New guy needs direction

[Thinningman]

Good morning, I have been slowly losing hair over the past few years and am trying to find good advice on where to look for treatment options. I have read lots on line about male pattern baldness and there appears to be many options but none that seem to help everyone. Is this something that I shoulds expect a local doctor to know much about or are they just going to take a shot in the wind and prescribe something they have heard works? How many of these products are available over the counter or should I just stick with prescription options? I think I am in the Norwood 3A to 3V range right now and would like to halt this if possible. I am in Vermont so would love to know if there are any Doctors in this area that might specialize in this. Thank you in advance for any assistance any of you may provide.

[tooyoungforthis]

I also am new to this and need some help/advice getting started in the process of addressing hair loss.

1) Medically where to start? Do you bring this up with a GP and get recommended to a derm or do you select a hair loss specialist first?

2) What are the basic costs associated with treating with the "Big 3", derm visits, etc.? Not anything specific, but a general idea of cost would be nice.

3) Does having a buzzcut cause any issues in how your derm is able to diagnose?

4) Is there any way to help with the ridiculous itch?

[BigThinker]

1) Medically where to start? Do you bring this up with a GP and get recommended to a derm or do you select a hair loss specialist first?

Personally, when I decided I was concerned enough to do something about it, I called a derm but my appointment was 1 mo out. So, I called and saw a GP next. My personal experience is that the GP didn't understand my concern, and I've heard similar things from other members. I would suggest seeing a derm, but consider a GP if the derm is backed up.

2) What are the basic costs associated with treating with the "Big 3", derm visits, etc.? Not anything specific, but a general idea of cost would be nice.

With a prescription, I believe you can get 1 mo. prescriptions of fin for under $10. I'm hoping to do that. There are 1% and 2% keto shampoos. 2% requires a prescription in the US. I believe the 1% is about the cost of upper end shampoo. Minox costs vary, most members recommend foam, and I believe that is considerably more expensive but considerably more convenient. Minox is the most expensive part of the big 3. Derm visits depend on your insurance coverage. If you're in a similar position to me, it's a $20 copay, would be a lot more without insurance.

3) Does having a buzzcut cause any issues in how your derm is able to diagnose?

If anything, I would think it should make it easier. But honestly, these are professionals that get asked about hair loss on a semi-regular basis, I wouldn't be too worried about that.

4) Is there any way to help with the ridiculous itch?[/QUOTE]

I got a high quality, volumizing, moisturizing shampoo which helped immensely. 2% keto shampoo was making my itching worse and even caused dandruff, so I had to start using a good shampoo on the off days to counter.

[inspects]

Good morning, I have been slowly losing hair over the past few years and am trying to find good advice on where to look for treatment options. I have read lots on line about male pattern baldness and there appears to be many options but none that seem to help everyone. Is this something that I shoulds expect a local doctor to know much about or are they just going to take a shot in the wind and prescribe something they have heard works? How many of these products are available over the counter or should I just stick with prescription options? I think I am in the Norwood 3A to 3V range right now and would like to halt this if possible. I am in Vermont so would love to know if there are any Doctors in this area that might specialize in this. Thank you in advance for any assistance any of you may provide.

Not knowing your age its hard to give any advice, personally I'm in my 50's, I never asked anyone what Norwood scale I was, I basically have VERY thin hair from front to back with thick sides and back. I was just sick of looking at it, I went directly to a transplant surgeon and had 2500 FUT done about four months ago.

I was prescribed 1-mg Propecia, and 5% Minoxidil. Since beginning the Propecia my hair loss stopped, I didn't notice any further loss which most here call shedding. I don't know what is helping the crown, but it is thickening up nicely, I didn't have that many hairs transplanted at the crown, the doctor figured that would be a good area to hit the second time, now I don't think I will even need any more back there, probably just dense pack the front in a year and I should be good to go.

Now I have 1/4 stubs growing over my entire scalp, feels like a cactus now when I run my hand through it, if your at a point in your life your just tired of looking at it, I suggest consulting with one of the many surgeons who visit this forum frequently, or email Spex and Gillinator their two very helpful consultants for very good surgeons, perhaps send them an email, I know their always willing to help anyone who needs it, they both been through the same thing I have, only years ago from what I've read.

"Gillenator"
Independent Patient Advocate
more.hair@verizon.net

SPEXHAIR

I represent and consultant for Feller Medical and Lindsey Medical: www.fellermedical.com If you would like a consultation: Online Consultation

[Thinningman]

Not knowing your age its hard to give any advice, personally I'm in my 50's, I never asked anyone what Norwood scale I was, I basically have VERY thin hair from front to back with thick sides and back. I was just sick of looking at it, I went directly to a transplant surgeon and had 2500 FUT done about four months ago.

I was prescribed 1-mg Propecia, and 5% Minoxidil. Since beginning the Propecia my hair loss stopped, I didn't notice any further loss which most here call shedding. I don't know what is helping the crown, but it is thickening up nicely, I didn't have that many hairs transplanted at the crown, the doctor figured that would be a good area to hit the second time, now I don't think I will even need any more back there, probably just dense pack the front in a year and I should be good to go.

Now I have 1/4 stubs growing over my entire scalp, feels like a cactus now when I run my hand through it, if your at a point in your life your just tired of looking at it, I suggest consulting with one of the many surgeons who visit this forum frequently, or email Spex and Gillinator their two very helpful consultants for very good surgeons, perhaps send them an email, I know their always willing to help anyone who needs it, they both been through the same thing I have, only years ago from what I've read.

Thank you very much for your reply. I am 37 years old and my hair loss has has always been in the frontal area with my hair line moving backwards. I have some loss in the crown area now also which apparently has been there for a while but it of course did not catch my eye. I am not really self conscious about it but I have a surgical scar just behind my hairline that runs ear to ear that just looks better being somewhat hidden underneath the hair. I have not talked to a physician yet but did not want to waste anyones time if it were better to seek out a specialist first. I have found some over the counter treatments with minoxidil but thought prescription level medicines might be more effective. I have read about the expected shedding after starting a treatment and that worries me as I am sure everyone else here has or had the same fear. I would rather give some of these medicines a try before looking into transplantation as I may or may not respond well to the medicines and transplantation I think is a little out of my budget right now. Thank you for the two e-mail addresses, I may reach out to them also for some advice. Thanks again for your input.