new at the forum and have a question

I am new at this forum, a 29 year old guy who has been on fin for about 5 years now. During these 5 years I stopped taking it 3-4 times for 3-month periods so total duration was more like 4 years with the last 2 years without an interruption. I think I benefited it the best I could since I did not have noticeable hair loss during that time, however I thought I experienced an over-all thinning but without any changes in the hairline. Then on August I decided I should give a chance to minox, I used it for 7 months. Of course I had and incredible amount of shedding at first but I kept waiting. And my hair gone worse and worse with each day, the shedding did not stop. I shed a lot when I was applying it, I shed a lot when I was washing my hair. I also shed some of the best quality hairs I had, like really thick hair. My hair had never been that bad and my hair line also gone weak. Since I did not experience any regrowth at month 7, I dropped minox. Since then the shedding has come to normal. Now I wonder what did I do wrong. I have to say that I used more than the recommended amount since I used it once a day. When I applied it my hair was like very wet, maybe I used too much. I also had itchy scalp after minox, something I never experienced before. Now I don't know if I will grow back what I have lost with minox, did anyone experienced such thing before? I also wonder did I prematurely quit or is 7 months with extensive shedding and absolutely no benefit is enough to decide that?

minox shed usually lasts for a mnth or two at max. U did d ryt thng by stopping d use of minox. Nw u shud cnslt a specialist to find d real cause behind ur problem.

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Originally Posted by konfusion

new at the forum and have a question

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Shedding is an indication that the medicine was working. How much you will shed and for how long is different for everyone - it depends on how many of your hair follicles were damaged by DHT before you started using the medicine. Realistically, you should use the medicine for a full 12 months to determine if it is working for you and how well it is working for you. If you were having trouble with one brand of liquid Minoxidil, you should try another brand. The foam is less irritating, dries faster, is easier to use and it is more stealthy. Stopping the medication abruptly can usually cause a massive shed that can take a pretty long time to resolve - if it can resolve. It is best to taper on and taper off this medicine slowly. Using Nizoral shampoo once a week can help with any itching you may experience.

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Originally Posted by Tracy C

Shedding is an indication that the medicine was working. How much you will shed and for how long is different for everyone - it depends on how many of your hair follicles were damaged by DHT before you started using the medicine. Realistically, you should use the medicine for a full 12 months to determine if it is working for you and how well it is working for you. If you were having trouble with one brand of liquid Minoxidil, you try another brand. The foam is less irritating, dries faster, is easier to use and it is more stealthy. Using Nizoral shampoo once a week can help with any itching you may experience.

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Does Nizoral shampoo actually help balding? Or is it just to help with the balding treatments??

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Originally Posted by JohnnyBBald

Does Nizoral shampoo actually help balding? Or is it just to help with the balding treatments??

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Nizoral is not a stand alone treatment for hereditary hair loss. The active ingredient in Nizoral is a mild anti-androgen that can help as an adjunct to stand alone treatments for hereditary hair loss. Nizoral can also reduce or stop itching that you may experience from using Minoxidil as well as help ensure the health of your scalp. If you are treating hereditary hair loss, using Nizoral once a week is a good idea. Just don't use Nizoral more often than once a week.

Thank you for your opinions.
I actually went to a speacialist this January, who is regarded as one of the best in my country, and he identified my NW class as I (even though I think I am more like 1,5 going into 2), he said considering my age I have a very slow mpb that can be clinically classified as mpb but may not require medication, he said I don't need finasteride and he expects me to end up being NW 2 at most without any treatments. But I am bit suspicious about it, how can a doctor predict such thing even if he is a professor? I know that I am not going to drop off fin, at least until I am 50 or something.

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Originally Posted by Tracy C

Shedding is an indication that the medicine was working. How much you will shed and for how long is different for everyone - it depends on how many of your hair follicles were damaged by DHT before you started using the medicine. Realistically, you should use the medicine for a full 12 months to determine if it is working for you and how well it is working for you. If you were having trouble with one brand of liquid Minoxidil, you should try another brand. The foam is less irritating, dries faster, is easier to use and it is more stealthy. Stopping the medication abruptly can usually cause a massive shed that can take a pretty long time to resolve - if it can resolve. It is best to taper on and taper off this medicine slowly. Using Nizoral shampoo once a week can help with any itching you may experience.

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I also had a similar opinion, until recently. I think it's been about a month and a half since I quit minox and the shedding stopped. But the itching continues :( but it may be due to the hair spray I am using. I also have acne on my scalp, it is definitely not seborrheic dermatitis, just simple acne like the ones I have on my face. My doctor said he could prescribe me accutane if I want but I wasn't eager since I used it when I was a teenager and my doctor stopped the treatment after 2 months since I had abnormal blood results.