Androgenic alopecia (AGA) might have evolved to reduce prostate cancer risk by increasing UV exposure to the scalp, but this theory is debated. Treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are used for AGA, though the exact causes and evolutionary reasons for hair loss are unclear.
A 19-year-old has been using finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling to treat hair loss with no regrowth, feeling mentally affected by it. Advice given includes continuing treatment, considering a hair transplant, addressing potential vitamin deficiencies, and possibly switching to dutasteride or adding ketoconazole shampoo.
The conversation is about the struggles of dealing with diffuse thinning at a young age and the lack of significant improvement after using treatments like finasteride and minoxidil. Some suggest additional methods like derma rolling, microneedling, and hair fibers, while others share their own experiences and encourage persistence with treatment.
A 20-year-old experiencing hair thinning became depressed and sought treatment. The new dermatologist prescribed a routine including topical minoxidil, finasteride, derma stamping, Nizoral shampoo, rosemary oil, and scalp massages.
User experienced hair growth with finasteride and minoxidil, but after using tretinoin, faced aggressive thinning and hair loss. They plan to stop tretinoin for two months to see if the problem improves.
Oral minoxidil and spironolactone helped restore the hairline but not the scalp behind it. Hairline and temples often respond first to treatment, with mid-scalp and crown following later.
A 12-year-old diagnosed with alopecia shares their experience and current treatments, including Dermovate, an unnamed cream, and liquid iron. The community offers support and encouragement.
Using retinol with minoxidil may not be as effective as tretinoin, but retinaldehyde or adapalene could be alternatives. A micro-roller with minoxidil is suggested for better results.
Baldness is difficult to cure because current treatments like finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil only prevent hair shedding, and new developments are mostly ineffective. Botox shows potential in aiding skin regeneration and hair growth, but maintenance therapy with treatments like dutasteride and minoxidil may still be necessary.
The user's hair appears to have improved, looking thicker and healthier, especially around the temples, after using topical minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, and tretinoin. Most participants agree the last picture shows significant improvement, though one disagrees.
A 23-year-old is experiencing hair that is thick at the ends but thin at the roots despite using minoxidil and finasteride for 10 months. They are concerned about whether this is normal or a sign of miniaturization and seek advice on reversing or improving the condition.
The conversation is about creating a topical hair loss treatment with B6, zinc, and azelaic acid, which is claimed to inhibit 90% of scalp DHT. One user is skeptical about the effectiveness of this treatment and its comparison to other treatments without side effects.
The user started taking 1 mg finasteride daily in September 2024 and began derma stamping twice a week, noticing progress initially but now experiencing increased scalp visibility. They are considering adding oral or topical minoxidil to their routine for further improvement.
A 27-year-old male with AGA and diffused thinning has been using oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, Vitamin D, B12, Iron, and Ketoconazole shampoo. Despite a hair transplant and improved blood levels, he continues to experience hair loss and suspects a possible misdiagnosis of Alopecia Areata Incognita.
Tretinoin may improve minoxidil's effectiveness for hair growth, but results vary; some users report no change or potential hair loss acceleration. Tretinoin is included in some topical hair loss treatments sold by dermatologists and online companies.
The user reintroduced RU58841 and noticed increased shedding and visible thinning. They have also been using dutasteride and oral minoxidil for 2 years.
The user experienced significant hair shedding after using a dermapen at 1.5mm weekly, which they later realized was too much. They are now using a dermapen at 0.75mm weekly and are also using topical minoxidil twice daily and finasteride 1.25mg daily.
Using tretinoin with minoxidil can cause burning and flaky skin due to alcohol in minoxidil and tretinoin's effects. Solutions include using minoxidil foam, starting with low tretinoin doses, moisturizing, and gradually increasing usage.
A 40+ year old is regrowing their hairline using microneedling, minoxidil, tretinoin, low-level laser therapy, massages, and Nizoral, without using finasteride or dutasteride. They noted progress in hair growth below a birthmark, an area that hadn't seen growth since their teenage years.
A 40-year-old used minoxidil, dutasteride, RU58841, and microneedling for one year, resulting in noticeable hair regrowth despite initial shedding. They believe having more hair is beneficial for dating at their age and also recommend staying fit, eating well, and sleeping over 8 hours.
Oral minoxidil is effective for hair loss and unlikely to significantly affect collagen synthesis, making it a safe option without causing premature skin aging. Users report positive hair regrowth without noticeable skin aging.
Topical minoxidil with tretinoin is causing redness, stinging, and flaking on the scalp. Reducing application frequency and using anti-dandruff shampoo may help alleviate symptoms over time.
The conversation discusses a new model for understanding androgenetic alopecia (AGA), linking it to dietary and lifestyle factors similar to PCOS, and highlighting the role of DHT, vascular damage, and inflammation. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.
A 39 year old male who has been balding since 23 and is intolerant to finasteride, using microneedling with Derminator 2 once per week and minoxidil foam twice daily in an effort to increase thickness of vellus hairs on the crown and maintain hairline.
The user experienced rapid diffuse hair thinning for five years despite no signs of AGA or miniaturization. They tried finasteride and oral minoxidil without success and have checked thyroid, iron, and vitamin D levels.
The user is managing hair loss with oral finasteride, recently switching to dutasteride, and topical minoxidil, but faces challenges due to seborrheic dermatitis. They seek advice on effective regrowth methods that don't worsen their condition, with suggestions including various shampoos like Vichy Dercos and ketoconazole.
The user experienced a receding hairline and tried minoxidil, which may have slowed the process but caused puffy eyes. They are hesitant to use finasteride and suspect oily dandruff might be an aggravator.
Pelage Pharmaceuticals' PP405 aims to treat hair loss by reactivating dormant hair follicle stem cells, showing promising results in early trials. The company plans to present their findings at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in 2026.
A user discusses their hair thinning journey, starting minoxidil at 16, switching treatments, and experiencing significant shedding after resuming minoxidil. They are now using minoxidil daily and considering PRP if shedding continues, while also planning lifestyle changes to improve their condition.