Father trying save his 17 year old from MPB

[suki]

Hi All,

I noticed my son's hairline changing around 16 to 17.

It brought back memories of my childhood and how it zapped all the confidence in me.

Parents, especially mothers claiming otherwise, whilst it got worse and worse and there was no Finasteride to reach for.

Now I don't want my son or anyone else's son to go through what I did. Some embrace it, but most don't and don't want to.

After much discussion with my son and his doctor, I decided to let him take Finasteride Propecia in early June 2021 (he was 17 and half then).

Primarily because the hairline got worse.

I have attached pictures taken in January, August (6 weeks after Finasteride) and from yesterday.

He originally started finasteride on a 1mg 3x week dosage, after watching the youtube channel "Hairloss Show".

I am not sure if it has stabilised or not and he has not suffered any side effects, but I am worried he might be an outlier, thus he plans on taking it daily from now on, as he turns 18 next week.

He has also enquired about adding Minoxidil (not sure he will keep up the routine) or Dutasteride (reluctant as its stronger with more side effects).

All opinions are welcome and sincerely appreciated.

 

[smokeybacon]

Our bodies change around this age so it is probably what is going on with your son. He is using fin, cannot hurt to add minox to his regime and judge if there is any marked change in hair growth. What hair loss pattern are you now then? as you said it started in your childhood, did your continue to lose a lot? It may help get a guide on your son. But he is very young so stick with the meds.

 

[suki]

Our bodies change around this age so it is probably what is going on with your son. He is using fin, cannot hurt to add minox to his regime and judge if there is any marked change in hair growth. What hair loss pattern are you now then? as you said it started in your childhood, did your continue to lose a lot? It may help get a guide on your son. But he is very young so stick with the meds.

Hi Mate,

I was losing my hair around the same time and was a norwood 4/5 in my early twenties.

Only reasons I have held out on giving him Minox, is (1) You never hear of long term users of it (2) Will he keep using it.

Not sure going from 3x to daily on fin is sensible or not, but he did only use it 3x a week for six months.

Noticed in the far east Dutasteride is available as a hair loss pill, and some posters have suggested it once a week in addition to fin.

Anyway I have posted the pics above with timestamps (adding the August ones as there seems to be a limitation to attachments showing)- and let me know what you and others think.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Suki. Your sons hair loss looks minimal right now. I think being on Finasteride is enough for now. Increasing it to 1mg daily is what most people will do. I would just keep an eye on it to see if it progresses. If you do notice more thinning, you could research oral minoxidil to add to his regimen.‘
Hopefully, his hair loss will stabilise. Not everyone follow their parents hair loss pattern.
Good luck with it.

 

[suki]

Hi Suki. Your sons hair loss looks minimal right now. I think being on Finasteride is enough for now. Increasing it to 1mg daily is what most people will do. I would just keep an eye on it to see if it progresses. If you do notice more thinning, you could research oral minoxidil to add to his regimen.‘
Hopefully, his hair loss will stabilise. Not everyone follow their parents hair loss pattern.
Good luck with it.

Thanks Bigmac ....much appreciated