Hair Thinning

I was suspended on the first day of term in high school because the deputy head took offence to my undercut. I could either sit at home until the hair grew back, or shave it all off - I chose the latter, and became the first kid in my school's history to look like a Nazi. Became a bit of a trend after that, with other kaaskoppe popping up. So I've been comfortable with a shaved head for a very long time.

Being a metalhead I always wanted long hair, so grew it out when I finished Matric. My locks were long, thick and glorious (constantly had women telling me how jealous they were of my "beautiful" hair)! But living in the Cape with the South Easter and long hair became annoying after a while (brushing the knots out was a pain in the arse), and one day I decided I needed a change, so I cut it short. A couple of months later, I started noticing thinning at the front. I was in my early 20's. I would grow it a bit and style it, then shave it on #1, then rinse, repeat for a few years, until eventually it had thinned so much that growing it no longer became an option. I've kept it on #1 ever since.

So, I'm in my late 30's now (FML I got old quickly - where'd the time go?!) - and I've gotten sick of having ONE hairstyle for the last decade. I want my hair back. I want options, damnit! I'd prefer to go really long again - like full viking as I have a beard, and live in Europe.

I've been trying a natural treatment the last couple of weeks: rubbing castor oil into my scalp. It has nutrients and vitamins that're good for keeping the scalp and the follicles healthy apparently. I'm not sure if that's what stimulates hair growth, or the gentle massage when I'm rubbing it in, but hopefully something starts growing. I also considered Regain, but it's about £40 for a box, and not sure if it's gimmicky. Everyone on this thread has mixed opinions, too. Perhaps a combination of things would do the trick?
 
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I was suspended on the first day of term in high school because the deputy head took offence to my undercut. I could either sit at home until the hair grew back, or shave it all off - I chose the latter, and became the first kid in my school's history to look like a Nazi. Became a bit of a trend after that, with other kaaskoppe popping up. So I've been comfortable with a shaved head for a very long time.

Being a metalhead I always wanted long hair, so grew it out when I finished Matric. My locks were long, thick and glorious (constantly had women telling me how jealous they were of my "beautiful" hair)! But living in the Cape with the South Easter and long hair became annoying after a while (brushing the knots out was a pain in the arse), and one day I decided I needed a change, so I cut it short. A couple of months later, I started noticing thinning at the front. I was in my early 20's. I would grow it a bit and style it, then shave it on #1, then rinse, repeat for a few years, until eventually it had thinned so much that growing it no longer became an option. I've kept it on #1 ever since.

So, I'm in my late 30's now (FML I got old quickly - where'd the time go?!) - and I've gotten sick of having ONE hairstyle for the last decade. I want my hair back. I want options, damnit! I'd prefer to go really long again - like full viking as I have a beard, and live in Europe.

I've been trying a natural treatment the last couple of weeks: rubbing castor oil into my scalp. It has nutrients and vitamins that're good for keeping the scalp and the follicles healthy apparently. I'm not sure if that's what stimulates hair growth, or the gentle massage when I'm rubbing it in, but hopefully something starts growing. I also considered Regain, but it's about £40 for a box, and not sure if it's gimmicky. Everyone on this thread has mixed opinions, too. Perhaps a combination of things would do the trick?

Get the 5% regaine, don't bother with the 2% crap. Not sure if it'll help consider how long you've been thinning for, but it's worth a shot. You might experience a bit more hairfall in the beginning but that'll soon be replaced by more growth. You'll pay around €80 for a 3 month supply from biovea with free shipping, not all that expensive.
 
Get the 5% regaine, don't bother with the 2% crap. Not sure if it'll help consider how long you've been thinning for, but it's worth a shot. You might experience a bit more hairfall in the beginning but that'll soon be replaced by more growth. You'll pay around €80 for a 3 month supply from biovea with free shipping, not all that expensive.
Cheers!

I've never experienced it falling out. Then again, it's always been shaved, so probably would never have noticed anyway. It just seems to have grown a lot less than the rest if that makes sense, and it's easier to see my scalp.
 
Minoxidil (in products like Regaine) is the way forward. Applied twice daily that becomes part of your regular routine like brushing teeth or shaving, will stop any receeding and will actually help things thicken up on top as well as speed up growth.

The side effect is you become hairier overall, but this really isn't a problem if you're a guy.

Have seen it work first hand for men and women, and will take this route when I start balding (already got the grey).



Egg-shaped head crew checking in. It's not as bad as you think, have shaved my head a few times and the awkward "is that really what my head looks like" vibe disappears after a day or two.

Indeed. I love shaved heads. They either look brutal or adorable. Either way, mucho yummy
 
Get the 5% regaine, don't bother with the 2% crap. Not sure if it'll help consider how long you've been thinning for, but it's worth a shot. You might experience a bit more hairfall in the beginning but that'll soon be replaced by more growth. You'll pay around €80 for a 3 month supply from biovea with free shipping, not all that expensive.
I think you need a prescription now for anything with 5% minoxidil. Pretty annoying for something you have to use for life. All the more reason to just say fsck it and go chiskop...
 
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OTC. Day 1. Let's see how this goes!
 
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I think you need a prescription now for anything with 5% minoxidil. Pretty annoying for something you have to use for life. All the more reason to just say fsck it and go chiskop...

You can get 5% and 7.5% with a prescription from Dr Alexander's hair clinic (my word but that site is ****). Single consultation with the doc and you can basically order as you need from then on.

Otherwise you can order online and have it delivered here, no prescription needed.

Where does one buy regaine?

Give Biovea a go, looks to be international with a tailored site for specific countries (including SA).

*snip*

OTC. Day 1. Let's see how this goes!

Good luck, please keep us updated with your progress. :)
 
Nioxin shampoo is available locally - my wife stocks it in her salon, it's a Wella product, also contains minoxidil.

If you are in the Pretoria area and are interested in supporting local business to combat your bald spots, send me a message.
 
Anyone used Finpecia over Propecia? Trying to decide if the generic version will suffice over the original US version, which has an inflated price.
 
Anyone used Finpecia over Propecia? Trying to decide if the generic version will suffice over the original US version, which has an inflated price.

I don't believe there's any difference. I think it's just a standard generic, so you're paying for the brand with Propecia.
 
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