22 and receding..

[grungeguy]

Hello my name is Brandon I've noticed my hair start to go since I was about 19. I'm 22 now. Where am I at on the Norwood Scale and what can I do to treat this? Below are some pics of my hairline at 22 and when I was about 12. Thanks.

[grungeguy]

Cmon.. A little help here.

[grungeguy]

Respond ****ers damn I thought this site was supposed to give advice?

[Thaddaeus]

Finasteride or dutasteride are the primary treatments and minoxidil and nizoral can be used to supplement your regimen. If you get side-effects from the finasteride and can't tolerate them then you can use RU58841 as a topical anti-androgen instead.
Your hair line is receding, best to start with 1-1.25mg finasteride per day and see if the hair-loss stabilizes, if you need more regrowth then hop onto the minoxidil bandwagon later. I'd say you're about a NW2.

[grungeguy]

How much is RU58841? I heard propecia has side affects..

[Thaddaeus]

RU58841 costs a fair bit ($450/20g) plus it's an unstable compound probably best stored in the fridge/freezer, it's also an experimental compound not approved for use on humans.

Finasteride causes side-effects in a minority of men who use the drug and for the majority of men that do get side effects they subside after discontinuation of the drug. It's a proven effective treatment and will help about 90% of those who use it in stopping hair-loss.

Note, that if you do get side effects they usually manifest a few days after taking it and will likely subside if you continue taking the treatment, these side-effects will mostly disappear within 2-3 months of taking it and are the result of your hormonal system having to adjust to a different hormonal profile.

[grungeguy]

Is it possible to restore a nw1 hairline

[Thaddaeus]

It is possible for some people but it depends on how fast your hair line has receded, if the loss has been rapid then there is a good chance of recovery of these hairs but if the recession has been over a couple of years or more then full recovery of the hair line is less likely.
Transplants could certainly do it provided you establish that finasteride or others work for you to stop the progress of MPB.

There's nothing wrong with an NW2 hairline if you can at least hold it there, it shows maturity or you'll look smarter.

[grungeguy]

Thanks man. Honestly I just want to prevent more hairloss. I noticed my hair going when I was 19 and it's the same at age 22. Unfortunately I am broke atm until I finish army basic training (starts Oct 5th for me)

[Thaddaeus]

Don't go for brand name propecia, if you decide to take this route, due to the high expense. There are many perfectly fine generics that are just as effective. I pay 28 euro for 46 tablets of 5mg finasteride from a registered pharmacy that are quartered giving a 6 month supply. It doesn't need to be expensive.

[grungeguy]

So taking 1/4 dose a day? How has the generic worked at that dosage for you? Any side effects?

[Thaddaeus]

Yes, I took the generic form that is available in my country, 1/4 of the dose that is prescribed for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) i.e. 1.25mg finasteride which is 25% more than is normally prescribed for hairloss.
I did get side effects but they went away, they were unpleasant but now I'm glad that I persevered and did not quit, most people do not get what I experienced however.
Hair loss accelerated for 1-2 months since beginning but settled down over 2-3 months.

[DAVE52]

Unfortunately I am broke atm until I finish army basic training (starts Oct 5th for me)

Are they going to shave your head ?

"cause If they do, that will solve your issue