Well, my situation is this...
I'm 21 now, I used to have great hair but over the last 3 or so years I've been losing a ridiculous amount in the shower, and even by simply brushing my hand through my hair. It seems like it's constantly shedding! Jeez
I feel that if I hadn't had decent hair to begin with, I'd be left with nothing right now

In the last 6-12 months it's become increasingly noticeable, so I finally decided enough was enough, time to try finasteride or lose it all!
I recently got a pack of 84 pills (after much trouble trying to get the stuff), but I've been too scared to start on it because of the dreaded shedding phase I've read so much about... Help!

The issue is this: In around 2 weeks i will be going traveling for a month or two, and I have a girlfriend (as well as several family members) to meet, so the last thing i want is for my hair to suddenly get so thin than even Toppik/Dermmatch and dodgy hairstyles won't cover the thin areas! I feel if i lose any more it will become impossible for me to cover it without people really noticing it. And that's the big fear, I really don't want it to be obvious, as i'm sure you all understand, it knocks your confidence greatly as a young guy, especially if you're about to meet a girl who you really like...

I understand side effects, results and shedding is dependent upon the individual, but I really want to know if the shedding is going to make it THAT much worse before it will (hopefully!) improve a bit, or at least stop the hair loss...

So do you think I should start on it now or wait until I get back home in around 2 months time? Right now i'm really confused as to what to do. Part of me is saying it's way too risky to start on it when I'm going away for such a long duration, but at the same time I'm totally freaking out because I've noticed how much worse my hair is getting anyway

What would you guys do? Can my hair really get that much worse in 2 months? My hair loss does seem pretty damn aggressive. But also, how bad can the shedding be? Is there much difference from the point before you start on fin, to the point where the shedding stops? Will my hair get a lot worse before it can improve?

The sooner you start, the better. Your hair is going to shed either way. I don't think the initial shed is likely to be THAT bad.

IMO shedding on fin is something of a myth. The only thing you can expect it to do immediately is put a halt to your hair loss. You then have a very good chance for regrowth as well. Don't expect the regrowth overnight though- Between 6-12 months.

The sooner you get on fin the better your chances to maintain what you have and grow back some or all what you lost.

Don't worry about a "shed".

I did shed in the first month of fin, but I can't say how much of that was going to fall out on its own. Anything that sheds on fin was going to shed fairly soon anyway, and for the next couple of months I didn't shed at all.

And to clarify, I'm the same age as you and in a very similar position. I really wish I'd known about all this sooner so I could have gotten in earlier, though.

I shed in the first month too, but it didn't make my hair look visibly worse.

Don't wait another 2 months.

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24/M
Piroctone Olamine 0.75%

Thanks for the replies guys
I finally bucked up the courage and started on it today
One more question.. is there any particular time of the day/night that's the best time to take it? Or does it not make any difference?

Doesn't make a difference. Just try to be consistent as to the time you take it. So, pick a time that is most convenient for you wherein you are not likely to forget. Not the end of the world if you forget every once in awhile and take it later in the day or whatever. However, just try to be consistent as much as possible to maximize results.

Wait - What? People shed even more when they first start fin? Does that hair come back, though?

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Finasteride, 1.2mg, daily
Ketoconazole shampoo, 2%, once a week

HI ,

Talking about FIN I have used this for a month but i have noticed some side effects so i stopped it for a week. I feel like i am better right now. Currently just taking biotin.

Any suggestions

Best advice possible. Both of it.