Finasteride 9 month update (23M)

Progress Pictures 3/24/2023

DHT affects hair follicles, contributing to hair loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss, though they may have side effects and varying effectiveness.

OP is experiencing ongoing hair shedding despite two years on finasteride, with some initial improvement but no long-term success. Users suggest seasonal shedding, checking for vitamin deficiencies, considering minoxidil, and possibly switching to dutasteride.

After 11 years on Finasteride, a user's hair is thinning again, suggesting hair may become more sensitive to DHT with age. They plan to introduce Dutasteride once a week, as they cannot tolerate Minoxidil.

Hair follicles can be dormant and potentially revived with treatments like finasteride and minoxidil, but irreversible loss occurs if certain structures are destroyed. Early intervention is more effective, and additional methods like microneedling may help.

Dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels, potentially more effectively than finasteride, and is used to treat hair loss. Some users report side effects like reduced libido and mood changes, while others experience hair regrowth and increased testosterone.

Minoxidil helps hair growth by increasing blood flow and prolonging the growth phase, but it doesn't address the root cause of hair loss, such as DHT sensitivity. Finasteride can help maintain some gains by blocking DHT, but stopping Minoxidil often leads to hair loss because the new hairs are dependent on it.