Six Year Long Hair Loss Battle, Time To Let It Go? (with Pics)

[Crowning]

How can you be so sure?

 

[James227]

Well, because my hair is falling out! Ha ha!

 

[Capone]

Should see me now man, it’s a few years on, it looks f*****g stupid. I shaved my head 2 years ago, had a bit of a melt down! Ha ha! I’ve grown it back out since, it’s thin as f*** though. Just currently going through contacting some clinics here in the uk to see about a hair transplant and weigh up whether or not it’s something I could actually go through with? It’s such a lot of money and you hear nothing but bad reviews about uk clinics but going abroad is just not an option for me. I know it’ll probably look sh*t as well as I’ve got diffused thinning virtually all over rather than an actual bald spot. Ah, I dunno... we’ll see I guess? Honestly, wouldn’t wish this on anybody man. I’ve let it ruin my life.

Do not get a transplant in the Uk.. that will definitely tip you over the edge.. results are subpar and way overpriced.

 

[James227]

What else can I do?

 

[James227]

I’ve seen some decent looking ones. There’s a few guys once YouTube that have documented their journey and it looks pretty good?

 

[crikey1980]

Hi james227, remember you from a couple of years back on the forum, how much worse is it from 2 years back.
The reason I say this is if it's similar then I think your are good, yes you are thinning but with toppik your hair looks amazing and I'm not just bullshitting you.
The problem with a hair transplant with diffuse thinning is the damage transplanting in between existing hairs can cause damage but not always.
I think you should continue to use toppik and no one will ever know you have a hair problem, even without the toppik I think it looks more than passible.
I use toppik myself but only on the hairline.
Good luck mate.

 

[James227]

Hi james227, remember you from a couple of years back on the forum, how much worse is it from 2 years back.
The reason I say this is if it's similar then I think your are good, yes you are thinning but with toppik your hair looks amazing and I'm not just bullshitting you.
The problem with a hair transplant with diffuse thinning is the damage transplanting in between existing hairs can cause damage but not always.
I think you should continue to use toppik and no one will ever know you have a hair problem, even without the toppik I think it looks more than passible.
I use toppik myself but only on the hairline.
Good luck mate.

Yeh man, it’s worse. It’s starting going at the front now. Both temples are a bit ‘meh’ but I can live with it, but I’ve got this like thinned out triangle right at the front where my hair parts. Looks f*****g stupid! You’ll have seen it on other guys, I just can’t explain it that well. And obviously my crown has just continued to thin out too. I still you concealer in my hair nearly everyday and really, I need to start using it in the front but mentally I just can’t bring myself to do it. Guess that would really be admitting that it’s getting worse, you know? Also, I’m not as confident in applying it to the hairline and making it look natural. And I know what you’re saying about a transplant, believe me bro. I’ve been down this road many times. But I’m at the point now where I literally don’t know what else to do? And I’m thinking maybe it’s worth the risk? I’m 32 now and this sh*t has been going on for 8 years. I’m just so f*****g sick of it! I’ve let it rob me of some of the best years of my life and it’s just getting worse. Honestly, my life is so small now. I get up, go to work, come home, walk the dog, have tea, go to bed. Or, get up, day off so I don’t get ready as the agony of having a shower and having to go through the whole farce of dealing with my hair is just too much, walk the dog, play video games all day, walk the dog again, have tea, go to bed. Oh yeah, and I drink nearly every night. Seriously... what a f*****g loser I have become...

 

[Crowning]

Yeh man, it’s worse. It’s starting going at the front now. Both temples are a bit ‘meh’ but I can live with it, but I’ve got this like thinned out triangle right at the front where my hair parts. Looks f*****g stupid! You’ll have seen it on other guys, I just can’t explain it that well. And obviously my crown has just continued to thin out too. I still you concealer in my hair nearly everyday and really, I need to start using it in the front but mentally I just can’t bring myself to do it. Guess that would really be admitting that it’s getting worse, you know? Also, I’m not as confident in applying it to the hairline and making it look natural. And I know what you’re saying about a transplant, believe me bro. I’ve been down this road many times. But I’m at the point now where I literally don’t know what else to do? And I’m thinking maybe it’s worth the risk? I’m 32 now and this sh*t has been going on for 8 years. I’m just so f*****g sick of it! I’ve let it rob me of some of the best years of my life and it’s just getting worse. Honestly, my life is so small now. I get up, go to work, come home, walk the dog, have tea, go to bed. Or, get up, day off so I don’t get ready as the agony of having a shower and having to go through the whole farce of dealing with my hair is just too much, walk the dog, play video games all day, walk the dog again, have tea, go to bed. Oh yeah, and I drink nearly every night. Seriously... what a f*****g loser I have become...

Bear mode?

 

[Selb]

If you’re losing ground on finasteride maybe add dutasteride into the regime. Plus add some topical anti androgen for testosterone. And bro, you’re thirty+, I wouldn’t worry too much if you have coverage for the most part. So many people are in worse positions at younger ages.

you need to make a decision. Shave it all off and stop worrying about it, or keep fighting the battle and leave the self pity behind

 

[Crowning]

It's possible you're still thin. I know there's a thread with 'maxi foot' or something and his hair didn't really improve over his three years of treatment, which sucks.

 

[James227]

Bear mode?

Dunno what this means? Sorry.

If you’re losing ground on finasteride maybe add dutasteride into the regime. Plus add some topical anti androgen for testosterone. And bro, you’re thirty+, I wouldn’t worry too much if you have coverage for the most part. So many people are in worse positions at younger ages.

you need to make a decision. Shave it all off and stop worrying about it, or keep fighting the battle and leave the self pity behind

And yeh man, I know what you’re saying. But it ain’t like this just started in my 30’s, I been dealing with this since my early 20’s and it’s been rough, you feel me? Don’t get me wrong, I know people have it way worse than me and at a younger age and honestly, I feel for them. I never thought I’d get to 30 with hair the way things were going back then, let alone 2 more bonus years! But I’m still not okay with it. I can’t help it. Call it self pity, call it whatever you want. I don’t ask for much in life, I’m a very modest guy who lives well within his means. But hair loss, man, who knew it’d f*** me over the way it has? There are things that mean more to me than my hair of course, but I’m ashamed to say, it’s still pretty f*****g high on that list.

 

[James227]

Been rejected for a transplant by Dr Ball from the Maitland Clinic but Dr Reddy from the Private Clinic has said he can do it (both UK, both look okay). Gonna go for a consultation with him soon and if I go through with it I’ll update here how it all goes/turns out if anyone’s interested? So hope I’m not just gonna flush ten grand down to toilet!!

 

[Selb]

Hey man, good luck!! I’m sure it’ll be great. I think you should add stuff to your regimen while you’re at it. If you’re gonna fight the battle you might as well do it all the way instead of half heartedly. If you’ve lost ground on finasteride, then you need to use dutasteride. On top of that I also recommend using a topical solution with RU. In fact you might as well add a topical dutasteride or finasteride combined with minoxidil solution as well.

Now your remaining hairs can be protected as much as possible and retain your density post-transplant. it’s a hassle I know, but if you know in your heart you’re doing as much as possible to preserve your hair, then you’ll be at ease, balding or not.

 

[debyne]

I’m 44 with a full head of hair. I started thinning a bit in my late 20s. I went off and on finasteride for several years at the beginning because of the fear of sides and Internet doom and gloom. The fence sitting just caused my hair loss to get worse. I finally bit the bullet and just did 1mg of finasteride per day and minoxidil twice per day like clockwork for the last 12 years or so. No side effects once I stopped worrying about them happening and having my mind play tricks on me. It was a miracle for me. Since Covid and working from home, I’ve upped my minoxidil application to three times per day...HUGE difference. My hair is as thick as it was when I was 25. That’s my story.

P.S. Minoxidil has caused ZERO aging of my face. In fact, I look young but that’s due to a good skin care routine and genetics.

 

[Selb]

I’m 44 with a full head of hair. I started thinning a bit in my late 20s. I went off and on finasteride for several years at the beginning because of the fear of sides and Internet doom and gloom. The fence sitting just caused my hair loss to get worse. I finally bit the bullet and just did 1mg of finasteride per day and minoxidil twice per day like clockwork. It was a miracle for me. Since Covid and working from home, I’ve upped my minoxidil application to three times per day...HUGE difference. My hair is as thick as it was when I was 25. That’s my story.

How much time passed in between you thinning and getting on finasteride the first time? And how much thinning would you describe it as, like loss of 10% density?

a few more questions too: were you a diffuse thinner? Did you have family history of baldness? How much body hair do you have?

sorry for the questions, just trying to form a theory in my head

 

[debyne]

How much time passed in between you thinning and getting on finasteride the first time? And how much thinning would you describe it as, like loss of 10% density?

a few more questions too: were you a diffuse thinner? Did you have family history of baldness? How much body hair do you have?

sorry for the questions, just trying to form a theory in my head

Ask all the questions you want. I’m really here in the hope my story can help you guys. Just to clarify, my hair isn't like it was when I was 21...but it's mostly full and people (including my family) comment on how thick it looks.

I probably started on finasteride 2-3 years after noticing thinning. The % loss was probably 10-20% maybe? It wasn’t like I was going bald at all, but I was definitely thinning out on my crown and mid-way across my head. It was kind of diffuse in those areas, but not all over my head. I’ve had a good hairline so that wasn’t an issue.

I do have thinning run in my family, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise. My older brothers are diffuse thinning but not bald...same with my dad. My Mom’s side has men who go bald for sure.

Body hair? I don’t have a lot. I’d say medium amount in that regard. I definitely grow some chest and stomach hair but no back hair really.

 

[James227]

Hey man, good luck!! I’m sure it’ll be great. I think you should add stuff to your regimen while you’re at it. If you’re gonna fight the battle you might as well do it all the way instead of half heartedly. If you’ve lost ground on finasteride, then you need to use dutasteride. On top of that I also recommend using a topical solution with RU. In fact you might as well add a topical dutasteride or finasteride combined with minoxidil solution as well.

Now your remaining hairs can be protected as much as possible and retain your density post-transplant. it’s a hassle I know, but if you know in your heart you’re doing as much as possible to preserve your hair, then you’ll be at ease, balding or not.

Okay, say I did start on dutasteride, would you switch altogether or just take it every other day to finasteride? Also, in your opinion, am I likely to go through another shed? I only ask, because I go through shedding phases all the time (am doing currently) and I don’t think my hair could really take another ‘bad’ one. As far as all the other topical stuff you mentioned, I’m not really clued up on all that stuff. Would you mind just explaining it a littler better or maybe just a specific regime that I could possibly follow? I am seriously thinking about switching to Duta this time, I just know the side effects are a little more serious and I’ve heard some strange things like it can wreck your hairline etc? Not sure if any of these things are true, you know how the internet is? Also, what do you think of Dr Reddy? Have you heard of him? I can either go and see him in London for a consultation, the price is £200 no refundable and about £100 in travel for me, so altogether £300 for the consultation - which is a lot! Also, they’ve kind of hinted that the transplant could be around £6 - 10k! Or, I can go to their Manchester clinic to see one of the other surgeons, Dr Raja, consultations with him are £100 plus about £50 travel for me, so half the price. The price for the transplant is lower too, more like £4 - 8k? What do you think? Thank you.

 

[Selb]

Ask all the questions you want. I’m really here in the hope my story can help you guys. Just to clarify, my hair isn't like it was when I was 21...but it's mostly full and people (including my family) comment on how thick it looks.

I probably started on finasteride 2-3 years after noticing thinning. The % loss was probably 10-20% maybe? It wasn’t like I was going bald at all, but I was definitely thinning out on my crown and mid-way across my head. It was kind of diffuse in those areas, but not all over my head. I’ve had a good hairline so that wasn’t an issue.

I do have thinning run in my family, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise. My older brothers are diffuse thinning but not bald...same with my dad. My Mom’s side has men who go bald for sure.

Body hair? I don’t have a lot. I’d say medium amount in that regard. I definitely grow some chest and stomach hair but no back hair really.

Thank you for answering my questions! The body hair question was because I heard there was a correlation between finasteride effectiveness at regrowth and body hair.

Okay, say I did start on dutasteride, would you switch altogether or just take it every other day to finasteride? Also, in your opinion, am I likely to go through another shed? I only ask, because I go through shedding phases all the time (am doing currently) and I don’t think my hair could really take another ‘bad’ one. As far as all the other topical stuff you mentioned, I’m not really clued up on all that stuff. Would you mind just explaining it a littler better or maybe just a specific regime that I could possibly follow? I am seriously thinking about switching to Duta this time, I just know the side effects are a little more serious and I’ve heard some strange things like it can wreck your hairline etc? Not sure if any of these things are true, you know how the internet is? Also, what do you think of Dr Reddy? Have you heard of him? I can either go and see him in London for a consultation, the price is £200 no refundable and about £100 in travel for me, so altogether £300 for the consultation - which is a lot! Also, they’ve kind of hinted that the transplant could be around £6 - 10k! Or, I can go to their Manchester clinic to see one of the other surgeons, Dr Raja, consultations with him are £100 plus about £50 travel for me, so half the price. The price for the transplant is lower too, more like £4 - 8k? What do you think? Thank you.

I would do dutasteride once or twice a week alongside your daily finasteride. If that’s not effective for your hair loss I’d slowly up the dutasteride to more times a week and start using less finasteride. Yes dutasteride can adversely affect your hairline if you’re sensitive to testosterone. But that’s why you should also use RU. It’s a topical androgen receptor blocker which can block testosterone from reaching the scalp that you yourself either need to mix or buy mixed from someone. Whatever’s cheaper or more convenient for you. Check out moreplatesmoredates, he has an article on it.

as for shedding, most of the time shedding from hair loss medications means you’ll get that same hair back but stronger. Can’t guarantee all the shed hairs will be part of that group that comes back stronger but if you research around I’m sure you can find anecdotes about shedding.

the other topical stuff like topical finasteride mixed with minoxidil and other stuff, maybe to not overload you you can add that if you’re still running into problems.

transplant stuff I have no idea about unfortunately

 

[James227]

Thank you for answering my questions! The body hair question was because I heard there was a correlation between finasteride effectiveness at regrowth and body hair.



I would do dutasteride once or twice a week alongside your daily finasteride. If that’s not effective for your hair loss I’d slowly up the dutasteride to more times a week and start using less finasteride. Yes dutasteride can adversely affect your hairline if you’re sensitive to testosterone. But that’s why you should also use RU. It’s a topical androgen receptor blocker which can block testosterone from reaching the scalp that you yourself either need to mix or buy mixed from someone. Whatever’s cheaper or more convenient for you. Check out moreplatesmoredates, he has an article on it.

as for shedding, most of the time shedding from hair loss medications means you’ll get that same hair back but stronger. Can’t guarantee all the shed hairs will be part of that group that comes back stronger but if you research around I’m sure you can find anecdotes about shedding.

the other topical stuff like topical finasteride mixed with minoxidil and other stuff, maybe to not overload you you can add that if you’re still running into problems.

transplant stuff I have no idea about unfortunately

Oh! So if I was going to use dutasteride I would have to use RU as well? Man, this is kind of getting complicated now! Why couldn’t I have just been one of those guys who took finasteride and used minoxidil and never thought about hair loss again?! So frustrating. I’m having second thoughts about going to see Dr Reddy as well. Looking him up online now and it just sounds like he’s the best of a bad bunch? Argh! I was thinking of going to Belgium at one point last year but I don’t know how that’d work at the moment with all this covid bull sh*t?! Ah, I just dunno what to do? Maybe it is time to just f*****g leave it now?

 

[Scott Ryan]

Been rejected for a transplant by Dr Ball from the Maitland Clinic but Dr Reddy from the Private Clinic has said he can do it (both UK, both look okay). Gonna go for a consultation with him soon and if I go through with it I’ll update here how it all goes/turns out if anyone’s interested? So hope I’m not just gonna flush ten grand down to toilet!!

Forget about Maitland ... Ball won't touch anyone unless he's convinced he can do a good job - they are backed up with people wanting surgery and they pic the easy candidates as they don't want a bad reputation - they are running scared of a challenging candidate - if you look at Indeed they are aggressively advertising for staff on just above minimum wage. It's supply and demand.