Shedding. What Is Normal? What To Evaluate? What Could Be Positive?

[bluecyclone]

NW1 with diffuse crown and vertex. I’m afraid of Finasteride on Oral Minoxidil for 1 year and RU for 3 months.

I am constantly shedding hair with lengths from 8 inches, 4 inches, .5 inch. All varying thickness (though overall thinner). My density is declining. Any ideas on how to think of this shedding and evaluate options?

The attached is a morning after careful light brushing hair washed the morning before.

Could it be more than DHT causing this constant shed?

 

[DoctorHouse]

NW1 with diffuse crown and vertex. I’m afraid of Finasteride on Oral Minoxidil for 1 year and RU for 3 months.

I am constantly shedding hair with lengths from 8 inches, 4 inches, .5 inch. All varying thickness (though overall thinner). My density is declining. Any ideas on how to think of this shedding and evaluate options?

The attached is a morning after careful light brushing hair washed the morning before.

Could it be more than DHT causing this constant shed?

What does your doctor say about all this?

 

[bluecyclone]

They all differ 2/3 derms think it’s mild male pattern baldness with another issue. One thinks it’s 100% male pattern baldness. I’ve tried all but propecia, which I just can do yet. All of my doctors have advised against for me after labs etc. But damn it is just getting worse. Only 2 years from perfect hair.

 

[Derek0105]

Can you post a pic of your hair to see he current density?

 

[bluecyclone]

First one is baseline (7/16).

The hairs are all very thin, many shorter/miniaturized mixed in.

Some long hairs have different colors on the same strand from dark brown to white to blind and back to brown... weird

 

[Derek0105]

First one is baseline (7/16).

The hairs are all very thin, many shorter/miniaturized mixed in.

Some long hairs have different colors on the same strand from dark brown to white to blind and back to brown... weird

Hmm I see. From the looks of it, your hair seems to be in great shape. Your concerns with the color could just be the fact that you’re graying. Sometimes when your hair begins to grey the hair has a different texture (ex. Thinner) so it could just be that. Do you have any past photos to compare from?

 

[Retinoid]

Whenever I use topical minoxidil I tend to shed more tiny hairs (in length and width) in the beginning and have a normal to higher shed of longer hairs later on. It has always been good to me thankfully.

 

[bluecyclone]

For me it is a question of density. I’m shedding so much that gaps are emerging and I haven’t been able to slow it down what so ever. I’m debating if the RU is doing more harm than good. I’m assuming even if I tried Finasteride, which I’m too afraid to do at this point I’ll end up with the same port response.

 

[Retinoid]

For me it is a question of density. I’m shedding so much that gaps are emerging and I haven’t been able to slow it down what so ever. I’m debating if the RU is doing more harm than good. I’m assuming even if I tried Finasteride, which I’m too afraid to do at this point I’ll end up with the same port response.

I know it is terrible because you don't know for sure if the hair will come back or what will work, etc. The whole hair loss thing is a nightmare and the treatments are relatively lackluster.

 

[Murkey Thumb]

For me it is a question of density. I’m shedding so much that gaps are emerging and I haven’t been able to slow it down what so ever. I’m debating if the RU is doing more harm than good. I’m assuming even if I tried Finasteride, which I’m too afraid to do at this point I’ll end up with the same port response.

I think you need to give the RU a bit longer time to have an effect, with some people it will take 6 months before you see the full effect and you may shed a couple of times in between. The worse thing you can do is stop at 3 months as you will get a major shed. We know that the full results from Finasteride aren't seen to about 12 month mark so hang on in there.