Hair Loss

[SmoothTalker]

Hey DJ's.

I am 18 and already experiencing some hair loss. The crown is still fine, but my hairline has already risen a lot, to the point that it's becoming noticible. Is this normal at such a young age?

Now I have done some research and know that hair loss is caused by DHT. However I know that Propecia often ****s you up, gives you manboobs, etc, and it's expensive, so I really do not want to go that route. I've also heard that saw palmetto influences DHT levels, hence why it is so effective for prostate problems (like Propecia's brother, Proscar), but has fewer side effects. My question is, is saw palmetto worth trying to control my hair loss, and if so, what doses should I use? Anybody have any experience in this area? Thanks.

 

[blueguy]

Only way to know is to try...

Propecia didn't give me manboobs. That's only in about 1% of cases. I'm currently 24 and taking Avodart (Dustaderide). It is even stronger than Propecia and is used only as an off-the-label treatment for MPB. No erection differences. It's thickened my crown area and maintained everything else. I shampoo with Nizoral often. This also maintains. In addition, I've had 2 hair transplants for my front, totalling over 5000 grafts. Only a year ago, I was nearly bald. People thought I was ~30. But with the Avodart and transplants, I have a good-looking head of hair, and people think I'm ~20.

Also try to avoid fast food/dairy products. They're filled with hormones.

 

[The Living Legend]

I'm in the same boat. I'm a bit older than you are (24), but my hairline started receding in the past 2 years or so. It's not bad and people don't seem to notice yet, but it was alarming because my dad is bald and I think I'd look terrible bald. So, I started doing some research.

I decided not to take anything resulting hormonal changes, like Propecia. I don't like the idea of blocking a DHT in the entire body, even if it does eat hair. I started taking generic Rogaine (minoxidil 5%) on the hairline about 6 weeks ago, and I already have some baby hairs cropping up in places that have receded. It wasn't my goal to regrow, but to maintain; a little regrowth is fine by me, though. I'm not complaining.

I've also added over the counter Nizoral 1% shampoo to buff the regimen a bit. It's not supposed to do much on it's own though.

I'm also looking into adding Topical Spironolactone 5%. I'm still doing research, but it's supposedly great for the hairline. Some people have sworn by a Minoxidil/Nizoral/Spiro stack for treating the hairline. Many people recommend "the big 3" of Propecia/Minox/Nizoral, but for me personally, there seems to be too much gray area when it comes to Propecia, in relation to weight lifting gains, long term effects of lacking DHT, etc. Many people have had great results using Propecia, though, occurances of side effects are generally small, but naturally using Propecia just comes down to being a personal choice everyone has to make. But then again, embarking on any hairloss treatment regimen is a big decision and must especially come as a shock to someone so young. Whatever you do, you'll probably be doing it for a long time.

P.S. Sorry, don't know enough about Saw Palmetto to comment. But, aren't the side effects caused by Propecia from the blocking of the DHT? Wouldn't Saw Palmetto have the same side effects?

 

[blueguy]

About the saw palmetto, the general consensus is that it is not strong enough to do anything noticeable. Check out www.hairlosshelp.com/forums/ Lots of good info there.

 

[The_flying_dutchman]

I've just started on 5% minoxidil Rogaine about 3 weeks ago. I haven't noticed any baby hairs yet but definitely my hair loss in the shower has significantly decreased. The only problem is that it irritates the hell out of my scalp so I skip a few sessions just to give my scalp a break.

I've also added over the counter Nizoral 1% shampoo to buff the regimen a bit. It's not supposed to do much on it's own though.

Hi Living Legend, where did you buy over the counter Nizoral from? I ran a search on both Wal-mart and Target and couldn't find any results. I"m looking ot add Nizoral to my routine as well.

Since I workout almost everyday, I have to actually shampoo my hair twice everyday-morning and night-- and it has caused a lot of loss. I know this may sound silly, but I started using baby shampoo because it's more gentle on my hair. I've actually noticed that I loose less hair if I switch to baby shampoo every 2 to 3 days.

 

[The Living Legend]

The Nizoral was in the shampoo section of a local grocery store. It's in a small blue box, so it's easy to miss. I know that I almost missed it.

 

[dopexile]

Only way to know is to try...

Propecia didn't give me manboobs. That's only in about 1% of cases. I'm currently 24 and taking Avodart (Dustaderide). It is even stronger than Propecia and is used only as an off-the-label treatment for MPB. No erection differences. It's thickened my crown area and maintained everything else. I shampoo with Nizoral often. This also maintains. In addition, I've had 2 hair transplants for my front, totalling over 5000 grafts. Only a year ago, I was nearly bald. People thought I was ~30. But with the Avodart and transplants, I have a good-looking head of hair, and people think I'm ~20.

Also try to avoid fast food/dairy products. They're filled with hormones.

How much did the transplants run you if you don't mind me asking... and what did you think about the procedure\results?

 

[blueguy]

$21,000 total... I run an Internet business so it wasn't that bad for me. And I took a huge risk in doing so. 5000+ grafts (especially in only the frontal third area) is a lot... maybe only 1% of transplant patients have reached that point. I may need more transplants if the Avodart doesn't hold the rest. So I'm banking on spending a lot more if needed. The Avodart is risky too, but both the transplants and Avodart have been great. In 95% of real life situations, nobody would ever know I had ever lost so much hair. I look like I have a full head of hair. I don't have as thick hair like I did when I was younger though... never will. I'll upload some pictures if you're truly interested.

I highly recommend Propecia/Avodart though. Hair loss took a huge external confidence hit for me. Avodart will in most cases keep the hair you have. Propecia is about ~70% as effective as Avodart. And saw palmetto is relatively unproven in hair loss. You can search Google for statistics.

Minoxidil will increase the blood supply to your hair and thicken it, but it will not prevent DHT from gradually diminishing the hair follicle. It will delay your loss because of the increased blood supply to the follicle but will not tackle the root of the problem. All the while you are using minxodil, DHT will still be strangling the root of the follicle, and this process cannot be reversed past the beginning stages.

 

[SmoothTalker]

Thanks guys. Anyone else?