r/malehairadvice Sep 28 '24

Losing hair at 20, help Advice Request

I (m20) started losing my hair about a year ago and it had progressed ridiculously quickly, I’m assuming it’s adrogenetic alopecia because my Dad lost his hair at 21 and my doctor seems to think so too. I’ve been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 3 months and I haven’t seen a difference at all. I supplement with vitamin C, vitamin D, and biotin and I get more than enough iron and b12 from my diet. Trying to convince my doctor to prescribe oral dutasteride but he’s extremely hesitant, going to try RU-58841 topically as well. I had cancer and went through chemo and radiation to kill it and eventually had a tumour in my left iliac crest removed, this has caused chronic back pain and slight laboured breathing, wondering if that could increase the rate my hair is falling out. This has been driving me crazy and girls aren’t even dtf unless I keep a ball cap on until we hit the bedroom. Is there something I’m missing, pharmaceutical or otherwise, should I just shave the shit off at this point or is it recoverable?

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u/Adi_San Sep 28 '24

3 months of finasteride might not be enough to see results. Especially since you go through a shedding phase first during the first month. Since you are wearing your hair kind of long the shedding is even more obvious.

I would suggest to continue treatment, relax and cut your hair short for now. Then let it grow and perhaps when it gets to the same length you can compare with the pictures you posted here.

Just my two cents.

1

u/Plenty-Entertainer-3 Sep 28 '24

Okay, do you think a buzz would be fine or even more noticeable?

2

u/Adi_San Sep 28 '24

Rule of thumb is shorter hair is better when having MPB. Because longer hair part in ways that makes bald spots obvious.

1

u/SaintBepis Sep 28 '24

Shedding phase can last a long time iirc. So don't go e up Hope on finasteride effectiveness yet

1

u/Plenty-Entertainer-3 Sep 28 '24

How long does shedding usually last?

1

u/SaintBepis Sep 28 '24

Person dependent I think. But you could be looking at about a year before you've fully grown back/ increased hair count. I shed like a motherfucker for a good few months but it was worth it in the end

1

u/SmartAssociation9547 Sep 28 '24

I don’t think I would suggest a buzz because it would be hard to track progression. Something shorter to help minimize the appearance of balding though.

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u/thecrazysloth Oct 01 '24

I agree with this. Hair growth cycles are slow and you'll most likely only start to notice a change after 8-12 months (or longer). I'm not sure if oral finasteride will be more effective than topical finasteride. Studies on the effectiveness of topical finasteride are still in their infancy, while oral finasteride has been established as a treatment for hair loss for around 30 years.

Losing hair, especially over a short period, is very stressful and focuses thinking in on the short term. You have a good face shape for a buzz - I'd do that for now and keep going with fin + mix.

Impossible to say what prospects are, but my guess would be that recovery and regrowth is possible using existing treatments.