How bad is it? 19 years old

[tdc66]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum so let me introduce myself.
I am 19 years old, and first noticed my hair loss a year and a half ago.

At first I thought I was losing hair on my vortex, but part of me still thinks that because I've had it for quite some time, it may still be a cowlick. I also have balding in my family; both my dad who lost his hair in his 30's and my maternal grandad, who started losing it in his mid 20's (though my dad's brothers still have full heads of hair...)

Anyway, my hairline has definitely gotten worse, to the point where I'm seriously considering taking generic finasteride - I don't have much money so can't afford the big three or normal propecia.

How bad is it? Am I norwood 1.5, 2 or worse? Could starting treatment now keep my hair for at least another 5 years?

http://imgur.com/a/wkEnL

Thanks

edit: I have a big forehead.

[BiqqieSmalls]

Hey man. I've been where you are. I was exactly where you are - at the age of 20 or 21. Now 23. Get on either Fin or Dut and Minoxidil 5%. Foam to the hairline and the liquid to the crown. Give it time. I was in denial until I, too, took pictures and saw when it actually looked like.

I'd say NW2 NW2.25

[DD1]

Walmart sells the brand Equate it is generic rogaine but good quality and cheap. I would start rogaine right away and add the finasteride if things get worse.

[tdc66]

Thanks for your advice man. I'm alright with taking fin, but quite sceptical about minoxidil because of how you almost can't skip a day.

Can fin work on its own?

[DD1]

Thanks for your advice man. I'm alright with taking fin, but quite sceptical about minoxidil because of how you almost can't skip a day.

Can fin work on its own?

Fin can work on its own but I would still use rogaine. You can skip a day or 2 and nothing is going to happen with rogaine. I got great results with rogaine when I first started but over the years it is not working as well but just slows the process down.

[Mpbman]

Thanks for your advice man. I'm alright with taking fin, but quite sceptical about minoxidil because of how you almost can't skip a day.

Can fin work on its own?

Definitely use minoxidil for the crown. I'm pretty sure it slowed down/regrew hair on my crown. I'm using it once per day for the most part and I sometimes skip 2 or 3 days and it doesn't really matter.

[tdc66]

Thanks for the replies.
How long have you been using rogaine and taking fun for?
Are there any cheap brands you would recommend? I'm from the Uk

[tdc66]

Thanks for the replies.
How long have you been using rogaine and taking fun for?
Are there any cheap brands you would recommend? I'm from the Uk

[Mpbman]

Thanks for the replies.
How long have you been using rogaine and taking fun for?
Are there any cheap brands you would recommend? I'm from the Uk

Not sure, must be at least 6 or 7 years that I'm using minoxidil. I usually buy the generic version (liquid) because it's way cheaper than Rogaine. I did use Rogaine too, but there's no real difference between Rogaine and generic Minoxidil.

I buy it at ebay or amazon (just search for minoxidil and read the reviews of the sellers to check that they're legit), 6 months supply usually - it's cheaper than buying a bottle each month.

[tdc66]

Thanks again man. What NW would you say I am? Is it too late?