Day 23 vs. Day 50

Note: I apologize for using "Cowlick" instead of "Calic" if you disagree on the spelling. From all my 10 seconds of Google searching "Cowlick" seems to be the appropriate spelling.

Day 23

Day 50

Don't let the light fool you with this one. My hair is noticeably more hearty up front. The hair no longer feels fragile, and wispy. I feel confident saying that I am continuing to see results on the front. You may be able to tell, I apologize for the angle difference, that the right side (left of this picture) of my hairline is moving forward. It is thin, light hair now, but I know from my past experience with Rogaine that it will start to thicken.

Day 23

Day 50

You can see the the right side of my cowlick (left side of this picture) is thickening up. Slightly, and slowly, but surely. Notice the left side of the cowlick on day 23, you can see scalp through the hair. However, on day 50 more hair is there to provide cover.

Day 50

Day 50: I have been continuing the use of both Finasteride and Minoxidil foam. No changes in dosage.

Observations: Hair has is thicker, and much harder to part as a result. These pictures aren't doing true justice to the results, as I am seeing a huge difference in how I style my hair. I no longer NEED something in my hair to thicken it up in order to get my scalp covered. I have also noticed lighter hairs coming in at the hairline, which is moving forward slowly.

Point In Case: I still see positive results from the medication and Rogaine application. I would  strongly recommend using Rogaine in conjunction with Finasteride. 

Side Effects: Still no side-effects to mention. Looks like I'm not part of the 1% who experience problems with the drug.

Day 34

Day 34: I have been continuing the use of both Finesteride and Minoxidil foam. I changed the Finasteride dosage from 1/4 pill everyday to 1/2 pill every other day. My doctor told me I could do so without it affecting the medication, and I just find it much simpler than taking it every day. I still use Rogaine twice per day.

Observations: My hair is coming in much thicker at the crown of my head. I haven't noticed too much going on at the hairline, but overall my hair is thicker and feels softer.

Point In Case: Seeing more positive results in regards to hair thickness at the crown. Still seeing normal amounts of hair being lost throughout the day.

Side Effects: No side-effects to mention.

Notes: Hairline may be coming forward some. I can't really tell since it's so slow to happen. I'm using the freckle just in front of my hairline as a crude measuring tool.

No Strings

I wanted to take just a minute to assure anyone reading this that my study of the results of this product are completely independent. I am in no way affiliated with any company, doctor, or advocate of Proscar, Propecia, or any other pharmaceutical corporation. I am here to track the results of this product in a candid, and accurate way so that other men who are going through my same struggle can have a reference and real proof that these products either A) Work, or B) Do NOT work.

I am not here to yank anyones chain. I do not have Photoshop, and I do not edit my images in any way. This is a personal endeavor to accurately track my results with Finasteride, and minoxidil.

Thank you to everyone who is following this.

Day 23

Day 23: I have been continuing the use of both Finesteride and Minoxidil foam.

Observations: It seems that my hair has been holding steady. Normal loss rate, not higher than normal. That does not necessarily mean I am growing hair back, but I am definitely seeing less loss on my pillow, and less loss when I wash my hair. Given that the doctor advised me I may not see growth results for months I feel confident in saying that my hair loss is coming to a halt.

Point In Case: Seeing some positive changes with how much hair I am losing. It now seems to be falling out at a typical rate, 80-100 hairs/day.

Side Effects: No side-effects to mention.

Notes: I may not be getting growth results yet, but I feel much more confident in my hair.

Introduction

I'm thoroughly embarrassed that I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jonathan. I'm 22 and I was born and raised in Southern California.

I am writing this blog to document my use of the hair loss product Finesteride in combination with Minoxidil, which is just a fancy name for Rogaine.

I started losing my hair at 19 years old. I was in denial for some time saying things like, "It's just alopecia and stress causing temporary hair loss." Well after two and half years I'm going to say firmly that this is male pattern baldness setting in, and I want nothing to do with losing my hair. My hair doesn't define me. My hair doesn't matter to anyone else. I may get joked around with from time to time for losing my hair, but the reality is that those people aren't going to think differently of me for not having hair. However, I will think differently of me. I love having hair. I love being able to run my fingers through it. I love growing my hair out then cutting it short. I love having hair. I started doing a lot of research. Everything out there is a bunch of bupkis unless the doctor gives it to you. Rogaine is great, but it doesn't work especially well on the hairline, which is the area I was most concerned with. So I went to the doctor, any doctor in any clinic will do if you want a prescription. It cost me $80 for the 10 min visit, $13 for a 3 month supply of Finesteride, and $4 for a pill splitter on Amazon.

If you are afraid of the side effects of this drug let me be the first to tell you that it is unlikely you will see them. Read this study to find out about the research on Propecia (which is identical to Proscar FYI). When researchers compared the group who had received the actual Finesteride to the control group who received a placebo they found an almost unnoticeable difference in the number of people who saw side effects(1.8% v. 1.5 respectively, to be specific).

I am noticing results even this early in the treatment, which in my opinion is a good sign. I will keep anyone following this updated as often as possible though with results, side effects, and any notes I may have.

Day 16

Day 16: I have been contuing the use of both Finesteride and Minoxidil foam.

Observations: I am noticing much less shedding. I have also noticed thicker hair on the crown and hairline. Not necessarily more hair, but it is definitely thicker and it covers my scalp better. I am very satisfied that I am seeing changes so quickly.

Point In Case: Seeing some positive changes. I will continue to watch closely to see if they are candid results or just my imagination.

Side Effects: No side-effects to mention.

Notes: Sorry for the lighting change from last post to this one. This is a much more accurate lighting.

Day 10 of Finesteride

Day 10: I have been using Finesteride and Minoxidil (Rogaine foam). I will be using this as my control photo documentation as I have yet to see any changes.

Observations: After about day 5 I noticed that I was shedding more hair in the morning and night. However, this has not impacted the thickness of my hair. I have noticed that more short hairs are falling out. This could be my follicles shifting from telogen to anogen phase.

PIC: No negative or positive results to mention.

Side Effects: No side-effects to mention.

Notes: Pictures look bad I know. I will be getting a new program with which to take the photos for next time.