I just started thinning... Is it possible to save all my hair?

[hugeshantz]

I'm 30 years old and have recently noticed that I'm balding. I'd say I'm between a NW1 and a NW2, with a hairline that is thinning - although the thinning is not noticeable except under direct light. As far as I can tell, there is no evidence of balding on my crown.

Baldness runs in my family. Nearly every man on my mom's side of the family is bald. My younger brother is visibly balding (probably a NW3 or NW4 at age 28). I thought I got lucky and wouldn't have to deal with balding because at my 30th birthday I had no signs at all of thinning, but apparently I'm just a late bloomer that way.

Immediately after I noticed the thinning along my hairline I got a prescription for finasteride (5mg Proscar cut into 1.25mg daily doses). I've been taking the finasteride for about 2 weeks. I think I can see very fine hairs coming in on my temples, but I'm not sure if it's really the finasteride working, or if it's wishful thinking about fine hair that may have already been there.

Is it possible that the finasteride is already working? Am I likely to be able to save all of my hair? Does anyone have any advice regarding additional measures I should be taking?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Tracy C]

Is it possible that the finasteride is already working?

It takes a very long time to treat hair loss. The documentation for Finasteride stats that it takes 12 full months before you will know if it is working for you.

Am I likely to be able to save all of my hair?

Though you will probably save much of your hair from MPB, it is not likely that you will be able to save all of your hair. A certain degree of hair loss is a normal part of the aging process and in and of itself is not part of MPB.

Does anyone have any advice regarding additional measures I should be taking?

If you have not already switched out your shampoo and conditioner for sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, now is the time to do that. It would also be a good idea to wash your hair with Nizoral or Nizoral A-D shampoo once per week.

[mattj]

I'd say it's far too early to see any sort of positive response to Finasteride. You kinda did get lucky in that your balding started later and you caught it early.