Hey everyone,
I’ve been dealing with hair loss (MPB) for about 2.5 years now, and I honestly don’t know what to do at this point. I am about to turn 19, and my hairline is already close to Norwood 3. I feel like if I wait too long, it’s only going to get worse, but I also don’t want to make a bad decision that I’ll regret.
My Biggest Concerns:
Should I start Minoxidil now and stay on it forever? I’m scared of the commitment. If I stop later, will my hair loss return aggressively, leaving me worse off than before?
Should I wait until I’m 21-22 and start Finasteride + Minoxidil together? I can’t get Finasteride in my country right now, so I don’t have that option at the moment.
What happens if I go through Minoxidil’s shedding phase and it doesn’t make my hair fuller?
How long after stopping Minoxidil does hair loss return?
My Current Treatment & Shedding History:
I’ve been using 2% Ketoconazole shampoo since February 2024. I’d guess it made my regular shedding slightly less noticeable. Back in late 2022 when I first started losing hair, I’d see 70-80 hairs on the basin. Now, after using Ketoconazole, I typically see 40-50 hairs.
Options I’m Considering:
Start Minoxidil now (without Finasteride).
Might slow down further loss and help regrow some hair.
But I have to commit to it for life, or I’ll lose everything gained.
Won’t stop MPB completely since DHT is still attacking my follicles.
Or wait until 21-22 for Finasteride + Minoxidil combo
Avoids Minoxidil commitment for now.
But I could lose too much hair before then, making recovery harder.
Once follicles die, they don’t come back—even with treatment later.
General Hair Loss Pattern:
My hairline is receding, but I’ve noticed it’s progressing a bit unevenly.
Some areas seem to be thinning faster than others, which makes it hard to predict how things will go.
I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through this or from those who have more knowledge on MPB. I don’t want to make the wrong decision, but I also feel like I need to do something before it’s too late. Should I take the plunge with Minoxidil now, or should I try to hold off and focus on other treatments?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
Hair loss has been eating away at me ever since I discovered I had this. Led all my life with shiny fluffy curly hair but now it’s all going to hell. Please help me.