A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.
Hair loss is linked to scalp fibrosis and tension, which result from chronic mechanical stress and androgenic signaling. Treatments include blocking androgens with finasteride, promoting hair growth with topical minoxidil, and improving scalp mobility through exercises.
Minoxidil is extremely toxic to cats, even from residue on surfaces, and can be deadly if they come into contact with it. Switching to oral minoxidil is suggested as a safer alternative for pet owners.
The user experienced hair loss since 2019 and tried finasteride, dutasteride, RU58841, and ketoconazole shampoo without success. A scalp biopsy showed scarring and inflammation from folliculitis, indicating chronic inflammation was affecting treatment effectiveness.