Do any of these treatments work?

[Salazar]

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?

 

[loui]

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?

They could work yes, or make a positive impact.

Personally I would just recommend a easy regimen you can keep up longterm.

 

[Salazar]

Personally I would just recommend a easy regimen you can keep up longterm

At present, I only take finasteride.

They could work yes, or make a positive impact.

I've tried various shampoos, rosemary oil, and dermarolling, but I've yet to find something that works. I was thinking of trying saw palmetto next. If that fails, then I might buy either a laser comb or helmet.

 

[Bobbins]

At present, I only take finasteride.


I've tried various shampoos, rosemary oil, and dermarolling, but I've yet to find something that works. I was thinking of trying saw palmetto next. If that fails, then I might buy either a laser comb or helmet.

When you say ‘works’, what do you mean by that? I assume regrowing and/or thickening miniaturised hair?

 

[Philw]

The easiest and best treatment is meds
Ie finesteride 1mg
Take 1 everyday, if u get side effects take tablet 3 times a week
Monoxidil is pain in the arse applying to scalp daily and u get fed up using it
Same as the rest
Regards to hair transplants they do work depending on skill of dr, u wont get the density u want however how many transplants u have, so u need to be aware of that
So best thing to do go on meds for 1 yr see how u get on, that way u will get ur hairloss stable and in top shape then see a surgeon who will reccomand a transplant or not

 

[Salazar]

When you say ‘works’, what do you mean by that? I assume regrowing and/or thickening miniaturised hair?

Sorry, I should have been more precise. Yes, that's exactly what I meant: regrow/strengthen miniaturised hairs.

 

[NZK Medical]

There have been three FDA-approved treatments for hair loss, minoxidil 5% topical lotion solution used twice daily was the first many years ago. Then finasteride 1mg tablet taken once a day and later a laser therapy with a specific calibration and number of diodes. I believe used every other day. All, probably to a varying degree, but certainly to a much greater extent than anything else available. Have explicitly been tested for use as a hair loss treatment. Even though, results will still vary from person to person. Also, no specific result can be promised. There is a chance still that one or all have no positive benefit.

Other treatments start to fall into, categories such as maybe they should work as they have certain natural properties in them. For instance, saw palmetto. But being supplements there is little in the way of extensive testing to prove whether they are viable. That said you can read anecdotal evidence on this and other platforms for the pros and cons. There are then products more like shampoos that probably fall under the category if you like the way they make your hair feel use them.

As above, the definition of works is very subjective. Even harder to define on a person-by-person basis. From slowing down the hair loss cycle to stabilising the hair growth pattern. To improve the hair growth cycle to encourage more dormant hairs to be apparent on the scalp again at any given time. Along with encouraging stronger hair growth.

If starting from the top working down would be the sensible approach. Taking into consideration any health concerns or personal concerns regarding taking a treatment. Use them correctly. Maybe starting at staggered intervals to try and measure any changes. Give at least 12 months and take pictures during this time, same lighting, hair styling etc. To try and gauge an honest result.

 

[Salazar]

So best thing to do go on meds for 1 yr see how u get on, that way u will get ur hairloss stable and in top shape then see a surgeon who will reccomand a transplant or not

I've been on finasteride for about 8 years: no regrowth, but I think my hair loss would have gotten a lot worse without it, so I really should be more thankful.

Surgery is still a last resort for me, as what you gain at the front, you pay for at the back (with scarring).

 

[Salazar]

Even though, results will still vary from person to person. Also, no specific result can be promised. There is a chance still that one or all have no positive benefit.

That's the trouble: you never know whether it's all futile, or if the right treatment is the next one that you've yet to try. Of course, everybody is in the same boat.

 

[NZK Medical]

That's the trouble: you never know whether it's all futile, or if the right treatment is the next one that you've yet to try. Of course, everybody is in the same boat.

There are very few absolutes in life. With hair loss though, if it is active the probability it will continue is large. As a result, doing nothing dictates the outcome. Starting treatment increases the % chance of gaining a positive result.

 

[Philw]

Yeah u have most proberly kept the hair u had cos of meds
Scarring at the back from surgery yeah u will get
I had 2 strip scars fut told it would only be pencil thin, it never is, my scars are really bad
Ive also had fue and i can tell u that when i cut short to even a number 1 guard u cannot see scars at all

 

[Salazar]

I had 2 strip scars fut told it would only be pencil thin, it never is, my scars are really bad

Sorry to hear that.

Ive also had fue and i can tell u that when i cut short to even a number 1 guard u cannot see scars at all

That's more encouraging.

 

[Bobbins]

Sorry to hear that.


That's more encouraging.

It depends on many things - whether you’re prone to scarring, your skin tone, the size of the punch used etc.

Most people can get away with shaving to 1.5/2 but most if not all can not hide it when shaved entirely.

If you’re hoping to have a high skin fade from 0, I don’t think you’d be able to guarantee it wouldn’t be visible, and maybe even noticable to the untrained eye.

 

[Philw]

Just dont rush into it
Research research
But fue deffo way 2 go

 

[Salazar]

If you’re hoping to have a high skin fade from 0, I don’t think you’d be able to guarantee it wouldn’t be visible

The shortest I would like to go is a No. 1 (3mm). In all likelihood, I would wear my hair longer than this -- either a No. 3 or 4 -- but I like to plan for all contingencies: the surgery might not work or my hair loss might continue to progress -- for these reasons, I'd still like the option of being able to go as low as a No. 1.

It depends on many things - whether you’re prone to scarring, your skin tone, the size of the punch used etc.

My skin tone is olive, so this might pose a problem.

 

[Philw]

U should be ok
No 1 guard at back no problem u wont see anything
If u shave ur top hair no 1 u will see a difference and also the angle of hair might not lay flat to ur scalp like ur own hair, its how they implant the transplant

 

[SimBa]

I had 2 strip scars fut told it would only be pencil thin, it never is, my scars are really bad

Sorry to read that Phil, you seem quite exasperated about it. Do you feel that you have had a lot of somewhat misleading advice pre op then ?

 

[SimBa]

The shortest I would like to go is a No. 1 (3mm). In all likelihood, I would wear my hair longer than this -- either a No. 3 or 4 -- but I like to plan for all contingencies: the surgery might not work or my hair loss might continue to progress -- for these reasons, I'd still like the option of being able to go as low as a No. 1.

Hi mate - similar consideration to me. Your hair loss WILL continue, I would plan on this, it's a case of how far you think it will get. You can base this on how much time has elapsed and what stage you're at.

I plan on buzzing it to see if I like this look first for scar reasons you mention

 

[Philw]

I have 3 hair transplants all fut strip
Had small fue as well
All i had was a small receding hairline
All the transplants i had all grow upwards and wasnt happy with density after 3 transplants
Most clinics tell u what u want to hear to get u in the chair
There is only a few clinics in uk i reccomand to see and have a chat
Maitland clinic uk dr ball
Not sure where u are based
We could do with pics to see what we reccomand

 

[SimBa]

I have 3 hair transplants all fut strip
Had small fue as well
All i had was a small receding hairline
All the transplants i had all grow upwards and wasnt happy with density after 3 transplants
Most clinics tell u what u want to hear to get u in the chair
There is only a few clinics in uk i reccomand to see and have a chat
Maitland clinic uk dr ball
Not sure where u are based
We could do with pics to see what we reccomand

Mmm I hear you. A while back I was quite sure I would go for an HT but I'm not so sure. It seems like many, perhaps most, who do don't get the density they would like, so it seems a healthy dose of tempered expectation is needed, along with honest Dr's. I live in the UK.