My Hair Loss Became Aggressive Quickly, Follow-Up

Doc,

I wrote in a few days ago about receding hairline: “My Hair Loss Became Aggressive Quickly.” I gaurantee I have what is “minimization.” I can see like at least an inch deep into my hair in the front but not on the sides. I am dirty blond like you asked, but I cannot imagine it is 90% gone. 50% maybe. Now I am on day 10 of Propecia. So according to the literature, from here, I have ~80 days before I see any “changes,” if I see any at all. From what I’ve read about Propecia, the more hair you have there, the better it works. So, say I go from 50% to 60% (for instance) by the time this stuff really starts being effective (the 80 days), are my chances of getting my full thickness back LESS than if i started a month ago? Two months ago? Could it be happening that quickly? I mean I started with propecia when it was 50%, right? Which number matters, the number now or the number later? Is propecia really working this whole time, but its just not “noticeable” for 3 months? Or should I assume things will continue to get worse (thinner) before they get better?

Thank you.

If you keep counting down the days for Propecia to take effect you’re going to lose your hair out from the shear stress. Remember, Propecia will take at least 8 months to see the benefits of it working. More importantly you may STILL lose your hair even on Propecia. Propecia may help by slowing the rate of your hair loss. I have no way to tell how fast or how much.

It seem you are very concerned and perhaps even obsessed with your hair loss. You may consider seeing a dermatologist or even a hair transplant doctor for your questions and concerns. Make sure that no one sells you a surgery without, in your case, waiting out the results of Propecia. Having a quantitative (not just your estimate) measurement of your hair by mapping your scalp for the degree of miniaturization may help you and your doctor in documenting the efficacy of your Propecia therapy.