the way I wrote back then, I was young…..

[Mike10]

On 1/31/2023 at 7:54 PM, Marty1990 said:

Found my old account on here, pretty much asked the same question 12 years ago as I have done now

Pictures have expired and I don’t have them anymore but pretty much the same scenario - someone commented on my crown and I jumped on here. 
 

Anyway, I’ve sent pics off to a hair place, whether they look I don’t know but I’ll hold off any treatment for the time being and wait and see. Going to go the GP first about my scalp issues (I was talking about them in the posts from 12 years ago and it’s still not resolved). 
 

I have bought rosemary oil, not for anything other than my scalp, as I read it can help with seborrheic dermatitis. 
 

I still have no idea if my hair has thinned a little, or whether it’s the same as when I first posted on the old account - but that fact people commented on it then, makes me wonder whether it’s just my crown. I just don’t know. 
 

Also ignore the way I wrote back then, I was young…..

I would not worry to much. seems like you do not have any hair loss. but it is always good to keep an eye on it

[ray35]

Agreed about not worrying.. very benign drug. You likely will not shed or have any sides... 

[ciaus]

On 1/31/2023 at 9:12 AM, Marty1990 said:

I’ve always had a parting coming from my crown, pics from over a decade ago show it but I assumed it was able to covered up by brushing. My scalp is inflamed yes and I’ve been prescribed Nizoral. I’m hoping that it’s just my scalp being inflamed and sitting under a light in work is the reason why the comments were made.

Dad receded in his 40/50s, he’s lost a lot of it now but still has fair bit left aged 71. My hairline hasn’t changed. No thinning, ever so slight V shape. Literally it’s always been my crown I’ve been bothered about due to its shape and size.

I’m trying to get referred to a dermatologist re my scalp issues, and then if that can be resolved then a trichologist, but right now I’m in limbo because I’m paranoid about people making comments, whether I have MBP or not - though my only hope is that it’s not changed much if at all in 10+ years, and whether to try meds “just in case”.

 

Definitely get your scalp calmed down. If its just seborrheic dermatitis that can often be managed by medicated shampoos. Sometimes more serious conditions like scarring alopecias can present these same symptoms, and because those actually destroy hair follicles its very important to rule them out if you are particularly concerned about maintaining your hair. Thankfully the scarring apolecias are relatively rare compared to seborrheic dermatitis which is pretty common, don't want to cause you unnecessary worry at this point. But if you don't respond to any of the normal treatments for seborrheic dermatitis and your doctor isn't familiar with scarring alopecias you may want to get a second opinion from a doctor that is. I happen to have seborrheic dermatitis and a scarring alopecia called lichen planopilaris, ended up traveling quite a distance to get to an experienced doctor to get it managed and thankfully its been in remission for years now, hopefully gone for good. 

Back to the seborrheic dermatitis shampoos, that Nizoral is an over the counter shampoo brand with 1% ketoconazole you can get at any regular store in the USA. Your doctor can prescribe the stronger 2% version if that doesn't do much for you. And there are other shampoos in this category made by companies like Head&Shoulders and Selsun Blue with other effective ingredients you may also respond well to.