What The f*** Happened To Me. I Need Some Advice.

[seanvandamme]

Hey guys, I really need informed opinions on my current predicament. I'm in a lot of confusion now because of a few factors. Let me share my story:


I began noticing my hair shed about 2.5 years ago when I started dieting and lost a huge amount of weight (20+ pounds). I'd notice many strands of hair on my hands whenever I try to wash gel out of my hair. This didn't bother me because the concept of hair loss didn't even exist for me back then (picture 1).


I continued my aggressive dieting (no carbs + intermittent fasting wtf) for several months straight and it got slightly more noticeable (picture 2) but noone would have considered me to be balding. I eventually stopped dieting when I'd hit my goal bodyweight and wasn't bothered by any hair loss for a while.


Months later, I signed up for a gym membership to finally push myself to 6 pack abs glory and I took up an aggressive cutting approach (1200 calories a day + Strength training every other day). This was when my hair started to get FUCKED UP (picture 3). My temple shedding was at its most aggressive during the 3 months of heavy gym and cutting. It scared the f*** out of me and I wondered why I didn't just stop to ponder how to stop it back then. Around the time I took that picture, I decided I was at a lean enough condition and decided to eat normally to see if anything would change.


I pushed calories up to 2500 for my bulk phase and wtf, my hair loss just magically stopped. No hair strands when I tugged at my bangs (whatever remained of it). When I was cutting, I could just tug at my bangs and a few strands would fall out for sure. It's been a year after I've halted my dieting and yeah. Still no progression of hair loss. Had a dermatologist check my DHT levels and it came back normal.


It's obvious that the way my hair loss has progressed is reflective of male pattern baldness, and I'm sure majority of the people here would peg me as suffering from male pattern baldness. I don't deny that, but don't people get telogen effluvium instead of receding hairlines when they get too aggressive in dieting?


In 2 years, I've went from a Norwood 0 to a Norwood 3A. This is extremely depressing. I just had a family gathering last week and noticed my maternal uncles all had juvenile hairlines at age 44 and above wtf. My dad and his younger brother are in their 60s and both suffer minor diffuse thinning. They both are pack-a-day smokers for 4 decades already, so could be why. No matter how I analyse it, my situation just logically doesn't make sense to me.


I keep my hair down (Picture 4) all the time now to mask my receded temples (Picture 5). The male pattern baldness hit my frontal tuft pretty hard as well but it hasn't thinned too close to baldness. I've been in this condition for a year and a half now, and refuse to wait any longer. Even medical tests can't tell me what the f*** happened, so I am really considering a hair transplant to restore my hairline. Has anyone went through a similar situation with regards to this peculiar manner of male pattern baldness, and with my current hair, do you think I'll be able to regain dense temples and good hairline?

Please don't tell me to get on finasteride or minoxidil. Minoxidil only has a chance to fatten up my frontal tuft and I'm definitely not taking finasteride when I haven't lost my hair for a year.

 

[Xyz23]

You dont have a lot of options mate.. Either you gotta take meds/get a hair transplant or get a hairsystem ..

or live with hairloss till you're bald

 

[Alphalete]

Get your bloodwork done. You might be deficient, If not, you're prone to male pattern baldness.

Also forgot to mention that hair transplant surgeons usually REQUIRE mandatory usage of finasteride for atleast 1 year in some cases.

 

[seanvandamme]

Get your bloodwork done. You might be deficient, If not, you're prone to male pattern baldness.

Also forgot to mention that hair transplant surgeons usually REQUIRE mandatory usage of finasteride for atleast 1 year in some cases.

But what's the point of me taking Finasteride when my hair hasn't shed for a year? Did bloodwork recently too and results came back fine.

 

[seanvandamme]

You dont have a lot of options mate.. Either you gotta take meds/get a hair transplant or get a hairsystem ..

or live with hairloss till you're bald

Honestly doubt I'll go bald. None of my living or dead relatives ever went past a Norwood 3. Guess a hair transplant is my only option now.

EDIT: Norwood 2. Just examined my father's hair gelled up (he's 62) and yeah. He has a better head of hair than me.

 

[seanvandamme]

Chanced upon this: http://www.hairestorationetwork.com/eve/134934-true-density-dr-hasson-1750-grafts-one-year.html

Hasson and Wong can transplant near to original density for hairline wtf. Should I consider?

 

[Alphalete]

But what's the point of me taking Finasteride when my hair hasn't shed for a year? Did bloodwork recently too and results came back fine.

Well, do you want to keep on shedding? Who knows, your hair might look like this for all eternity, but it is fairly obvious to the common Norwood Spotter that you have some sort of hair loss. Now, if you'd like to opt for a hair transplant and you're balding, keep in mind that surgeons want you to take meds for the most optimal results.

If you decline meds, your transplanted area will look the same and won't change, but what about the hairs behind it? Those will need to be kept alive by finasteride...

 

[Xyz23]

such a stubborn attitude you have my friend. you're already balding and just because your family didnt become bald you think you are "free"?


First you should get bloodwork done. but if everything is fine with your blood you should better accept your circumstances before its 2 late

i still hope the best for you

 

[Mushu]

I'd say you're a norwood 2A. I have similar pattern, but not as aggressive. Check your temples, do you still see little hairs that are weak? Finasteride can thicken those to where they seem like baby hair, possibly more. It did for me. My thinner hairs got a bit thicker and is growing longer, giving me the illusion of baby hairs, when it's actually miniaturized hairs of my old hairline. You may not get back to your old hairline thickness, but can improve it.

I also experience similar shed when my diet was bad while working out, but not as bad as yours. It's all anecdotal. Could be coincidence your male pattern baldness kick in and your crash diet didn't help(telogen effluvium). I know my temples were much balder and had some hairs grow back before I even started Finasteride. I did use Regenpure DR(which contains 1% ketoconazole), but Finasteride has strengthened it to where it seems like I have baby hairs(makes a big difference). Hope that helps.

 

[seanvandamme]

Well, do you want to keep on shedding? Who knows, your hair might look like this for all eternity, but it is fairly obvious to the common Norwood Spotter that you have some sort of hair loss. Now, if you'd like to opt for a hair transplant and you're balding, keep in mind that surgeons want you to take meds for the most optimal results.

If you decline meds, your transplanted area will look the same and won't change, but what about the hairs behind it? Those will need to be kept alive by finasteride...

What you said makes sense. Is it really wise to take a medication when the symptoms it treats are not present. I'd hopped on Finasteride anytime I notice further shedding, but this hasn't been the case for the past year. I know finasteride has some complications and side effects. Furthermore, my bloodwork came back fine, so wouldn't I be blunting my healthy DHT levels?

 

[seanvandamme]

such a stubborn attitude you have my friend. you're already balding and just because your family didnt become bald you think you are "free"?


First you should get bloodwork done. but if everything is fine with your blood you should better accept your circumstances before its 2 late

i still hope the best for you

I am simply questioning the need for taking a medication like Finasteride when the symptoms it treats are currently not present. I've mentioned that I had blood work done and they came back fine. I have not had any further recession or shedding anywhere on my scalp for the past 1 year.

Accept my circumstances? What does that entail?

 

[Alphalete]

What you said makes sense. Is it really wise to take a medication when the symptoms it treats are not present. I'd hopped on Finasteride anytime I notice further shedding, but this hasn't been the case for the past year. I know finasteride has some complications and side effects. Furthermore, my bloodwork came back fine, so wouldn't I be blunting my healthy DHT levels?

If I understand the balding process correctly, overall DHT levels do not matter. What matters is the amount of DHT that affects your scalp. I believe that for each year, an individuals DHT becomes stronger and stronger if you happen to be prone to male pattern baldness.

If you're at an appropriate age, I would recommend finasteride for you. But read about side effects, usage, etc before you do just to be safe. Gl

 

[seanvandamme]

I'd say you're a norwood 2A. I have similar pattern, but not as aggressive. Check your temples, do you still see little hairs that are weak? Finasteride can thicken those to where they seem like baby hair, possibly more. It did for me. My thinner hairs got a bit thicker and is growing longer, giving me the illusion of baby hairs, when it's actually miniaturized hairs of my old hairline. You may not get back to your old hairline thickness, but can improve it.

I also experience similar shed when my diet was bad while working out, but not as bad as yours. It's all anecdotal. Could be coincidence your male pattern baldness kick in and your crash diet didn't help(telogen effluvium). I know my temples were much balder and had some hairs grow back before I even started Finasteride. I did use Regenpure DR(which contains 1% ketoconazole), but Finasteride has strengthened it to where it seems like I have baby hairs(makes a big difference). Hope that helps.

Nice to meet someone who faces a similar situation. Yeah, I have lots of sparse tiny hairs on my temples. They're not vellus because they have pretty decent length but the area is too sparsely populated so it looks completely bald. Do you think those baby hairs would miniaturize if you were to go off finasteride?

 

[Mushu]

Nice to meet someone who faces a similar situation. Yeah, I have lots of sparse tiny hairs on my temples. They're not vellus because they have pretty decent length but the area is too sparsely populated so it looks completely bald. Do you think those baby hairs would miniaturize if you were to go off finasteride?

Can't say for sure, but I feel it would most likely thin further, but not aggressive. Like you I've been stable. I went on Finasteride for 2 reasons.

1. Any further thinning I can't even use cover up game.
2. I was curious how much of my thinning was hormone related and felt if it could strengthen my existing weaker hairs, I'd be content. I also contemplated a hair transplant, we are good candidates. However I'd be content if it doesn't thin further and my temples thickened a bit, which it appears to be. Even I decided to get a hair transplant, the hair clinic would most likely put me on Finasteride for a year.

I've been on Finasteride for 4 months approximately.

 

[seanvandamme]

If I understand the balding process correctly, overall DHT levels do not matter. What matters is the amount of DHT that affects your scalp. I believe that for each year, an individuals DHT becomes stronger and stronger if you happen to be prone to male pattern baldness.

If you're at an appropriate age, I would recommend finasteride for you. But read about side effects, usage, etc before you do just to be safe. Gl

My dermatologist did tell me that finasteride comes with a set of rather unpleasant side effects. She mainly suggested Minoxidil to fluff up my frontal tuft, and claimed that my temples had very little hope of salvation. She suggested finasteride only for the off chance that my hair loss progresses. This doesn't seem to be the case, so I think I'll sit on it until I notice any shedding start. finasteride is pretty pricey where I stay and the side effects are definitely not things I want to toy with.

 

[Alphalete]

My dermatologist did tell me that finasteride comes with a set of rather unpleasant side effects. She mainly suggested Minoxidil to fluff up my frontal tuft, and claimed that my temples had very little hope of salvation. She suggested finasteride only for the off chance that my hair loss progresses. This doesn't seem to be the case, so I think I'll sit on it until I notice any shedding start. finasteride is pretty pricey where I stay and the side effects are definitely not things I want to toy with.

Listening to a female when it comes to male pattern baldness? Wrong choice buddy. What your dermatologist should be recommending is Finasteride, because it STOPS the balding process. Minoxidil is only a growth stimulant. And yes, finasteride might come with side effects. It's up to you to take the risk or not. But staying on minoxidil will only delay your hairloss for a couple of years (maybe even less) before it starts going below baseline.

''Temples had little hope of salvation''. There are several cases of where men have regrown their hairlines (temples included) entirely. Tell her to send you the statistics proving that.

 

[seanvandamme]

Can't say for sure, but I feel it would most likely thin further, but not aggressive. Like you I've been stable. I went on Finasteride for 2 reasons.

1. Any further thinning I can't even use cover up game.
2. I was curious how much of my thinning was hormone related and felt if it could strengthen my existing weaker hairs, I'd be content. I also contemplated a hair transplant, we are good candidates. However I'd be content if it doesn't thin further and my temples thickened a bit, which it appears to be. Even I decided to get a hair transplant, the hair clinic would most likely put me on Finasteride for a year.

I've been on Finasteride for 4 months approximately.

So you would thin for sure if you weren't on finasteride? See, this is the issue. My shedding and thinning aren't present anymore. If it were, it would be so easy for me to hop on meds. The sides aren't encouraging at all too.

Have you enquired about a hair transplant? Is a Norwood 2A a good candidate for a dense filling of the temples?

 

[seanvandamme]

Listening to a female when it comes to male pattern baldness? Wrong choice buddy. What your dermatologist should be recommending is Finasteride, because it STOPS the balding process. Minoxidil is only a growth stimulant. And yes, finasteride might come with side effects. It's up to you to take the risk or not. But staying on minoxidil will only delay your hairloss for a couple of years (maybe even less) before it starts going below baseline.

''Temples had little hope of salvation''. There are several cases of where men have regrown their hairlines (temples included) entirely. Tell her to send you the statistics proving that.

I see where you're coming from but still think you should reexamine what you said. My dermatologist (https://aestheticsandhairclinic.com/dr-tyng-tan) is a trained cosmetic surgeon and has encountered enough cases of male pattern baldness to make informed claims. She recommended both finasteride and Minoxidil for me - the standard for first-line hair loss treatment. If you look at my temple areas, they are really almost completely bald. Do you have any evidence of empty temples growing back their density?

 

[Mushu]

My dermatologist did tell me that finasteride comes with a set of rather unpleasant side effects. She mainly suggested Minoxidil to fluff up my frontal tuft, and claimed that my temples had very little hope of salvation. She suggested finasteride only for the off chance that my hair loss progresses. This doesn't seem to be the case, so I think I'll sit on it until I notice any shedding start. finasteride is pretty pricey where I stay and the side effects are definitely not things I want to toy with.

So you would thin for sure if you weren't on finasteride? See, this is the issue. My shedding and thinning aren't present anymore. If it were, it would be so easy for me to hop on meds. The sides aren't encouraging at all too.

Have you enquired about a hair transplant? Is a Norwood 2A a good candidate for a dense filling of the temples?

You can never predict the future with hair loss 100%, but I feel like it would thin further just not aggressive. My dad pretty much had a full set of hair norwood 2ish at 60.

Finasteride was to help thicken it up. If I did not care about thickening the thinner hairs, I would not get on Finasteride as I also was not shedding/thinning aggressively. Just know that most here would get on Finasteride to be on the safe side. To them the possibility of a low chance of side effects is worth it. Whether or not that's worth it to you is for you to decide.

I myself haven't exeperienced major side effects.

I haven't consulted for Hair transplant, but yes class A are good candidates.

 

[Alphalete]

I see where you're coming from but still think you should reexamine what you said. My dermatologist (https://aestheticsandhairclinic.com/dr-tyng-tan) is a trained cosmetic surgeon and has encountered enough cases of male pattern baldness to make informed claims. She recommended both finasteride and Minoxidil for me - the standard for first-line hair loss treatment. If you look at my temple areas, they are really almost completely bald. Do you have any evidence of empty temples growing back their density?

I'll retract my statement, but the fact that meds regrow temples still stands. I, myself, experienced this.

https://www.gourmetstylewellness.com/intera...ma-possibly-finasteride-in-the-future.110774/

Somebody Alex is another member that has regrown his temples. Google him.

Have a look at the success stories, alot of members have grown out their temples.

I agree that temples are harder to recover but it isn't impossible.