Is there any hope for me?

[akliner]

You said you first noticed you were thinning in May of this year, which is the same month the photo (with the guys in the bar) was taken. When did you take the series of photos which show your loss? I'm trying to determine whether you've experienced a sudden burst of loss or whether this is how your hair has been since you first noticed anything was amiss.

The photos taken with a flash are surely the ones that were most alarming to you. Remember that direct lighting from above - especially from a strong light source such as a flash or sunlight - can be very unforgiving, and your hair is arrow-straight which allows maximum light to penetrate to your scalp. With your hair type at that length and with those lighting conditions, even men (or children) with no hairloss will show some scalp.
I'm not trying to tell you your hair isn't thinning - it is, no doubt; but I'm trying to honestly say that it might not be as bad as it seems during this initial stage of panic, a time that all hairloss sufferers can relate to.

I was going to mention that the medications you are taking can cause an initial shed of hair which grows back, but looking back over the thread it seems that you've read about that. This is important. If you have experienced an apparent acceleration of hairloss over the past couple of months then this could very well the cause of that.

Definitely keep us updated.

mattj -- thank you for your post!

The photo at the bar was taken May 2010. The photo series demonstrating the hair loss was taken just Tuesday, July 27... 8 weeks into Rogaine 5%-- twice daily and 6 weeks in 1mg Propecia-- once daily.

From what I can tell, the Rogaine shedding typically subsides after 2 weeks. Are people experiencing longer sheds than that?

Ironically, my hair typically gets wavy when it's a little longer than it is now. I rarely buzz it down, although it may be something I should consider doing more often to help mask the thinness.

Anyway, I hope that information helps.

[mattj]

The waviness will, if anything, serve to cover the degree of your hairloss. From what you said it sounds like buzzing your hair has caused the loss to be more visible.

It isn't just the Rogaine that causes a shed. The Propecia can do that too. The combination of both might be responsible, and from the reports I've read over the years the sheds can occur months after commencing treatment. Some guys just can't tolerate this and quit the treatment while others sit it out and see improvement. There are some, it must be said, who report that this hair hasn't returned. Online hairloss medication testimonials do tend to be skewed towards the negative though.

[akliner]

The waviness will, if anything, serve to cover the degree of your hairloss. From what you said it sounds like buzzing your hair has caused the loss to be more visible.

It isn't just the Rogaine that causes a shed. The Propecia can do that too. The combination of both might be responsible, and from the reports I've read over the years the sheds can occur months after commencing treatment. Some guys just can't tolerate this and quit the treatment while others sit it out and see improvement. There are some, it must be said, who report that this hair hasn't returned. Online hairloss medication testimonials do tend to be skewed towards the negative though.

I like to think of myself as a relatively reasonable person who is patient and willing to sacrifice in order to achieve what I want in the long run.

Unless there is a consensus that I do something different, I plan to use these treatments for at least 2 years and document my head on a monthly basis.

I mean, it's all I CAN do, right?

[mattj]

Sounds sensible. And while I am sincere when I say that your hair really isn't bad at all, I do hope you see improvement. Keep us posted.

[akliner]

Sounds sensible. And while I am sincere when I say that your hair really isn't bad at all, I do hope you see improvement. Keep us posted.

Thanks! And if it doesn't get better, Dr. Rahal will be getting a call. HAHA.

[mattj]

Let's hope not, huh?

[akliner]

Let's hope not, huh?

Actually, I think the procedure sounds like it could be quite fun! Relaxing day in a chair...all hopped up on Valium...and then one year later...BRAND NEW HAIR!

But maybe I'm weird...

[Boondock]

I think you've got a very good attitude towards all this, and a very good likely outcome.

25 is young but not *that* young to start losing. Particularly with your regimen, you have a good chance of stabilizing and possibly regrowing hair. If you turn 30 and want to up the ante, you'll be a good age to embark on the transplant option.

Technology is improving, too, and there's a good chance we'll have better treatments available by the time you really need them.

[akliner]

I think you've got a very good attitude towards all this, and a very good likely outcome.

25 is young but not *that* young to start losing. Particularly with your regimen, you have a good chance of stabilizing and possibly regrowing hair. If you turn 30 and want to up the ante, you'll be a good age to embark on the transplant option.

Technology is improving, too, and there's a good chance we'll have better treatments available by the time you really need them.

Yikes. Well, I definitely know I want some hairline restoration done...in the next two years.

What I really need is somebody to tell me how many total grafts I got in my head!

[akliner]

Update:

It's been one month since I made this post. I thought I'd post 'progress' pictures. I'm not sure it's any worse. As you can see, my hair has grown in length, and is now buzzed on the back and sides.

I've noticed that I'm getting some regrowth of peachfuzz in my right temple, but you can't really see in the picture (the one where I'm pushing the mature hair aside in an attempt to highlight it).

Here is my regimen:

1.25mg generic Finasteride/daily -- 10 weeks
5% Rogaine Foam/2x daily -- 12 weeks
1mg Nizoral Shampoo/3x week -- 4 weeks

I also got a new camera (via my Droix X cell phone) and have taken these pictures in natural daylight without flash. Any feedback would be appreciated!

[mlao]

I think it honestly looks thicker and healthier then your last set of pictures. Congratulations!

[mattj]

It's hard to compare these photos to the others as the camera and lighting are different, but these look like they better represent what you and others actually see under most conditions, and I'd say it's looking pretty good. Your hair colour is ideal for hiding thinning and your hairline looks to be holding up well.

[akliner]

It's hard to compare these photos to the others as the camera and lighting are different, but these look like they better represent what you and others actually see under most conditions, and I'd say it's looking pretty good. Your hair colour is ideal for hiding thinning and your hairline looks to be holding up well.

Thanks for the reply... both of you. Matt-- I will be using this camera and lighting scenario from now on for the sake of consistency.

[Winston]

As Matt pointed out, these are much better images that look like they represent your situation well. I personally think you’re in a very good position. Your hair looks pretty full and the color definitely helps hide any loss that you do have. Keep doing what you are doing, you look very good!

[akliner]

As Matt pointed out, these are much better images that look like they represent your situation well. I personally think you’re in a very good position. Your hair looks pretty full and the color definitely helps hide any loss that you do have. Keep doing what you are doing, you look very good!

Thanks! I'm curious to see how it will progress/decline/whatever in the next few months.