What are my options?

[akawonderkid]

27 year old
UK based
Father was norwood 6 at young age
Mothers father the same.

I started noticing this at a young age but only really started to notice it properly about 2 years ago
Been on foam minoxidil 5mil twice daily for 8 months or so
Been on fina for around 7 months...

I've contacted a few docs in UK and europe/Turkey
Dr arshad said I can go in within the next 2 weeks ajd have the transplant so thats a no go for me... hes just after money
Dr bisanga said I need to go over belgium so he can see miniaturisation properly.
Dr freitas said wait a few years

I also have seborrheic eczema on back of scalp. You cant see it in these photos as my hair was quite long at the back but I've got a no3 and you can see it a lot now. Started to use dermax for this daily.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Akawonderkid.

Losing your hair at a young age is stressful and hard for the person who has to deal with it. If I’m right, your hair loss has accelerated the last 2 years when you were 25. Your pattern is diffused thinning and roughly Norwood 5 area. You’re already on the meds which I’d say you need to evaluate at 12 months to see if they’re helping. Some before pictures if you have them would help to compare. Adding or switching meds at this stage could cause more shedding, this may recover quickly with the new meds making a quicker impact. It sounds like you have the seborrheic eczema under control. I have found Pura D Or Gold shampoo an excellent choice that helps my scalp.
Having an in person consultation is always the best option, but not always practical. Sometimes you may just have to wait if you have a preferred doctor who insists on this. The obvious benefits are having your scalp and suitability assessed which may lead to a recommendation of treatments for a specific timeframe.

I’m sure you can find many clinics who will offer surgery right now. This would be down to you, your choice and knowing the possible risks involved. The obvious risk is you continue losing hair meaning any gains made by the transplant could be lost if the loss continues. On the other hand, the meds may have stabilised your loss and having a forward thinking hair transplant plan might work out well.

Personally, I would give the meds more time, use the extra time to research and if possible, you could see a dermatologist to have your scalp checked. There’s also hair fibres as a temporary solution to hide the thinning.

 

[akawonderkid]

Hi Akawonderkid.

Losing your hair at a young age is stressful and hard for the person who has to deal with it. If I’m right, your hair loss has accelerated the last 2 years when you were 25. Your pattern is diffused thinning and roughly Norwood 5 area. You’re already on the meds which I’d say you need to evaluate at 12 months to see if they’re helping. Some before pictures if you have them would help to compare. Adding or switching meds at this stage could cause more shedding, this may recover quickly with the new meds making a quicker impact. It sounds like you have the seborrheic eczema under control. I have found Pura D Or Gold shampoo an excellent choice that helps my scalp.
Having an in person consultation is always the best option, but not always practical. Sometimes you may just have to wait if you have a preferred doctor who insists on this. The obvious benefits are having your scalp and suitability assessed which may lead to a recommendation of treatments for a specific timeframe.

I’m sure you can find many clinics who will offer surgery right now. This would be down to you, your choice and knowing the possible risks involved. The obvious risk is you continue losing hair meaning any gains made by the transplant could be lost if the loss continues. On the other hand, the meds may have stabilised your loss and having a forward thinking hair transplant plan might work out well.

Personally, I would give the meds more time, use the extra time to research and if possible, you could see a dermatologist to have your scalp checked. There’s also hair fibres as a temporary solution to hide the thinning.

Hi

I'm going to book a dermatologist defo. I haven't sorted the scalp eczema yet but going to wash daily and see what happens. I did think if I swap then I might shed so I might just stop minoxidil for a bit and see what happens with scalp.

I actually don't have photos from months ago I don't think which is stupid.

Its just frustrating the way top docs have said they can get me in ASAP. These top docs should know better and should tell me about the risks

 

[Bigmac]

Oh I see regarding the eczema. Look into the Pura range of shampoo. They have quite a few. My scalp has always had dandruff issues and this cleared it up. It’s an all natural product shampoo. Hopefully, you see results with the dermax.
I had a bad reaction to the alcohol content in Minoxidil, I had to stop using it. I only take 1mg Finasteride daily.
It`s a shame you don`t have pictures from before but at least you have some now to monitor.
I can’t comment on the reasons why some clinics would say they can get you in asap. There will be many people who’ve just pulled the trigger and went for it. They may be ok, get a decent result and age appropriately but there’ll be a lot who regret just going for it in years to come. This is the benefit of using the forum to provide impartial information and opinions.

I like to point people to Parasols initial thread on here that shows what can happen when you continue losing hair after a hair transplant. Fortunately, Parasol had enough donor left to rectify the situation.
Progressive hair loss after a hair transplant

 

[Philw]

Hi mate yeah need hairloss and scalp under control before u even think about a transplant
I still think propecia 1mg brand name go on that mon wed fri but thats just my opinion
Yeah u will shed and it probs look worse before it gets better mate
Deffo get a 2nd opinion on the scalp issue u have
Hold off on the transplant for 2 yrs
The meds and scalp fixing could make ur hair look better withoit and surgery
Hang in there ok

 

[Marvel28]

Hey mate,

Do you have any before and after pictures? This could help with identifying the improvement finasteride has made to your hair.

Hang in there. I’m 28, have had 2 hair transplants and have been on finasteride for 6 years. Started losing my hair around 18, but the meds have completed halted it for me which I’m so grateful for.

 

[smokeybacon]

You can see a potential pattern of hair loss from the top. Maybe not helped by having dark hair and pale skin. But if your hair loss continued like your father you need to plan well before you start a hair transplant. With your scalp suffering from seborrheic eczema I would have thought depending how bad that would hinder a hair transplant anyway. So holding off and keeping on the meds seemed to be a good idea. Your hair isn´t too bad now, I bet when styled it looks a decent density.

 

[Coopman]

Hey Aka

Your getting some sound advice here.

Your probably still 12 months away from getting your optimum results from Finasteride usage, so hopefully you still have some improvement there.

My hair was like yours approx 20 years ago. I’m 44 now and its almost the same now but with a slightly thinner crown and that’s because of Finasteride. It really can halt hair loss and my family has many male NW6-7 at 30 years of age.

You could change the appearance of your hair with a more stylish cut. Get a fade to the back and sides. The shorter it is to the back and sides the better it looks on top. I think Bigmac suggested hair concealer in a different thread and just a small spray of concealer at the front could give you a mini quiff and make it look quite trendy.The other option is to brush your hair up from the lateral humps (see photo). Good suggestion of hair concealor in black are toppik or mane.

As Smokeybacon says your hair isn’t too bad. You also still have your temporal points, there is a lot to be positive about.

Good luck and stay positive.

 

[Coopman]

Poor photo but this is what I mean by pushing hair up from the lateral humps.

 

[akawonderkid]

honestly I cannot thank you all enough.
Really though.

Due to this I have tried to do stupid things as I hated myself but being on this forum and being on another forum (you all probably know which one but i dont want to name just incase) you have all made me 'believe'

if any of you see this thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm on way home from work so cannot write to you all individually but i will do when home.

 

[Bigmac]

We are here to support each other. I think the general opinion from everyone is give meds a chance. See if further improvement occurs. You have enough hair left, so keeping it is important. As Coopman and Smokey have said, you could have it cut and styled that will help it look less thin. Then a sprinkle of concealer and you have a new look. I used concealers for years on my crown. They were great and provided me with a big confidence boost.