what should I do now?

[pick]

Hi all!
I am 18 years old and have quite thin hair.
My hair in the corners above my temples is pretty thin and less dense.
I must mention that I am not bald at all now,and have full proper hair and am only afraid about going bald.
My dad ,his brothers,grandfather,and lots of other people in my family are bald.
So my chances of going bald are pretty good.
Should I do something about it right away?
Should I see a doctor just to know stuff?
I know the popular opinion is there isn't a cure for baldness but for transplantation(male pattern,which is what might happen to me),but they speak of several other things like laser treatment,homeopathy,Rogaine,Propecia,and stuff.
When should go talk to a doctor about these?ANd what doctor should I speak to?
THank You

[KeepTheHair]

Homeopathy is a scam industry.

Lasers don't do jack shit - total SCAM.


You need to get on Finasteride if you have male pattern baldness.

[KeepTheHair]

Do not get a hairtransplant - the shit rarely ends well and it's more complicated than you think.

As you said you dont need one.

3 things that work: Finasteride, Minoxidil, Ketoconazole 2%.

Those 3 active ingredients work, do not spend money on anything else for hair loss.

[8868alex]

Keep the hair -

I appreciate that you are always posting with a view to offering advice but I have to ask, what would you say if I told you that I use laser therapy and I feel that it has some benefit with regards to retention? I don't know your experience with it but I read about people who have used it expecting it to regrow hair. Neither Minoxidil or Propecia are particularly good at that. Retention is the key.

[HelpROGER]

I disagree that most hair transplants don’t end up well. I think if you of to a good doctor a lot of guys have great hair transplants. 18 is way to young for a hair transplant anyway, but I don’t think people should be misinformed.

I also have heard that some people believe they have had some success with lasers so this can not be ruled out either. I think you should see a doctor and if you have MPB talk to him about Propecia.

[8868alex]

Roger -

Wise words.

[KeepTheHair]

Propecia maintains hair - minoxidil and lasers won't.

Lasers don't do a ****ing thing for hair. NOTHING.

[pick]

My main question is,what should I do 'now'?
Is there anything that should be done at an early age?
Do bald people say "OH i should have done that when I was 18 or so"?
How about this "hair cloning"http://www.aderansresearch.com/
When is it expected?

[8868alex]

Pick -

I think Roger gave the best advice. Speak to a doctor (one in the IAHRS). Get a qualified diagnosis and discuss the various therapies. As you may read, Propecia and Minoxidil are generally the best options. Other options like PRP and laser therapy can be discussed. Generally there the jury is out on the last two, but do your research and make an informed decision. Good luck.

Keep the hair -

With respect, I must disagree. I do feel that for whatever reason you are quite dogmatic in your view. Perhaps you have tried other therapies and they have not worked for you. I guess this is fair enough. However, if you look up the opinion of Dr Bauman, Dr Charles, Dr Reece, Dr Ziering and many others you will see their educated analysis of laser therapy. Granted, there is no guarantee with any treatment modality, yet the beneficial use of Nizoral type shampoos (which I do use by the way) does not have any definitive basis. Why you believe this is any more a legititmate therapy is questionable.

You have the right to yout opinion though and best of luck to you in whatever therapy you use.

[pick]

So I have to see a hair restoration surgeon.
But there aren't any around here.
Any other general name(like a dermatologist?)?
And when?
I have no signs of hair fall now,but I am scared if it will happen anytime in the next 4 years.
The main problem is,I am going to leave home and go to college(a good one) to study.
The place where my college is,is pretty dead,no good doctors around.(its a small town)
So should I sit back and wait in my house(in a big city),just in case my hair will start falling.
My dad says his hair started falling when he was 25.
Is there a way to know when mine might happen?

[VictimOfDHT]

No. There is no way to know when your hair will start falling out or how fast it will. But if you have no sign of loss I wouldn't be too worried for now. You might not even lose your hair after all. I know it's easier said than done. Been there and it -the fear- literally ****ed my life up.

I doubt lasers work. Maybe those big ones at clinics but I still doubt it. Finasteride, Minoxidil are the ONLY two things that are proven to help regrow some hair, maintain or slow down the loss but they do NOT work for every body. Nizoral shampoo can help too but not on its own.


I too disagree that all hair transplants are useless or dont end up well. HTs can do miracles in the hand of a good doctor AND if you're a good candidate (enough donor hair and a smaller than usual bald area...).
HT is a big decision and it is a commitment. Usually, if you get one, especially at an early stage of hair loss, you'll end up needing more as hair loss progresses. It is costly as you know and can't give you the original fullness but it IS better than being bald like a water melon. Don't listen to all the stuff about HTs changing the look of your face or making your hairline too high -due to pulling....

[KeepTheHair]

I'd just like to caution anyone about this 8868alex guy, he knows nothing about hair loss.

Nizoral/Ketoconazole 2% has been studied and HAS been proven to work. It worked for me also.

There are several studies showing it's efficacy.


http://www.************/hair-loss/fo...st_answer.html

http://www.hairlosssucks.com/download/nizoral.pdf

Go on any hairloss forum and ask any of the experienced users what they think about Nizoral/Keto and then ask what they think about laser therapy. You will quickly find answers resonating with my stance.

Dr. Bauman makes money from lasers...of course he will say they work. Do not be so foolishly ignorant.

Also, do you ever find doctors such as Dr. Feller who have an EXTREMELY strong stance AGAINST lasers going against Ketoconazole? No, you don't.

Lasers don't do jack shit. Ketoconazole works.


Get your facts straight. Truth is not a democracy. It's not about opinion.

[8868alex]

Keep the hair -

Listen, I don't want a war of words. Please be advised that I wasn't being rude to you so how about the same in return?

I did actually say that I use Nizoral so I'm not entirely refuting any benefit, just stating that it's a shampoo. If it works for you then great. Your opinions are your own and I'm not going to try and change them. As for the warning comment, I think that is a little paranoid. Far be it from me to challenge your status as supreme authority on all things hair loss, but I actually do have some applicable knowledge and I don't need validation from you on that. What I tend to do is read up on the position of experts (including the names listed). I have the upmost respect for Dr Feller and I'm not trying to upset anyone.

Fact is, I have benefitted from the various therapies discussed whether you like it or not. Whilst I think you are coming across as a rude big mouth, I understand that you are trying to help others. That at least I respect. What do you think?,.. I'm trying to convert the world to the merits of laser therapy?.. not my style. If you read any of my posts, you will see that I advise others to do their own research and make up their own minds. For the record, I am very sorry for the guys who forked out thousands for laser therapy. It's not something I would do and it's important for people to pass on their experience. No need to be a dick though!

[KeepTheHair]

Well you don't know how many people get scammed because you talk about lasers. So shut the **** up.

toodles

[VictimOfDHT]

Man, you can't blame someone else's foolishness on this guy (alex). If someone wants to try lasers then let them try it. Unfortunately I got suckered into buying one some time ago. Of course after I bought it I just looked at it and knew it was a useless piece of shit that cost $ 600 and didn't even bother to use it after a month or so.