| Author | Message | ||
     Patrick |
Hey Tom, Just a few questions for you. I'm in my early 20s and am not really losing hair in the back of my head, but my frontal hairline has thinned out a lot and even has receded. I know Rogaine and Propecia isn't used for frontal baldness, so what is the best thing to do for this? I know the FDA makes them state it isn't intended for frontal baldness, but is it possible that it can work for frontal baldness? Also, how do surgeons determine who has enough donor hair in order to do a hair transplant? One more quick thing...Is it possible that my receding hairline could be could be caused by a hair dryer and alcohol products? If so is that a reversible process? Thanks for your info and where do you think your scalp exercises can fit into all this? I really would like to get my hairline back and I know the longer I wait the less of a chance I have at doing so! | ||
| Freddie |
Hi, Whatever you do, stay the hell away from hair transplants. What you see on TV does not reflect what you will get in real life. Most of those doctors are just crooks out to get thousands of dollars from you and leave you disfigured for life. You are in your early 20s. As you grow older, your hair loss will progress even with propecia + minox. As you lose hair in front and on top, your unsightly hair transplants become more and more noticable. It looks like insects have eaten through your hair. And god help you if you get conned into a scalp reduction. You'll have frankenstein like scars running all over the top of your head coming into view as you thin out. Hair transplants leave a large scar at the back of your head where the donor hair is taken in strips and sewn up. If at any point you wish you shave your head (the last decent option for a hair loss sufferer), you're stuck. You will look like you had brain surgery. Lots of hair transplant victims are so badly disfigured, they have to wear rugs not out of choice but necessity. These pages may be of interest to you : http://members.aol.com/LongScars/index.html www.bosleymedicalviolations.com | ||
| Tom Hagerty (Admin) |
Patrick: First of all, read what Freddie wrote about hair transplantation. This is right on target. A young guy like you shouldn't even consider this option. Hair in the donor area will look thick and full in a good prospect for hair transplant surgery, but doctors or their sales reps might still suggest surgery even if the hair in the donor area is not adequate. But as Freddie said, "...stay the hell away from transplants." Some people say that they have seen regrowth of terminal hair in the frontal region, but the percentage of people with success in this region is small. A hair dryer can cause damage to the shaft of the hair, but it is highly unlikely to cause damage to the follicle where the hair is generated. When you use a hair dryer dont get it too close to the scalp and keep moving it around - but I'm sure you know this already. Alcohol might dry your scalp but it will not cause hair loss. In fact, the base of Rogaine is alcohol. You can be sure that Upjohn would not use alcohol in their product if it contributed to hair loss. "Where do... the scalp exercises fit into all this?" Read My Approach again and figure this out for yourself. | ||
| Anonymous |
Hey thanks for the response. I really appreciate it. I am no longer considering hair transplants as an option. However, I am thinking of starting Propecia and taking Minoxidil 2% for my frontal hairloss. My frontal hairline just keeps getting worse. Is there any site on the Internet you can suggest that I can order Propecia without a prescription? Also, if I take Proscar and cut the pills up in 4 would that be just as effective as taking Propecia? It seems like it so much cheaper to do that. Also, I would love to hear any other suggestions you may have for me as of what to do for my hairline. I am at the point where I am getting so depressed to be having this issue at my age. It's good to know there are other people out there that I can talk to about this with because it's to embarrassing for me to bring up with anyone else. | ||
| Tom Hagerty (Admin) |
Anonymous: There is not too much evidence that Propecia and Minoxidil will help with the frontal hair line. These drugs are more effective in halting further hair loss and in growing new hair in the crown area. The companies that developed these drugs say this explicitly in their brochures. Proscar pills are not scored but I'm sure you can still cut them to get the right dose. The ingredients in Proscar are exactly the same as in Propecia. Do your own cutting and save money. I'm sure there are Web sites that sell Proscar and Propecia without prescription, but I don't know which ones. I'd be careful of doing business with sites south of the border. | ||
| Anonymous |
Hey Tom I'm thinking about getting Propecia online to spare myself the embarrassment of going to the Dr. to get a prescription. I think I'm gonna get the Proscar pills to try and save money and buy a pill cutter at the store. Do you think that's a good idea if I'm just starting out? I'm gonna purchase the pills at www.viagrakeywest.com . have you or anyone else heard anything good or bad about this site? Please let me know what you think. I'm running out of options. I'm 21 and receding badly. Thanks for your advice and i'm sure not just me but everybody that uses this site appreciates what you do! | ||
| Tom Hagerty (Admin) |
Anonymous: If you're receding badly and running out of options, viagrakeywest.com probably is as good as anyone for Proscar and a cookie cutter. I hope you don't need Viagra yet. I hope you keep this site in mind. In six or eight months I'd like to hear from you again. Tell us about your progress or lack of progress. I hope you're ready for a long journey. | ||
| Anonymous |
Tom, This is my current situation. Any feedback would be great. Right now I don't want to get caught up in too many different things. I tried minox 2% for about 1 1/2 - 2 months before giving it up because the shedding never slowed up a bit. I'm thinking now about going on minox 5% for just my hairline as it has receded and the entire hairline has thinned out. I have a longer face so this is almost unacceptable to me. I'm already at the age of 21 am thinking about saving for a HT down the road in 2-3 years. I have been taking Proscar for exactly a month(july 10). So far I went through a shed in the first 2 weeks which was pretty bad, but now I really don't lose much hair. The problem is my hair is so thin and has a light color that it looks thinner then when i started. I've started taking L-Lysine and the GNC multi v with saw palmetto in it 2 weeks ago. What are your thought about L-Lysine? Do you think I should add the minox 5% maybe just one application a day at night? If i put minox on my scalp where I already lost hair and not actually where the hair is thinner will I go through a shed? Basically will I shed where I don't apply the minox? And do you think it's ok to just start out with 5% minox one time a day at night with my current regimine? Thanks for your advice in advance, I really appreciate it! | ||
| Freddie |
Just 3 things : 1) Take propecia daily without fail 2) Use 5% Rogaine 3) Try out Tom's scalp exercises The sooner the better. If this does not slow down your hairloss, then my humble opinion is that nothing else will. Don't worry about the endless if and but scenarios. Nobody really has all the answers and you will only know if it works for you when you try. Just make sure you stay with it for at least a year without jumping from one treatment to another. Take photos of your head every month to help track your progress because you won't remember what your head looked like 12 months ago. Good luck. | ||
| james patrick |
I am 24 years old and have been balding at the temples since my late teens. I was considering surgery but thanks to your site and all the people who have wrote in i have decided to drop this idea. I have begun your exercises but i was wondering if there was any other form of treatment i could use for the regrowth of my hair. If Rogaine and Propecia dont work for front balding is there anything that does, be it a chemical or herbal treatment ? | ||
| Tom Hagerty (Admin) |
James Patrick: Before you decided to drop the idea of the surgical option did you read So You're Going Bald? by William Lenihan that I have a link to on my Hair Transplant Surgery page? This is a powerful and persuasive piece of writing. Even contemplating a transplant at age 24 is a disaster according to Lenihan. Of course I recommend continuing with the scalp exercise, but, as I have said many times, do not expect progress fast. Concentrate on doing the exercise right - full movement of the scalp. The absolute honest truth is that I know of nothing, chemical or herbal, that will work for frontal balding. There are many promises out there on the Web and there are many "testimonials" of success but I don't believe them. | ||
| Anonymous |
I'm using Rogaine and am thinking of using Propecia as well. Will I have to go through the whole shedding process again ? If so, is it as bad as Rogaine shedding?, and can I reduce the Rogaine useage to once a day ? | ||
| Tom Hagerty (Admin) |
Anonymous: Both Propecia and Rogaine often produce initial shedding for one, two, and even three months. Rogaine usually is worse than Propecia when it comes to shedding. You have to experiment on how often to apply Rogaine. People are different in how they respond to this drug. Another thing about these drugs that has recently attracted attention - both are subject to "resistance." The body can build up a tolerance to Propecia and Roagine. The dose that was first effective may no longer be as effective. | ||
| Anonymous |
Would the person in their early 20's using Propecia and Minoxidil please give us another update on your progress!?  Thanks! | ||
| Anonymous |
I'm 22...I've been using Proscar 1/4 everyday for 5 1/2 months. So far I really haven't noticed anything to speak of. My hairline is definitely worst than when I started, which was my main reason for starting proscar. I'm thinking of adding Minox to my regimen, but I really don't like the sticky feeling of it on my scalp. I'm going to keep taking Proscar like I have been for about another 6 months before I decide on whether or not to stop taking it. It might be helping to maintain my crown, but I'm not sure of this. I feel like I still lose about the same amount as I did before, so I'm just hoping for a turnaround. | ||
| Anonymous |
Are there any 5-piece pill cutter for cutting 5 mg tablets? A star shaped cutter-correct dose (impotence scares me!) and 20% cheaper. | ||
| Anonymous |
Anyone! Do Rogain and propecia acutally cause an increased hair loss the first month. Has anyone noticed that? | ||
| Tom Hagerty |
Anonymous: Most everyone experiences an initial hair loss with both Rogaine and Propecia. This is not a new revelation. The inserts of both products warn you about this. | ||
| thinning21 |
minoxidil 5% works in the front..I have no doubt about it, you just have to put more than 6 sprays(1 mL) there so that that area completely absorbs at least one mL. Im on my sixth week of using minoxidil and im noticing light light hardly visible brown hairs definitely come in. In a few weeks, they'll definitely be visible..I started putting the crap on my temples just to experiment to see if it would regrow anything or at least keep what I have...I have no doubt now that it is working. Just remember to use more than one mL in those areas to ensure that your receding areas absorb at least one mL . Leave room for error...it runs off your scalp down your face it could get wiped off from brushing against someone or something etc etc...all reasons for why it may not be effective. If you do this, you may see results like me but then again nothing is certain but its certainly worth a try. GOOD LUCK | ||
| Trekker |
Hi, I'm 24 and am going bald from the front. I have been using minoxidil 2% for the past seven months, and have noticed an improvement in my frontline. Not very much, but it is still an improvement, and i am optimistic. | ||
| Anonymous |
Hi guys, I am in 20's and am suffering have been suffering from frontal baldness. I think the best solution is to forget about it and just maintain a clean scalp. Meditate and keep your mind calm. I know how it feels to be going bald, but be confident and forget about what the world thinks... | ||
| Tom Hagerty |
Anonymous: Your prescription might be good for you but not for most people who visit this forum. Image means a lot, especially to young people who are heavy into the dating game. Just being "confident and forgetting about what the world thinks..." is hard for most mortals. Being bald definitely is a disadvantage if you're out in the world. | ||
| Bobby |
Actually Tom, he IS right... hair may be important cosmetically, but isnt really all that important to the mind, body or spirit... Being happy with who you are is way more important than being accepted into society, whether you believe it to be true or not.. but the only problem with that is, those who still have hair dont seem to accept this fact as easily, and they tend to discriminate, probably without even realizing it. I maybe bald one day, i may not, i may only go partially bald, i may go completely and utterly bald.. no matter what happens i'm still gonna be who i always was. Hair should really have no effect on this (but unfortunetly it does..).. | ||
| Anonymous |
hey. my hair has begun to go back on the temples.. if i was to rub minox on my temples and not on my hair to see if it would do anything.. would i still shed?? even it it doesnt touch the hair? | ||
| Anonymous |
I've been going bald since I was 17. I started shaving my head when I was 22 and now I'm 25. I recently saw that I have lost more hair in the front and crown areas. I meeting with a dermatologist in one month and I just want to get the most out of it. Using Propecia/Rogaine/Minox. all seem pretty scary seeing as how I have to lose more hair before I can gain some. If I use Rogaine for my crown will it destroy my frontal area? | ||
| Anonymous |
I have had a receding hairline since I was 17, but it was well hidden because my hair was pretty thick. The only time anyone ever said anything was when I got a haircut or I pulled my hair back (I had REALLY long hair). Anyway, I recently started taking the drug Adderall for ADD and after 2 months my hair started falling out at an alarming rate. I can now see my scalp and am really stressed out. I stopped taking the Adderall (amphetamine) because I read that one of its (unlisted) side effects is hair loss. My doctor is ignorant to this fact, so my questions are: can I (should I) do anything about it? And will it grow back like all the websites on baldness say it will? My head is too large to be a skinhead. | ||
| matt |
Hey, I'm 33 and have been losing my hair slowly for 2 or 3 years now. I was in denial for quite a while, since it really didn't look bad, and I still had quite a bit of hair. Well, recently, it was becoming more obvious to others, to the point where a woman commented on it on a date, lol. I still thought, "oh, it's not bad, but i'll watch it and be ready". Well, there was an incredible stress event in my life, which kept going and going, including 2 weeks of living out of a fast food bag, and it became noticeable, and very alarming. I quickly got on propecia, and noticed no effects, of course, for the first month or 2. There was no progress on that, so I added NANO shampoo, followed shortly thereafter by minoxidil 2 times daily, along with Nizoral, and you know... I think it's stopped. It took a long time (like 4 months), and was noticeably worse up until recently, but I really believe I've stabalized, and am now improving thickness and coverage somewhat. I went through the 1 to 1.5 month shedding stage, especially after starting the minox. I use the nizoral 3 times a week (following instructions to wash/rinse, repeat), the NANO on the other days, and the nano conditioner 2-3 times a week. The important thing to me is that my regimen of Propecia/Minoxidil/NANO/Nizoral seems to be HOLDING BACK THE PROGRESS, and gives me a feeling of control. It's a pain in the ass, and I use 3 ML's of minox each time (3 times the dose, but remember, their recommended dose only covers the crown, and I use it everywhere). I hit the frontal area very hard with the minox, using a full ML on it, making sure it's saturated. | ||
| PKA |
Sounds like things are heading in the right direction, you must be relieved! How long since you started on Propecia? | ||
| mike |
Matt: Nizoral has to be used only once, you should not repeat it, and you only have to leave it on your scalp for 4 minutes. | ||
| Jared Helembrant |
I am 23 and I'm going into the television industry and my rapidly receding hairline could ruin my career (unfortunately, but that's how the industry operates.) I have taken all sorts of vitamins to slow the process down but have experienced nothing but disapointing results. I'm hesitant to use minoxidil and finasteride since the effects have proven to be minimal or next to nothing around the hairline. This forum helps temendously but I have not read one remarkable recovery. Does anyone have any idea how much time will elapse until a cure is discovered for those who are suffering? Are researchers even close to a cure? Hairloss may just be reality even for years to come. How do I cope with the loss and gain my confidence back in the meantime? Thanks J-man | ||
| michael |
It is believed that type I of 5-alfa reductase is also and mainly responsible for receiding hairline. There are also positive results reported by doctor Lee starting with Xandrox 12.5% for hairline. If I were you I would use Avodart which inhibits also I type of 5 alfa reductase up to 50 % and I would also use Xandrox 12.5% or 15%. | ||
| Nick |
Hey, im only 15, and my dad is pratically bald. he does that sweep over hair style to cover up the spots. Anyways, i was wondering about myself also. Since hair loss is hereditary, i know that eventually i will become bald. But i want to know if there's any way to prevent it, or atleast slow it down. Ive been noticing that my scalp gets itchy and im afraid to scratch it cause i think it mite my my hair fall out, and not grow back again. Can i scratch it? Oh, and seondly, if i use rogain now, will it noto work when im older? Or would it be a waste to use it now | ||
| Tom Hagerty |
Nick: Heavy scratching irritates the scalp. An irritated scalp is not a good environment for hair follicles. My advice - don't scratch. Rogaine is not advertised as a drug for preventing hair loss; it's to deal with hair loss once it has started. Remember what Nancy Reagan said when her husband was President - "Say no to drugs." Especially at 15 you don't want to start on Rogaine. Of course, I never paid any attention to Nancy Reagan, but what the hell. | ||
| Nick |
Hey Tom, Thanks for the advice. But i have one more question. Just because my dad's bald ( as well as his father) doesnt mean im going to bald does it? I understand it could be hereditary. But does it mean i will definitely go bald as well? | ||
| Anonymous |
hey nick, you'll know in about 2 more years. enjoy your hair while you still have it. | ||
| Joseph Walters |
I have been using Rogaine, but only applying it once at night before going to bed. I am using the 2% solution and have really thick hair in the back, but my frontal area has been receding for 2 years now. I think it is working a little bit, but I am still seing some recession. Should I apply twice a day? | ||
| Onehair |
Hi guys, Just found this chat room by accident, searching the answers for the same question you have. I do strongly believe that hair loss has a lot to do with stress. My dad is partially bold and my mother has very thin hair. No people in my family are bald ecxept my grandpas. My brother's hair are very strong but mine are falling out like crazy. I figured that I have hard times fighting stress and simple things are getting to me. So a year ago I had a chance to get away to europe and leave all my wories at home. My hair had thickened because I felt spiritually and physically strong person. I got back to my home and entered professional school, my girl left me and parents got a divorced, had a car accident...my castle of confidence crubled down together with hair. I think I will start meditate and massage my scalp, before I start anything chemical treatment. Diet means a lot remember that we are not only animals we are vegetables too. I know is sounds crazy but fact is hair and nails of a dead man grow for a certain period of time. So make sure you eat a lot of vegetables. Cut on sugars and fast food. | ||
| Bryan B. |
Dear Tom: I am 26 now, but have been experiencing a receeding hairline since I was about 17. The odd thing is that there is no history of hair loss in my family (both my grandfathers and dad all have full heads of hear, though my mom's dad has a receeded look). Anyway at one time I was using Propecia and Rogaine and seemed to improve. Now I am just on Propecia, but am thinking of going back to the combination again. My questions are: (1) is it possible that I maintain a "receeded" look like my mom's dad; (2) Why would I loose my hair if no one in my immediate family really has; (3) do you think a Rogaine/Propecia combo is, indeed, helpful; and (4) have you heard anything about this new Nisim treatment that uses shampoos and conditioners with a special growth stimulant, all on the surface? | ||
| Anonymous |
Hi guys, I had to comment as I see a lot of people asking the same question. To figure out if you are going to go bald in the future, look at your mother's father, not your father's father. Hair loss is a trait passed on from your mother's side, not your father's. Good luck! | ||
| Anonymous |
Actually that's just a myth, it can be passed by both sides. | ||
| Anonymous |
Im 41 and have been on propecia and minoxidil for for 4 1/2 yrs. I had been receeding in the front scalp and thinning pretty quickly, but started the dual regiment right away. Almost 1/2 a decade later im better than when i started by about 15%. All my old friends say how did you keep your hair? haha...it works...stick with it...even for us old guys.... | ||
| jon |
Hey guys, Im 21 and have been using propecia now for three years and had good success with it, although my thinning has recently sped up along my frontal hairline. Having read around a little i thought id give minoxidil a go to see what happened: 1) I started 2 months ago 2) Especially in the last month, i seem to have noticed dramatically increased shedding from all parts of my scalp, even though i am only applying minoxidil to the front 3) I am seriously considering stopping because it seems to be making things worse The question is - 1) i know minoxidil isnt approved for frontal hairloss, but is that just because the clinical trials (which take years to approve) only focused on the crown area? 2) Or is there a scientific reason why it is less likely to work at the front? 3) Is using it, even if ineffective, able to make things worse? 4) I have noticed a couple of small hairs near the application area, but on average i think the quality and number has declined. Whats your advice as to whether i should stop? thanks for your help... the forum is great Jon | ||
| Anonymous |
I am 36. Sad story but just went out and bought my first dose of Extra Strength Minoxidil. I was hoping that by now they would have some wonder drug. Guess I will have to stick with the old regiment, for the time being. All the best and Power to Bald People! EM | ||
| cb |
i'm 24 and have been using 5% for four months now. i put 1mL on the crown twice a day and also, just like someone said earlier, 1 mL in the front twice a day; and after shedding, i now have regrown my hairline. but, it did take much longer to grow back than the crown and it's not quite as thick, but that's ok with me. i think this may be related to the fact that i am just 24 and the follicles in the front of my head haven't totally dried up and died yet. anyway, i'd say that being persistent is key and also accepting the fact that the results may not quite be what you want. but, 5% worked for me. oh yeah, and i also just started taking an inositol supplement as of two weeks ago. | ||
| John Jones |
I have been using monoxidil 5% and propecia for the better part of two years quite successfully. i would advocate that anyone who can takes it as early as possible, because I have had great results. tom, i have balding only on one side upfront- the side that i put minoxidil on- it is dramatically different from the other temple. i've heard that if balding is assymetrical it is not alopecia, but related to something else. should i stop using the minoxidil on that side? | ||
| Anonymous |
John, I have had the same problem for more than a year, that is only recession on my left temple, the right looks perfect. My hair has always been a bit thinner on the left side, And I guess that my left side is just eaiser affected by the dht. The whole idea with minox is the put the follicles into overdrive so the dht don't have the time to kill he follicles as fast. It's really a pain with the assymettric look, I almost wish that I could loose hair on booth sides. Anyway, I have been on minox for only 2 weeks now, but the initial shedding are making me mad, I don't want to loose anymore, buhu! In the rogaine instructions it says that if the shedding are longer than a week one should look for a doctor. John, when did you notice improvement? Anyone, is the minox a right battle against assymetric balding?? | ||
| Anonymous |
I'm 26 and just starting to see my hair receeding. I live in Germany, so we have some of the same products, but all require a prescription. I have no thinning on the crown (vertex area), but I am convinced that my hair on the sides temples is going at an alarming rate. I really |
