19 years old, hair loss (pictures included)

[Lawrence1]

Hi guys. So I'm 19 and I noticed I was losing hair/thinning a little over a month ago. I started finasteride around 3 weeks ago, and my hairline seems to continue receding. I have really long hair so I'm not always sure.

I know finasteride takes a while before you start to see results, but is it normal for hair loss to continue for some time after starting the medication? I'm wondering if I should also start using rogaine? Does anyone have a norwood estimate? The thinning is not great, I have always been able to see my hair part though, if that makes a difference.

My last concern is that I am starting finasteride too early, as my facial hair is still developing, and I don't want it to stop developing or existing hairs to grow in slower. Does anyone have experience with this?

[BaldBearded]

From what I have read, Finasteride will stop development of facial hair. You won't lose what you have, but you won't develop more.

So this, unfortunately may be a price you pay.

You are taking something that has an effect on your endocrine system.

https://www.drugs.com/propecia.html

Ask your doctor, and do your research.

[Localguy]

You do know that you will go thru a shed when you first start taking finasteride don't you? Also if you start rogaine. It can be very upsetting until it grows back. I personally think you are too young to be taking anything, and your hair is still thick. It may or may not kill your sex drive, that is too much of a risk at your age.

[Lawrence1]

I was told by people that my hair was thinning, so I was worried and decided to try out the finasteride. I heard that shedding is more of a rogaine problem, but it makes sense that finasteride would do that as well. I'm just worried that if I stop finasteride now, whatever hair loss I had will just continue at the pace it was going and I'll be pretty bald in only a few years, which I'm not prepared to handle at my age. So far I have not had any side effects of finasteride, but it is early on. Would it be a smart idea to stop the medication now and wait a year or so? I just don't want to lose a significant amount of hair so young.

[Localguy]

I think you are going to experience a shed now since you've been on Fin's for three weeks already, so don't panic too much. I think it will grow back. What you might have is what some call a maturing hair line. When I was about 21 my temples started to recede and I thought I was going bald for sure. But it only went so far and my hair stayed great until my 40's, then the crown slowly started to thin out a little. That's when I started fins, it worked great for me but really messed up my sex drive. The thing is you don't know for sure how it will effect you. I guess I would slowly cut down on the Fins until you can see a doctor and get professional advice. It's possible you just have a maturing hair line right now.

[robincurtz]

Is she a female? If yes, then what is the meaning of talking about finasteride?

[Lawrence1]

Uh.. I'm a he? I'm a guy...

[Lawrence1]

I did speak to a doctor about starting finasteride and she was fine with me doing so. I don't think I've started shedding yet? If I did, I can't tell. I'm going to see a dermatologist over the summer. I'm just concerned with starting finasteride and then stopping it, and having more hair loss as a result.