The user is experiencing hair shedding while using finasteride and topical minoxidil with tretinoin, keto shampoo, and dermarolling. They hope the shedding indicates future hair regrowth.
Finasteride was intentionally developed to treat BPH and later approved for male pattern baldness (MPB) due to its 5AR inhibition effects. The delay in MPB approval was due to concerns about off-label use for female hirsutism and the prioritization of treating a more debilitating condition.
A 28-year-old male experienced hair loss after COVID-19 and used Minoxidil with initial success, but later faced shedding again. He started Finasteride in February 2025, noticing improvements, but recent shedding has caused concern; his regimen includes Minoxidil, microneedling, ketoconazole shampoo, red light therapy, supplements, and a healthy lifestyle.
Stopping minoxidil will likely result in losing any gains made from its use, potentially returning hair to its pre-treatment state or worse due to ongoing hair loss. The user plans to continue using finasteride and undergo a hair transplant, hoping it will compensate for any loss from stopping minoxidil.
The user plans to use an electric microneedling pen for hair loss, set to penetrate 0.6mm to 0.8mm, and apply rosemary oil in jojoba oil post-treatment. They also intend to use 5% Minoxidil daily, followed by a blend of rosemary, peppermint, and jojoba oils.
The conversation discusses using microneedling combined with castor, peppermint, rosemary oils, and caffeine as a treatment for mild hair loss, aiming to stop or slow down hair loss and potentially regrow hair. The effectiveness of this treatment without side effects is uncertain, and it may slow hair loss but results vary.
An update on the use of Pyrilutamide, a new drug for hair loss, which has resulted in no shedding or testicle ache; other users have questioned the science behind this and shared their own experiences with Finasteride, Minoxidil, and microneedling.
Slow, steady progress on hair loss treatments such as finasteride, minoxidil, microneedling and Nizoral; the need for patience when using these treatments over a period of months or years; and how to deal with discouragement due to slow progress.
Microneedling can promote hair growth, but there is uncertainty about the best practices, including needle length, device, and session frequency. Users discuss using needle lengths between 0.5mm and 1.5mm, with some experiencing pinpoint bleeding, and emphasize the need for more reliable resources and guidelines.
A user claimed to cure their baby's baldness by using finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, dermarolling, scalp massages, and headstands to increase blood flow. Commenters responded with humor, suggesting various exercises and questioning the legitimacy of the transformation.