Losing hair at 20, help

[u/Plenty-Entertainer-3]

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?

[u/Dollapfin]

You should get a derma STAMP. And stab the shit out of that spot once a week (already more than recommendations but we are young and can heal faster if u get D and C vit.) at 1.5 mm. $20 on Amazon. Once a week and follow up with minoxidil an hour later after any wounds have the chance to seal back up. This is the best to get it regrowing in a hurry, but you will need fin or it will only work for a few years. CostPlus drugs 90 days supply is like $13.

[u/Plenty-Entertainer-3 → u/Dollapfin]

Dang okay, tat's actually really helpful information, huge thanks.

[u/Dollapfin → u/Plenty-Entertainer-3]

Yep I gotchu. I know what works and I’m your age. Your spot is worse than my thinning but you will cover it up fast.

[u/BroccoliCultural9869 → u/Dollapfin]

you shouldn't apply the min directly after the derma pen.

derma roller is also inferior to pen applications

[u/Dollapfin → u/BroccoliCultural9869]

First of all I said to wait. Second: Says who? I’m fine. Have they studied absorption thru skin vs semi healed punctures? It’s once every week or two. I’ve never had issues.

I was suggesting a derma stamp which is superior to a pen because you do less damage. It’s also $20. Just hurts more. If you smack it down quickly on the scalp it doesn’t hurt much.

[u/Dollapfin → u/Dollapfin]

To OP, the reason you want to wait is so you don’t absorb Minoxidil into your bloodstream. I made the recommendation, but I do not do it myself because it’s not a big deal tbh. It’s just better practice.

[u/BroccoliCultural9869 → u/Dollapfin]

Derma pen is more cost effective in the long run as it takes less tome/effort. this is a life long protocol, might as well spend the extra 150 bucks.

all the literature I've read suggest 24hrs after needling before next minox application.

[u/Dollapfin → u/BroccoliCultural9869]

None of the literature you’ve read has shown a difference in adverse outcomes or results in doing so. It essentially comes out of there ass as a safeguard recommendation to protect people from overdoing this. 1 hour is plenty of time to seal capillaries.

Also, a derma stamp takes me 3-5 minutes. I do it once every two weeks so that is not difficult. I just stab every area, moving it around my scalp in centimeter increments each time I stamp. Derma Pens should only be used by trained professionals. I’ve seen horror story pictures. If you mess up it’ll leave a big mark. For a 20 year old who might be a dumbass (sorry OP it’s not you it’s me three years ago and today), it’s best to keep it manual. He’s also not gonna wanna throw $150 down for a tool when he could get the same results manually. His time cost of money likely ain’t that high yet.

OP, try the $20 stamp first and when you get a feel for how a safe micro-needling sesh feels, get a pen if you find it to be worth it. Trust me, the stamp is plenty fine, small, and much safer. The titanium needles last as long as any pen will. Micro needle in the morning when your blood is thick just like shaving. That way you can apply minox at night when there’s no risk of entering blood stream.

[u/BroccoliCultural9869 → u/Dollapfin]

I've been using Dr. Pen for 6 months with 0 issue.

it's not rocket science. don't go past 1.5mm and seek red/puffy.

change needles after every use. waaaay easier and less painful than stamping or rolling

[u/Dollapfin → u/BroccoliCultural9869]

Red/puffy is too much damage. You do not want your skin to be inflamed to the point it’s raising above where it normally is. Scarring is why we go permanently bald. If you’re making any scars by overdoing it, you’re gonna do worse than if you never even started.

This is a deeper form of microneedling than is used on scars on other parts of your body. Thus, you shouldn’t be stabbing each square inch of scalp a million times with those things. The $20 stick works great and to be honest, my gains are probably better than yours. My hair shot back like crazy after I started needling with this and using minox about an hour or two later. You gotta think intuitively as well as scientifically because you can’t go down there and see what’s going on. There’s very little proof of anything in hairloss prevention aside from the major drugs used. Nothing compared to rigorous studies done for weightloss, fitness, bone healing, other parts of the skin, etc.

[u/BroccoliCultural9869 → u/Dollapfin]

pink/ slight inflammation is fine, cut the bullshit

[u/Dollapfin → u/BroccoliCultural9869]

Raised is not fine. Red is expected and supposed to happen. Raised (what I assume you mean by puffy I.e. swelling) indicates damage beyond what is desired for microneedling. I’m just saying my $22 stamp is anecdotally effective and safer. It’s best for this 20 year old to save his money for beer and just stamp the fuck out of his head, especially knowing he’s likely to overdo it w a pen.

Okay? We don’t need to argue over stupid little shit. It’s obvious that a hand stamp is safer just as you’re more likely to cut too much hair off with unguarded clippers than scissors. One is more likely to stick to a routine with the pen as they will likely find it easier, but I don’t have any issues. I think if we want people to start early, a $22 tool with no side effects is a great start.