Extreme thinning on ONE side of head

[Spartan300]

Hello,

I been on propecia for over 8 months. I started taking propecia bc of frontal hair loss/thinning.

Though at first it seemed like propecia was reducing the hair loss, no re-growth though. But now it
seems like it isnt doing much and I am experiencing extreme thinning and hair loss on one side
of my head...

What are my options..i am feeling very depressed, i feel like one side of my head will be completely bald soon
enough...please look at the attached picture.

Thank you

[Spartan300]

For some reason the attachment tool is cuttin off the pic..

but i can email you the pic to help you understand better.

Thanks all

[HairLossFight.com]

Hi Spartan300 and welcome!

The picture is not actually being cut, it's just being placed in a window with scroll bars, so it's viewable.

I can see what you're describing from your pic. It's actually fairly common for one side to thin a bit more, or sooner than the other side does. That is, assymetrical thinning is not uncommon from what I have seen and been told by Dr. Wong from Hasson and Wong.

In your case it does look a bit more so than normal, but I wouldn't panic. You've been using Propecia for 8 months so don't stop or things may get worse a lot faster.

There are various topicals that may help, and lot of people have varying degrees of success with them. You may want to consider using a good topical. Browse these forums and ask questions about the topicals and you'll find a lot of information that should help.

In my own case, I have halted topicals completely. From a maintenance perspective I am using Propecia, like yourself, but also I use a laser device. I'm using the hairmax lasercomb, which has done a great job for me in maintaining my hair and giving my scalp a healthier feeling (for lack of a better word to describe it).

I am planning on building a laser helmet soon because low level laser therapy has been shown to be quite safe. The reason for this is that I find it a pain in the ass to have to use the lasercomb I currently have, and also because I don't think I'm getting the optimal exposure to the laser.

I HIGHLY recommend you read up on laser therapy for hair loss. Don't buy anything though until you've spoken with people like OverMachoGrande (a member of this forum) who can guide you well in this regard.


I have a few questions for you that will help me understand your situation a bit better:

(1) Do you feel any pain or tenderness in your scalp (either in thinning or not thinning areas)?
(2) Has your thinning been very rapid, or did it occur over several years? In other words, how long have you been losing your hair?
(3) Do you see any hair loss in patches? Do you have any slick bald spots?
(4) In general, what would you say your level of stress is (low, somewhat low, normal, somewhat high, high, or very high)?

Thanks,
Sam

[Spartan300]

Hey Sam

Thanks for response...I started thinning at 24 and it has been slow process i guess..I'm 26 now
and this is the worst ive seen it...

No bald spots or patches I can see...not much stress...

All the derms say try rogaine if propecia is not working...
But no clear answer to why just one side more thin than the other...


Should I see a hair transplant surgeon for advice...they charge $200 for consultation! is it worth
it or will they tell me the same thing...

Plus hair transplant is not an option too expensive for me...

[HairLossFight.com]

Hey Spartan300,

Without much to go on but what you've told me, it sounds like you most likely have regular male pattern baldness. It's not uncommon to see an asymmetrical pattern of hair loss. I actually had a similar situation as you, but not as pronounced.

Anyway, I would suggest the following:

(1) Block the DHT: Either via an internal like Propecia, a topical like Revivogen, or both
(2) Build yourself a laser helmet!!!! I'm serious. I haven't done this yet because I actually went out and bought the way less potent hairmax lasercomb (which I believe has helped me more than anything else to be honest).
(3) Stimulate growth: Minoxidil (but don't go overboard with it!) - Over the years I have found that less can be more when it comes to topicals insofar as the *amount* that you apply, because at least in my own case, sensitivity to the delivery vehicle can develop and lead to an unhealthy scalp.

And last but not least, if it bothers you enough, get a hair transplant. But don't rush into it!! Research, research and then research some more!!! Become familiar with all the different techniques available and with who the best doctors are. Do NOT go to a hair transplant mill operation. I don't want to name names but if you research enough you'll know who they are. I highly recommend Hasson and Wong. They are the ones that I went to and they have done an amazing job. I have my 21 year old hair line back and I'm 34. BTW, anyone who charges for a consultation is a waste of your time and money. The best don't do that.

If you're considering an HT, don't go for it right away, take about a year or so at least to research and see if it's for you. If money is an issue start saving. You can get a decent HT in the ballpark of about 10-12K depending on the number of grafts you will need (I'm giving you a number based on about 2000 to 3000 grafts for the first go round).

Regards,
Sam