Hey chaps and chapettes. I am new here and only relatively recently heard about this potential treatment, but I thought I'd pitch in with a few ramblings as my hair loss has recently been getting me down somewhat. I started losing my hair around my 28th birthday, back in 2015, but after quite an intense shed, I failed to realise it was the dreaded male pattern baldness, and put it down to simply stress related loss which I had suffered from before. In the autumn of 2016, however, after cutting my hair short and being exposed to the harsh spotlight of my bathroom, my heart sank. I am a pretty decent looking guy, if my look happens to be your cup of tea, but without hair I think I look like a right tit. And even if not, and I manage to scrape by with some semi-masculine look - it would have helped if I was taller than 5'10'' - I would still have liked the option to not be forced into a style that doesn't feel like me at all. As my hair loss is rather diffuse, my hairline hasnt broken too terribly - though even at 18 it was very 'mature' to start with - so I can still cover it up reasonably well. However, pull back the curtains and there is a horror show under there, which I don't know how much longer will be able to hold back from rearing its ugly head - literally.
Anyway, I stumbled across all this after looking to see if there were any upcoming treatments in the next year or so, as otherwise, I think I might have to bite the bullet and shave it off, before the 'just shave it' brigade start to come out in force while sniggering behind my back. I don't hold out too much hope, being a certain age has allowed me to experience my fair share of letdowns, nevertheless, this is a little ray of sunshine in the dark. I just hope it doesnt gleam right back off my balding scalp and burn through my hopes and dreams. I know it is supposed to work better for the under thirties, and that's fair enough as at least I got to experiences most of my twenties with good hair, but being 31 next month, I do hope that isn't a strict cut off point. I'd be very content with just a complete halt of hair loss and just some modest gains. This 5 year claim would cure me completely, but I am definitely not expecting such wonders. But yes, if it can freeze my hair in time and maybe, just maybe, if it reverses a year or twos worth of loss, I will be singing deliriously in the rain without worrying about my scalp being hideously exposed. Even if it only lasts for 5 years or so, that will probably provide a sufficient bridge to the next, better treatment. As for the 5 year claim itself sounding a bit suspect. I'd imagine that's just a general guideline of what to expect in an ideal scenario under reasonably typical hair loss circumstances. And we don't know if it even is going to be the final claim or used in actual marketing at all. Here's hoping for a more or less sideless treatment, with at least the effect of minoxidil plus finasteride, working in a greater proportion of people than those two currently do, perhaps even with a little extra spice thrown in for good measure.
My fingers are crossed for you all, even the guys here who are utterly dismissive. Lets hope for the best, but not be too disheartened if the best doesn't come.