I'm new to this as I have just noted some thinning effects and would like to nip it in the bud before things progress. I have been reading up on all this and the only serious options it seems are finasteride -minoxidil - nizoralle. I'm concerned about this shedding effect that seemingly a lot of people have. Whilst I've read about the telogen - anagen scenario I don't want to be putting something on my hair that is seemingly adding insult to injury and see more hair come out.
I have ordered some finasteride as I think I can come to terms if I lose more but over a sustained period of time and not months as seems to be the case for some that take what are purported to be 'treatments' (and hopefully they are)

I have read some stories where people have apparently taken it, had shedding, and then a few months later have regrowth, the quality of which is a little unclear.

Can anyone explain their experiences of this or happens to know someone that expereinced this?

It seems that most of it happens with Minoxidil but a number of people report to be having good results with this drug.

I think people need to be on the lookout for guerilla marketers (GM's) as well, as having recently completed a masters in Marketing I know all about the tricks that companies do in these chat room/forums. Plant a stooge and stoke the fires of insecurity. If you are there reading these you have to be a true scum bag to encourage people to buy products that worsen a condition which to the person experiencing it already feels like a fairly substantial hoof in the balls. I'm sure you will be repaid for your disservice to humanity in one way or another, probably in the form of a dud viagra Mr Johhny no horn. If there are some GM's on these boards its practically impossible to find out one way or another.

If there are no GM's and the products are well intentioned with some people experiencing bad effects in the way of shedding with something you are taking in the hope that it will stop it and your hair sheds - dam that would be scary and I sympathise.

Can anyone out there offer some advice on this please as it seems to be a true nightmare potentially waiting to happen?

I started Propecia in 2/05 and saw some shedding in my crown area that before was solid.My hair loss was frontal core and hairline.After about 6 weeks the shed seemed to stop.It's only been about 4 months now total(2 since shed)so tough to tell if any regrowth has occured(maybe some fine hairs).I'm hoping I will get some.I had big-time thick hair in the crown so even with the shed I still have coverage but I wasn't thrilled to say the least.
I am sticking with the Propecia(to stabalize)what I have.I also look at the shed by that I was eventually going to loose some of that hair w/o Propecia anyway.
I don't want to do Minox.(not into the oily)deal whatsoever.Haven't even used it in the new graft area which some do to speed things up.
I had 2200grafts done on the frontal core 4/19/05 and saw an additional "slight" shock loss in the crown & mid-region.Didn't last long and I'm hoping to get some regrowth with my new routine also as time goes by from the surgery.Still numb in the mid-region where some of the shock loss occured.

I am going to start Niz 2% and hope this can help also.Lots of guys seem to put it into their routine.
I was shocked to seen the cost of this stuff.
I had to get the perscription and it is anywhere for $40-50!! depending on what pharmacy you go to.

Robert is that what you are paying?The generic version is only $10...I'm wondering if that would be just as good?It is still 2% Keto but I did buy the Niz this time. Thanks,Greg

My understanding is that Minoxodil does more than speed growth after a transplant. I believe that it keeps those precious grafts from going into a permanent sleep and thus improving the yield. I think Minoxodil, as antagonising as it can be is an important post-op best practice. I've heard that some doctors are recommending it as early as 3 days post op.

Please correct me if I have mistated!

sjb36,

First of all, welcome to the forums.

Next, I would like to assure you that, as moderator of this forum I am absolutely diligent in doing what I can to keep commercial and detrimental posters at bay.

As far as hair loss treatments and shedding; it happens. Some, more than others, but most people do experience a slight amount of shedding. This is actually a good sign because it means that you are a responder to the medication.

I sometimes wonder about the persons that repeatedly post "freaking out" posts on hair loss forums regarding mass amounts of shedding. I have been on Finasteride (now Dutasteride), Minoxidil, and Nizoral 2% for a good while and have only experienced one small (1 month or less) period of time where it looked as if I was actually having any kind of loss. It was quick, painless, and cause to a greater good. The hairs that do shed were destined to fall out anyway, the Finasteride or Minoxidil only hastens the process a bit.

Other posters actually wind themselves up by EXPECTING the worst because they have heard these horrible accounts on hair loss forums. This is actually extremely counter-productive because the first sign of any "shed" they abandon the medication - the worst thing you can do. Medicine-hopping is very detrimental as it takes time for them to "kick in."

If you are going to take finasteride, take it for at least a year before making an assessment. I say the same for Minoxidil and Nizoral. Start them all at once, take them for a year, and if possible, take before pictures and pictures every three months or so in similar lighting at similar angles. This will give you an objective, true gauge of how you are actually progressing.

-Robert

Hi Jacob,
I went by what Dr.Shapiro told me,also what he gives you in his post opt.instructions.
Said it was a choice only and that some studies have showed it "may" improve or speed up the growth of the grafts.
Said if choose to do so use 2% twice a day or 5% once day and disregard box instructions.To start it 2weeks after surgery and continue for 2 months.
Nothing at all about the grafts staying dormant.
Now since I already had hair in the region where the grafts were transplanted I decided not to do it.I did not want that existing hair becoming dependant on the Minox and lose them sooner since I knew I wasn't going to keep up with the Minox after 2 months.
My other thinking was I believe my blood supply on the scalp was great just by what I saw during the surgery.Also this is the front core and hairline.Which I believe the blood supply is even greater.I believe this is very important regarding the grafts.
Now if it was on the crown I might have gone the Minox route.
This was MY choice and I could be right or could be wrong but the decision I made.
In regards to the Fin this was my experience with the shed.It was nothing drastic(and I am not trying to scare anybody)but it DOES exist and newbies should be made aware.Maybe I was kidding myself but I wasn't really expecting the shed.And like I said I am sticking with it because you need to wait out the year to see the whole picture.Also not to get so down on the shed because that hair was going to be lost anyway down the line.Fin is the only real proven weapon we have right now to slow down the loss that is both simple to use and w/o "drastic" side affects.(this is my belief)
There is also the libido factor however with Fin but everyone has to make there own choices and decisions.Hopefully if we all give our own experiences it will help us make the best ones possible. peace,Greg