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Hey everyone. 26M.
So I've been seeing a lot of hair shedding for the past 9 months. Around 20 strands and upwards of 100 strands when washing with shampoo and conditioner. While 1-4 strands come out every time I roll my hand through my hair, I've found my hair as a whole becoming thinner, the strands more hay-like and impossible to style. I just assumed it was some shedding from work and relationship stress last Autumn but it has continued for so long and with the number of hairs I lose in the shower, it's hard not to be concerned.
In the past two weeks, I've tried to be as proactive as possible. I've been taking/doing:
I've started seeing more of the scalp, especially when out of the shower and the hairs wet and it scares the sh*t out of me. Despite previous posts, I've only just started to see my crown area looking thin as well. Last week I had an online consultation with a hair clinic in London (Belgravia Hair Clinic) and they said it was very early male pattern baldness (with my crown area and it's moving down my head) and they suggested treatment using a number of their products (see below). Little dubious given their vested interest but then again I've got the most vested interest to be in denial and pretend everything's ok.
Assuming it is indeed thinning and I ought to take action - I'm really mixed, scared and confused as to what to do next. I think I will give it another couple of weeks and see if the supplements aid the vitamin D deficiency per my blood test and in turn my hair. In fairness, the number of strands from the shower and my hands has dropped markedly in the past 2 weeks alone (before hairs came out in 10-20 strands when running my hands through, now 2-5).
Failing this, however, I want to be as proactive with this as possible before I start losing more. Honestly, pretty scared of playing with my hormones and the potential sides with finasteride (especially sexual) but equally it seems to be the most effective while using topical min seems not to tackle the root cause while also being practically annoying for myself having to maintain this rather than popping a pill (aware of oral min but concerned with the impact on blood pressure). After noting my concerns of finasteride to the clinic, they have offered the (bloody expensive) treatment of a) Minoxidil 10% + Azelaic Acid & b) Minoxidil 5% + Medroxyprogesterone and staying away from finasteride. They said the additional elements to the min have DHT blocking capabilities so should serve fins purpose and I will not lose out by not using finasteride. Again, dubious of their claims vs using the normal finasteride route.
Ultimately, I'm curious:
So I've been seeing a lot of hair shedding for the past 9 months. Around 20 strands and upwards of 100 strands when washing with shampoo and conditioner. While 1-4 strands come out every time I roll my hand through my hair, I've found my hair as a whole becoming thinner, the strands more hay-like and impossible to style. I just assumed it was some shedding from work and relationship stress last Autumn but it has continued for so long and with the number of hairs I lose in the shower, it's hard not to be concerned.
In the past two weeks, I've tried to be as proactive as possible. I've been taking/doing:
- Biotin tablets (10k ug)
- Saw Palmetto
- OGX Biotin and Collagen thickening shampoo
- Dermaroller (1mm) + peppermint oil
I've started seeing more of the scalp, especially when out of the shower and the hairs wet and it scares the sh*t out of me. Despite previous posts, I've only just started to see my crown area looking thin as well. Last week I had an online consultation with a hair clinic in London (Belgravia Hair Clinic) and they said it was very early male pattern baldness (with my crown area and it's moving down my head) and they suggested treatment using a number of their products (see below). Little dubious given their vested interest but then again I've got the most vested interest to be in denial and pretend everything's ok.
Assuming it is indeed thinning and I ought to take action - I'm really mixed, scared and confused as to what to do next. I think I will give it another couple of weeks and see if the supplements aid the vitamin D deficiency per my blood test and in turn my hair. In fairness, the number of strands from the shower and my hands has dropped markedly in the past 2 weeks alone (before hairs came out in 10-20 strands when running my hands through, now 2-5).
Failing this, however, I want to be as proactive with this as possible before I start losing more. Honestly, pretty scared of playing with my hormones and the potential sides with finasteride (especially sexual) but equally it seems to be the most effective while using topical min seems not to tackle the root cause while also being practically annoying for myself having to maintain this rather than popping a pill (aware of oral min but concerned with the impact on blood pressure). After noting my concerns of finasteride to the clinic, they have offered the (bloody expensive) treatment of a) Minoxidil 10% + Azelaic Acid & b) Minoxidil 5% + Medroxyprogesterone and staying away from finasteride. They said the additional elements to the min have DHT blocking capabilities so should serve fins purpose and I will not lose out by not using finasteride. Again, dubious of their claims vs using the normal finasteride route.
Ultimately, I'm curious:
- How does the hair look? Is it indeed balding?
- Guidance as to action going forward. Will pause for the vitamin D defiency but assuming balding, would finasteride alone be sufficient? To limit sides, I plan to take 0.25g every other day and slowly move up (in a months time) to 1g 3 times a week. Any problems with this?
- Is it possible just to take finasteride? Rather test one item and keep one thing I need to take for the rest of my life rather than two at the same time.
- I'm really worried of the level of shedding from any treatment I take - I'm starting a new job next month so hoping any treatment doesn't make me look like a muppet. Is shedding with finasteride always expected?
