A 21-year-old male is using finasteride, minoxidil, and had a hair transplant to address lifelong thin, diffuse hair loss. Progress pictures show changes over two months.
A 24-year-old with a history of hair loss, low testosterone, and other health issues is seeking advice on treatments. They are considering options like topical and oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, PRP therapy, tretinoin, and microneedling.
The conversation is about seeking alternatives to finasteride for hair loss treatment due to concerns about sexual side effects, with pyrilutamide mentioned as a potential alternative.
A male in his early 40s, who experienced side effects from finasteride, used 2.5% topical spironolactone for one year with no side effects but minimal regrowth. He plans to try a 5% spironolactone solution next.
Finasteride and dutasteride are discussed for hair loss, with concerns about their effects on neurosteroids and potential side effects like depression. Alternatives like topical estrogen and lifestyle changes are considered, with varying opinions on mental health and hair regrowth.
A female, aged 17-18, is experiencing significant hair loss, feeling hopeless despite trying various treatments like leave-in conditioners, omega-3s, supplements, sulfate-free shampoo, and biotin. She is distressed as her hair continues to thin, affecting her body image and self-esteem.
A user experienced unexpected hormone test results after 7 months on 1mg daily finasteride, noting a decrease in estradiol despite expectations of an increase. Other users suggested that hormone responses can vary and that finasteride might still be effective if DHT levels are within range, while also mentioning factors like circadian rhythm and stress that could impact results.
Clascoterone, a topical anti-androgen, is generating interest for potentially fewer systemic side effects. Users are curious about its effectiveness and details like concentration and duration of use.
Tazarotene shows potential as a standalone treatment for hair regrowth by stimulating new hair follicle formation and promoting angiogenesis, similar to microneedling effects. It can be used topically without minoxidil, but users should start with a low concentration to avoid irritation.
Dutasteride can significantly reduce sperm volume, with some users experiencing up to a 90% decrease. While some users report adaptation over time, others suggest switching to finasteride if side effects are too severe.
A 36-year-old man restarted hair loss treatment after a break, using topical Minoxidil 5% twice daily, topical Finasteride 0.01% daily, and Ketoconazole 2% three times a week, along with supplements like Vitamin B12, D3, C, Biotin, Omega-3, zinc, and copper. He avoids oral Finasteride due to side effects and plans to evaluate progress after a year.
A 27-year-old considering a hair transplant after going bald from 2018 to 2024. Recommendations include using finasteride and minoxidil before the transplant, with mixed opinions on their long-term use and side effects.
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.
After gyno surgery, OP is considering restarting finasteride at a lower dose (0.25mg/0.5mg) or switching to topical to reduce the risk of gyno recurrence. Lower doses and topical application may lessen side effects due to reduced systemic absorption.
A user is considering starting spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia but is concerned about stopping it before pregnancy. Another user suggests trying topical treatments as an alternative.
The user is using 5% topical minoxidil, 1mg oral finasteride, biotin, vitamin D, zinc, and microneedling for hair loss. They report no sexual side effects and feel their libido may have increased.
A 20-year-old male shared progress pictures after three months of using 1mg oral finasteride daily, 5% minoxidil twice daily, and a 1.5mm dermaroller weekly. He reported significant hair regrowth.
The conversation discusses various hair loss treatments, including pyrilutamide, RU58841, topical dutasteride, oral minoxidil, and oral finasteride/dutasteride. It also mentions potential treatments like PP405, Verteporfin, GT20029, and AMP303.
A 36-year-old man shared his 1.25-year progress using oral finasteride, oral minoxidil, RU58841, microneedling, nizoral, and LLLT for hair regrowth. He is thrilled with the results and considering a hair transplant for increased density.
The conversation discusses a botanically derived treatment for androgenetic alopecia using ingredients like saw palmetto, green tea, and evening primrose, showing impressive results over 270 days. Concerns include the study's uncontrolled nature and potential product motivation, with suggestions to enhance absorption through derma rolling.
A 26-year-old with extreme male pattern baldness saw hair regrowth after 6 months using Minoxidil, Finasteride, microneedling, Nizoral, a vitamin complex, biotin, and a shampoo with baicapil. Continuation of treatment is necessary to maintain results; stopping may lead to hair loss, making a hair transplant a potential future option.
A 24-year-old woman with AGA and TE since age 14 is questioning if her hair is regrowing or breaking. She has been using minoxidil consistently since September 2025, along with caffeine and ketoconazole shampoos, rosemary oil, and saw palmetto, and has improved her overall hair care routine.
Tretinoin combined with minoxidil may improve hair regrowth, especially in difficult areas like temples, but requires diligent scalp cleaning. Some users suggest oral minoxidil as a more potent and less irritating alternative.
The user regained hair and reduced forehead size using a routine of 1mg finasteride, 5mg minoxidil, topical minoxidil twice daily, tretinoin before minoxidil, derma stamping weekly, red light therapy daily, and ketoconazole shampoo thrice weekly. They experienced initial side effects with finasteride but adjusted the dosage over time.
The conversation revolves around how balding has made the original poster and others hyper-aware of other men's hairlines, often judging the severity of their hair loss and whether they've had treatments like hair transplants, minoxidil, or finasteride. Some participants express a need for therapy due to their obsession, while others joke about their newfound "expertise" in assessing hair loss.
A male in his early 20s with CCCA (scarring alopecia) started treatment with Finasteride, Fluocinolone, and Doxycycline. Steroid injections were suggested but not yet done.
Dutasteride and high-dose Minoxidil are the primary treatments maintaining hair, with additional supplements and therapies like red light offering minimal extra benefit. The discussion criticizes promoting expensive hair care products when basic medications are doing most of the work.
The user has been using finasteride since November 2023, which improved their hair and confidence, and they plan to switch to dutasteride and get a hair transplant. They noticed hair thickening after 3-4 months on finasteride and are considering oral dutasteride and minoxidil for further improvement.
Clascoterone is considered overhyped and not as effective as finasteride or dutasteride, but it may be useful as a supportive treatment in combination with other therapies. Users express skepticism about its effectiveness compared to clinical trials, with some suggesting it could be beneficial for those who cannot tolerate other treatments.
Finasteride users cannot donate blood due to potential risks to pregnant women, requiring a one-month cessation before donating. Dutasteride requires a six-month deferral, and topical applications are not restricted.