Just hit 25 and my hair is on death's door (diffuse) Could do with some advice

[youngandscared]

Hi guys,

I haven't graced these boards since 2007 when I was 17 and desperate for some good advice. I got it back then and am returning in the hope that I might be able to get some second opinions of what to do next now that my situation has very much deteriorated.

I just turned 25 and for the past few years I've managed to largely keep my hair loss at bay (or at least learned how to hide it very well!)

Back at 17, the hair loss I'd noticed since 16 had a real grip on my life and self worth - it was psychologically exhausting and I made a decision to hit back at it hard. I went on finasteride at 17, kept on that till 22 and when I noticed my hair falling out had about 6 months where I was taking both finasteride and dutasteride simultaneously (probably not the best idea) and decided to just take dutasteride from then until present day.

Over the past 12 months things have gone from bad to worse.

Some shots of my hairline (I've chosen lighting that shows had bad it is where possible) below (taken this week):



The below photo was taken back in July 2014 and shows just how much my hair is diffuse thinning, it really is all over. Since then things are worse - it really just depends on the lighting



Historically, my one fortune in all of this mess has been that my hair gains massive density and 'fluffs up' when it is dry. Here is a pic from semi-dry recently:



I am now losing hair and losing it fast. For years I have worn my hair just flat and down to try to hide the hairline and look normal. I can't attach any more pics on this post (8 allowed) so will post more on a comment afterwards.

Things that are now happening:
- I am losing my hairline completely, if you can even call it a hairline any more!
- the hair in the front, middle of my hairline and behind it is rapidly thinning into nothing
- Lots of my hairs are turning bright white - I literally have to pluck them out (sideburns mainly but some in other places)
- I've had slight gyno appear on one side of my chest because of the dutasteride which can't be removed on the NHS apparently

I started using minoxidil recently (a month or so) but only sporadically - basically when I have the bed to myself which is about half the time. When I put it in and when it tries it makes my hair look so transparent that I feel uncomfortable around the person I'm dating when it happens.

How it's affecting my life at the moment:
- I hate wind; wind in the streets, wind on a terrace, wind on a boat, wind on a rollercoaster - all wind! Any time it blows and my hairline is exposed it sends a shiver down my spine!
- I hate water; rain, showers at a gym, sweat from exercise, swimming, the sea etc.
- People touching my hair, in a friendly way, in sex, anything!
- Psychologically, losing my hair diffusely and at 25 and having my hairline destroyed is really taking it's toll. I don't feel confident and I am worried for the next 12 months ahead. At the moment I would say it's consuming me, my anxiety about it in so many day to day normal situations (like a bit of wind or rain or a trip to the beach or a funfair) all cause me a lot of distress.

I need to decide what to do next, I have very aggressive hairloss and I am sure the meds made a big impact on keeping my hair as long as I have but my hair is getting so bad now that I cannot hide it at all.

So, do I:

- Try some new meds / therapies? I'm not really sure what is new / out there these days.
- Look at a hair piece? I would be so worried about it being detectable but the relief it could bring might also be life changing for me.
- Shave it? Trouble is I have a massive forehead and I don't think a shaved look would suit me.
- Anything else?

Would really appreciate some advice from you guys; what would you do?

 

[hellouser]

Nice photo in Rome.. cherish these moments, you won't be smiling much in future pictures.

 

[youngandscared]

Some more examples of how I have just kept my hair flat below. I would LOVE to have spiked up hair without a fringe and an exposed hairline which is why I wonder whether a hair piece might be a saving grace, but I don't know if that's just wishful thinking.



Recent shot showing the gap in the middle front of my hairline which is now transparent from low density. This is my biggest pet hate as it means I can't have a fringe covering the hairline any ore:

 

[kirk]

If you have been consistent with finasteride/dutasteride, that's really all you can do at the moment. You have to be consistent thought and not just intermittent use.

I suggest you hit your hair with minoxidil at least once a day for a year and add Nizoral as well twice a week or so.

If your hair loss is too aggressive to respond to these treatments, you should start saving money for a transplant.

...also keep checking back here to see how the drug Setipiprant pans out.

- - - Updated - - -

Nice photo in Rome.. cherish these moments, you won't be smiling much in future pictures.

Called it. Smiles are gone. Sucks

 

[SayifDoit]

By using minoxidil inconsistently and not on a strict regimen of at least applying it once a day you really are going to **** up your hair cycles.
Keep on minoxidil, try to apply it twice a day( buddy you'll see a world of difference) and stay on dutasteride, if you are sides free and I'd imagine you should be good as gold.

That gyno is a worrying sign, it won't stop developing as well. You will literally develop man titties, so perhaps stop.

 

[TD500]

Keep on with the minoxidil alongside finasteride/dutasteride whatever your using, that might fill it in and may hold you out till either a better solutions or you save for a hair transplant.

Also you said
- Lots of my hairs are turning bright white - I literally have to pluck them out (sideburns mainly but some in other places)

Any pictures of this?

 

[g.i joey]

By using minoxidil inconsistently and not on a strict regimen of at least applying it once a day you really are going to **** up your hair cycles.
Keep on minoxidil, try to apply it twice a day( buddy you'll see a world of difference) and stay on dutasteride, if you are sides free and I'd imagine you should be good as gold.

That gyno is a worrying sign, it won't stop developing as well. You will literally develop man titties, so perhaps stop.

how do u know it wont stop developping?

 

[BiqqieSmalls]

Dude, from the pictures, it seems that your hairline is fine. Try to be consistent with 5% Minoxidil twice per day. I know its a bit of a commitment, but it'll be worth it.

You won't need a hair transplant. There are plenty of hairless treatments / cure in the pipeline that will be out by 2020 or before.

 

[knox777]

I think a concealer could really help you out for a while - until you think of a longer term solution.

 

[Aesthetic]

Nice photo in Rome.. cherish these moments, you won't be smiling much in future pictures.

**** off bro don't be so negative to him, he could be a good responder to treatments

 

[Mr White]

I never tried dutasteride. I have been taking finasteride for almost 20 years and I'm happy with the results. Make sure you're taking genuine brand drugs and not some generic.

Anxiety never helps, of course. Do a lot of research and reading on this subject; the more you know about hairloss, the less stressful it will be.

I think your hair looks great but if you're worried about it, a buzz cut never fails.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I have been taking finasteride for almost 20 years and I'm happy with the results.

Just in case you didn't read this the first time.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Some more examples of how I have just kept my hair flat below. I would LOVE to have spiked up hair without a fringe and an exposed hairline which is why I wonder whether a hair piece might be a saving grace, but I don't know if that's just wishful thinking.

View attachment 32259View attachment 32260View attachment 32261

Recent shot showing the gap in the middle front of my hairline which is now transparent from low density. This is my biggest pet hate as it means I can't have a fringe covering the hairline any ore:

View attachment 32262View attachment 32262

I have the same loss pattern as you and unfortunately you just have to accept that you have to style your hair flatter. I have to do the same as well. The good news is you don't look like you have any hair loss when you style it flatter. And just like you, my biggest pet peeve is that I can't spike my hair up in the front either and most of all my low density is exactly where your have it. Its the dreaded NW2A hair loss pattern. Only a hair transplant can give us both what we want. So far I settle for the flatter look. I get mine really textured so it won't look as flat. When I see these guys who have a wall of hair at the hairline, it makes me really jealous. I guess in your case, a partial frontal hair system might give you what you want but its going to be a lot of work to deal with all that glue and you will have to shave down the hairs at the front.

 

[M31]

Nice photo in Rome.. cherish these moments, you won't be smiling much in future pictures.

In some twisted way this is the funniest thing I've read in a long time.

 

[logikmtr]

I encourage you to keep using minoxidil regularly. On a side note, having a large forehead is probably a good thing if you are going to shave your head. Try a buzz. I think I look ridiculous with one, but some girl gave me eyes at the store the other day, so I don't even know anymore. Whatever happens, we feel you, brother.

 

[Simac]

Dnt listen to hellouser. Your hairs looking good. Keep on the dutasteride and maybe gofor diff hairstyle if u not happy. Ur far from point of no return

 

[Cro86]

your hairline isn't too bad, at least your crown isn't thinning like mine.....i am getting the friar tuck at the back, and real widows peak at the front. You should start taking zinc and some multivitamins, put some natural oils in your hair.

 

[MI92]

Not the worst I've seen, you look very youthful I must say, but going bald will definitely add a few years onto you.

 

[Bottlecap]

I should think Gyno surgery would be available on the NHS, just say it's causing you serious depression and anxiety.

I should think you'll get good results with dutasteride and minoxidil if you stick with it.

 

[Chris-lee09]

I feel your pain with the whole keeping the fringe down i do the same as i have a thinning hairline to,i would love to be able to spike the front up but it would look
Awful under light especially the sun!my hairs thin and wavy so its a struggle everyday it always looks rubbish,iv bein on minoxidil 5% for 3 and half years now think its starting to loose effectiveness,keep on the minoxidil it will help you out it did me at first just be consistent.