Am I a Norwood 2 or 3? (or 2A or 3A?)

[Tracy C]

Dr. Charles has mentioned sulfate free shampoo on this board several times. I use Aveeno "Pure Renewal" sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and like them a lot. There are other brands. It usually states on the bottle if it is sulfate free or not. If it doesn't say so on the bottle, it probably isn't sulfate free.

[Kirby_]

Sulfate free shampoo? Don't know anything about those TBH, in terms of what brand/product names to look for. Certainly would't mind trying those, I'll give anything a go at this stage.

[Tracy C]

I'll see how I go with fin before I add other stuff. That was always the plan TBH.

That is a good plan. If you do decide to add other stuff, consider giving the laser comb a try for about four months before you consider Rogaine/Regaine. Since you consider yourself a diffuse thinner, you are a better than average candidate for LLLT.

Are you using sulfate free shampoo and conditioner for your regular washing? If not, you should switch to sulfate free.

Here's what my hair looked like 16 or so months ago, incidentally.

I know some girls who wish they had hair as nice as yours.

BTW, being one who has used both, Dermmatch is way better than Toppik.

[Kirby_]

I'm 30. Never noticed hair loss until last October, that's more about the creeping nature of hairloss though. Hairline hasn't moved much if at all since 2006, looking back at old photos. Shed lots on fin within the first 6 weeks. Niz to start with also made me shed, overdid it early on using it twice a week.

[Johny.track131]

How old are you and how long did it take to get to this level of diffse. And also, hopefully the new treatments work, stick with toppik and dont fret, also i have never thought about this, but i just went over to look at the hair replacement thread, people are happy there

[Kirby_]

Might have to, when it grows out a bit, yes. Hopefully not as anything more than a temporary fill-in.

Here's what my hair looked like 16 or so months ago, incidentally.

[Johny.track131]

Why dont you use some Toppik Kirby? it'll help with the diffuse look

[Kirby_]

True, I know that Niz isn't much on its own. Still, has sorted out my dandruff and itching problems.

I'll see how I go with fin before I add other stuff. That was always the plan TBH. Again, I did shed a lot with fin compared to my starting point. Just have to see when/if it kicks in clawing back what I shed.

[Tracy C]

I am not so sure you would gain anything appreciable with Rogaine/Regaine - but you might. It could be the lighting in the photo. It's really impossible to say with any degree of certainty. Using my experience with my laser comb as a guide, I would think you would probably gain more from using it than Rogaine/Regaine. Besides, it might be a good idea to wait until you know how well you are responding to Finasteride before giving Rogaine/Regain a try.

Using Nizoral once a week is good - but you need to understand that Ketoconazole is not a stand-alone treatment for hereditary hair loss. It is an adjunct treatment.

[Kirby_]

Nope. Just Propecia and the Boots copy of Nizoral. Currently.

[Tracy C]

Which is ironic as when I went to initially get Propecia I was nearly turned away for having hair that didn't look 'bad enough'!

That is because you are in better shape than you think you are.

Are you using Rogaine/Regaine foam as well?

[Kirby_]

I'm five months in so far.

Feel too far gone at this stage TBH. Which is ironic as when I went to initially get Propecia I was nearly turned away for having hair that didn't look 'bad enough'!

[Tracy C]

I'm pretty screwed until/if stuff like Histogen ever hits the market though...

Not really. You are in better shape than you think you are. But as I said, it will take a long time. Time that is measured in months and years. Not weeks and months.

[Kirby_]

I'm pretty screwed until/if stuff like Histogen ever hits the market though, I realise. Only doing treatments to preserve what little hair i have until then. Hair's about Grade 1 or 2 length currently.

[Tracy C]

Going to be a struggle to get back to cosmetically viable hair.

Not really, if you respond to the medications - but it will take a long time. Using a laser comb every other day might speed it up a little bit - but not a lot.