Do any of these treatments work?

[Philw]

Yeah glad u are thinking before u jump in
When u see celebs on tv who had a transplant they have got lots of concealer in there hair such as fibres or scalp concealer which colours the scalp
Dr ball at maitland clinic wont give u any bullshit, he would reccomand other options before a hair transplant and he would help and advise u all the way
Most people i see and speak to aren't really happy with there transplant, they have basically gotten use to styling it a certain way to make it look half decent, including me
Im jealous of u cos u have not been cut yet and u have been on meds
Just take your time k

 

[Philw]

Ur gut must be telling u something
No rush

 

[SimBa]

Yeah glad u are thinking before u jump in
When u see celebs on tv who had a transplant they have got lots of concealer in there hair such as fibres or scalp concealer which colours the scalp
Dr ball at maitland clinic wont give u any bullshit, he would reccomand other options before a hair transplant and he would help and advise u all the way
Most people i see and speak to aren't really happy with there transplant, they have basically gotten use to styling it a certain way to make it look half decent, including me
Im jealous of u cos u have not been cut yet and u have been on meds
Just take your time k

Yeah great point about celebs, as we don't get to see them close up. It's a shame you're not happy with results, especially when you say you didn't have bad loss. I've taken Finasteride and got bad sides so went off it for a while. The whole Finasteride saga put a bad taste in my mouth with the medical community and hair loss. When Merck first got the license they reported 2% or less get sides, which is a total crock and were later found to have been misleading. I would wager all people get sides, even ones who aren't aware of them, which could be ball pain, lower libido, softer hard on's, whatever, it has an impact at some level.

I saw a YouTube of a barber, Mahesh from BeardBrand, talking about his balding head, which he calls his 'solar panel for a sex machine' which kind of highlighted for me the dilemma many have. To be a semi sexual functioning guy hanging on to his waning hair or perhaps a more sexually functioning guy going with his chroming dome.

 

[Philw]

Im just tired of chasing for something im never gonna get
Regards ro finesteride i totally agree with
They will be getting sides but they wont believe they are cos there head is so fixated on thinking there hair will all grow back while on meds
Its a difficult one aint it ?

 

[SimBa]

Im just tired of chasing for something im never gonna get
Regards ro finesteride i totally agree with
They will be getting sides but they wont believe they are cos there head is so fixated on thinking there hair will all grow back while on meds
Its a difficult one aint it ?

It is. Ultimately I would say us guys with hair loss are trying to feel how we felt when we had more hair, which ironically we likely didn't care that much about when we had it, taking it for granted as we all do until it goes. I'm playing around with my appearance with facial hair, clothing style and if I can get to feeling confident without an HT then all good. If I suspect HT is the way forward I will go with this option.

Seems like most have more than 1 procedure and I would need to factor in being a little disappointed with density

 

[Bobbins]

It is. Ultimately I would say us guys with hair loss are trying to feel how we felt when we had more hair, which ironically we likely didn't care that much about when we had it, taking it for granted as we all do until it goes. I'm playing around with my appearance with facial hair, clothing style and if I can get to feeling confident without an HT then all good. If I suspect HT is the way forward I will go with this option.

Seems like most have more than 1 procedure and I would need to factor in being a little disappointed with density

I’m not so sure. Finasteride reduces DHT.

The way I see it, everyone has a natural level, and that varies between different people.

I’m assuming everyone has a minimal level, below which sexual desire and performance will drop.

The question is, will the dosage of the drug you take result in a reduction of DHT above that level and below the level that can be tolerated by DHT vulnerable follicles?

In summary, I don’t think everyone is suffering from sexual side effects but some undoubtedly will.

In terms of density, it’s difficult to achieve a highly dense hairline for patients that suffer from advanced hair loss, especially if you don’t have favourable hair characteristics.

It’s largely down to personal expectations. The challenge is that your expectations change - if you see a result close to the density you dreamed of, you’ll adjust your expectations upwards. I see weaknesses in my hairline that others can’t see, and that could lead me to a second surgery where I perhaps shouldn’t have.

Hair surgery is an illusion, and it’s easy to forget that and get hair greed where you simply cannot be satisfied.

 

[SimBa]

In summary, I don’t think everyone is suffering from sexual side effects but some undoubtedly will

Not only sexual side effects but some side effects. It does seem like a 'Big Pharma' job. I also wonder about treating hair loss with a 'medicine' as arguably losing head hair isn't a disease.

 

[Bobbins]

Not only sexual side effects but some side effects. It does seem like a 'Big Pharma' job. I also wonder about treating hair loss with a 'medicine' as arguably losing head hair isn't a disease.

I’m not sure what a big pharma job is.

Medicines go through a stringent protocols for ensuring efficacy and safety.

It’s entirely up to you though - take whatever you’re comfortable taking, weighing the risk and benefits.

 

[SimBa]

I’m not sure what a big pharma job is.

Medicines go through a stringent protocols for ensuring efficacy and safety.

It’s entirely up to you though - take whatever you’re comfortable taking, weighing the risk and benefits.

Yes, I will and I know medicines go through various steps before release but as I wrote it isn't certain hair loss is a disease

 

[Bobbins]

Yes, I will and I know medicines go through various steps before release but as I wrote it isn't certain hair loss is a disease

I’m not sure if that’s too important - the process of FDA approval is the same regardless.

If the point you were making is whether your hair loss is something you believe should be treated (since it’s not a disease), then that’s truly only something you can decide

 

[Salazar]

A while back I was quite sure I would go for an HT but I'm not so sure.

I'm the same. When I first noticed that my hair was thinning, I was impatient to have surgery, but -- for reasons that I won't go into -- this never happened, and I was left disappointed for a long time afterwards. However, I now think it was probably for the best, as my expectations at the time were totally unrealistic.

The whole Finasteride saga put a bad taste in my mouth with the medical community and hair loss.

I'm sorry that it didn't work for you. I've been fortunate so far -- touch wood -- in that I haven't noticed any side effects (perhaps it helps that I deliberately avoided reading what the side effects might be.) However, I don't want to argue with anyone. I only wished to add my own (very limited) personal experience.

 

[SimBa]

I'm sorry that it didn't work for you. I've been fortunate so far -- touch wood -- in that I haven't noticed any side effects (perhaps it helps that I deliberately avoided reading what the side effects might be.) However, I don't want to argue with anyone. I only wished to add my own (very limited) personal experience.

It sounds like you've been around hair loss for a while and all experience is valid I would say; if you've been on Finasteride for 8 years then this more than qualifies you for an opinion on it.

The problem with oral medication is that it's a cross roads question, in that we never know what would happen if we opt for another choice. If we take it then this doesn't guarantee halting further loss due to 70% DHT suppression, so our hair will continue to be lost albeit at a potentially slower rate, and then hair loss happens so slowly we can't really monitor if our hair loss rate has simply slowed because the rate does fluctuate or whether the medication has worked. I've no axe to grind with people taking it, good luck to them, one of the issues with it I have is the hope and expectations it raises and the possibly greater health issues it poses, which contradicts the Hippocratic oath of 'first do no harm'.

 

[SimBa]

I’m not sure what a big pharma job is.

 

[Salazar]

we never know what would happen if we opt for another choice

Given how you feel about both surgery and the medical routes, what do you have in mind when you say another choice?

 

[mia8wilson]

Hope it work wait for the results.

 

[raajiyer]

Does anything other than finasteride, minoxidil, or surgery actually work?

Here's a short list of additional treatments that I've seen recommended by various people:

Saw palmetto;
Oil (rosemary, peppermint, coconut, castor, etc.);
Microneedling / dermarolling / collagen induction therapy;
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT);
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections;
Hair supplements (Nutrafol, Tricoextra, etc.);
Scalp massages;
Shampoo (GroMD, Watermans, Alpecin, etc.)

Has anyone had any luck with of any of these or are they all a waste of time?

Great question! While finasteride, minoxidil, and hair transplant surgery are the most widely recognized treatments for hair loss, there are several other options that many people have explored with varying levels of success. Here’s a breakdown of the alternatives you mentioned:

• Saw Palmetto: This herbal supplement is thought to block DHT, the hormone linked to hair loss. While research is limited, some users report positive results, though it’s not as widely proven as finasteride.
• Essential Oils: Oils like rosemary, peppermint, coconut, and castor are often praised for promoting hair health. Rosemary oil, in particular, has shown some promise in studies for improving hair growth. While results may vary, many people find them helpful when used regularly.
• Microneedling / Dermarolling: This technique involves using a roller with tiny needles to create micro-injuries on the scalp, which is said to stimulate collagen production and hair regrowth. Some studies suggest it can be effective when combined with minoxidil, but more research is needed.
• Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Devices like laser combs or helmets are designed to stimulate hair follicles with low-level light. While not a miracle solution, there is some evidence that LLLT can promote hair growth in certain individuals.
• Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: PRP therapy involves drawing your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it into the scalp. Many people have reported improvement in hair thickness, though the treatment can be costly and results vary.
• Hair Supplements (e.g., Nutrafol, Tricoextra): Supplements with ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, and other vitamins and minerals can support hair health, though they are typically more effective for those with deficiencies. They may promote overall hair health, but they don't work as quickly or dramatically as prescription treatments.
• Scalp Massages: While not a miracle cure, scalp massages may improve blood flow to the hair follicles, which can help promote healthy hair growth. It’s a low-cost option worth trying.
• Shampoo (e.g., GroMD, Watermans, Alpecin): Some shampoos designed to promote hair growth contain ingredients like ketoconazole, biotin, and caffeine. These products may not reverse significant hair loss, but they can contribute to healthier-looking hair and possibly slow down further thinning.

As for whether any of these treatments are a waste of time, it really depends on the individual. Some people find success with these alternatives, particularly when combined with proven treatments like minoxidil or finasteride. However, none of them are as clinically proven or as effective as these more traditional options. If you're exploring additional men's hair growth products, it's worth considering what works best for your specific hair type and causes of hair loss.

Ultimately, while these treatments may not work as quickly or dramatically as finasteride or minoxidil, many people find that using a combination of them helps improve the overall health and appearance of their hair.

Hope this helps!

 

[sakalauskaitekristina07]

Other treatments like microneedling, PRP injections, LLLT, and certain oils (e.g., rosemary or peppermint) have shown promise for some people, particularly when combined with other treatments like minoxidil. Hair supplements like Nutrafol and scalp massages can support hair health, but results vary. While these alternatives may help with hair thickness or reduce shedding, they typically aren't as effective as finasteride or minoxidil for regrowing hair. It’s worth experimenting, but results take time and consistency.