Hey everyone,

I've just had a read of a few threads and user stories on the site. It's a fantastic forum you've got going here. Big thanks to the people who put this together (Falc?? I'm still trying to get the hang of names here).

I thought I'd do the honourable thing, and quite lurking to begin posting. So a bit of an introduction:

I'm 22, soon to be 23. I'm about a NW3. I don't get too many people shouting "baldy" at me yet, but I can't strategically place my haircut to conceal the loss either.

I'm not looking at a HT in the immediate future. I'm too young, too unsure of where this hairloss will lead, and (most crucially) don't have enough money.

I'm really on here because I've resolved to get a HT of some kind eventually. I've tried the bald look, and I can't really rock it. I'd be comfortable with it for a while, but I wouldn't want it for my whole life.

So I'm looking at getting a HT when I'm 26/27, and I'm being proactive and trying to start the research now. I see this as a long process, and one I can't afford to cock up.

My only question right now is: is it possible to get a HT without jumping on finasteride immediately afterwards? I've tried propecia twice, once on 1mg, and once on a lower dose (0.5mg, then moving down to 0.25mg). However much I try, it seems to mess me up. I've got nothing against the drug, it's just that the drug seems to have something against me.

I should point out that, as bad as early hairloss is, it's had two bright sides for me. For one, it's made me focus more on other areas of my life - personality, fitness, etc - as a way to compensate for those thinning locks. Perhaps more seriously, though, it's the main thing that's driven me to try and seek a high-paid career. I got so pissed off at university being barely able to afford treatments and seeing the prospect of never being able to afford a HT that I started working pretty hard. I got some pretty good grades and much better extra-curriculars as a result. I probably wouldn't have been that driven without the hairloss.

So it's not all bad. Although most of it is.

Peace,
Boondock

Hi,

You sound like a very level headed dude.

It's great you have found the forums as they will really help you get a good all round opinion from many who have been and who are in very similar situations. You are 100% right not to rush into any HT surgery as being so young you need to really research this through and make sure it's potentially the right thing for you. It's unfortunate that you have probs with the meds as meds can really help HT patients create a platform to work to. You will potentially continue to lose more hair though without them so be patient and just make sure HT's are right for you if/when as it's the LONG term you need to consider. Spend time reading through HT experiences and get a good all round insight into the journey it can involve. Good for you making other areas of your life more positive.

Best Regards
Spex