Topic: Oh I wish I had hair

[Jessica_K]

I was out with my wife and friends last weekend and as such I had to dress male (long story). A photo was taken of us all and it was shared around. I played with the photo, just adding hair and what a difference. I pass well when I am my usual self, wig, a bit of makeup, clothes etc, but did not realise how much of a difference hair makes. So... Oh I wish I had hair.

Here is part of that photo with hair added.



Jessica xxx

[Tess100]

The thinning and or complete loss of hair for us is a bummer.  I go through phases of looking at the bald patch on top of my head and feeling really anxious about the rest of myself.

[Lyric]

My hair has thinned considerably in recent times as well, but I don't waste time fretting about it. The Scarecrow wishes for a brain, the Tinman wants a heart and so on. Countless people of all genders deal with the loss of hair (and more important things) they desire and find ways to manage. Wigs and hairpieces are hardly ideal, but they also offer advantages. You do the best with what you have in life. I've very happy with everything I do have.

[Pammie]

My hair has thinned considerably in recent times as well, but I don't waste time fretting about it. The Scarecrow wishes for a brain, the Tinman wants a heart and so on. Countless people of all genders deal with the loss of hair (and more important things) they desire and find ways to manage. Wigs and hairpieces are hardly ideal, but they also offer advantages. You do the best with what you have in life. I've very happy with everything I do have.

Well said Lyric. That positive attitude is critical I think


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[barbie]

Recently I read a news article written by a doctor of my age who says he has successfully prevented his hair loss by shampooing twice for 2 minutes every day. As my scalp is also oily, I started to shampoo my hair at least once every day and quitted taking finasteride. I took finasteride for several years, but still am not sure of its effectiveness for hair loss.

barbie~~

[Celine]

Barbie, I've been on Finasteride for about 3-1/2 years for BPH and while I'm not convinced it has helped with scalp hair loss, it has unexpectedly helped in other areas. It dramatically helped reduce body hair and noticably softened my skin, even in the absense of HRT. That I never expected. It also helped greatly with the the BPH/urinary problems, but that's another issue...  I do still have quite a bit of my hair (at almost 72), but it has thinned somewhat toward the back/crown and temple areas and is much finer than it used to be. I haven't cut it in over a year and a half now and it's beginning to hit my shoulders.

I did start HRT (moderate dosage) 9 months ago, and even that doesn't seem to have helped with any restoration of hair in the thin areas (it has made nice improvements in other areas though ). Perhaps with more time; we'll see...  I've recently begun using conditioner only, no shampoo to avoid stripping the natural oils out. Many conditioners have mild cleansers as well as restorative components, and fair number of people use it alone. I like the changes to the hair texture so we'll see where it goes.

Celine

[Oldandcreaky]

My hair has thinned considerably in recent times as well, but I don't waste time fretting about it. The Scarecrow wishes for a brain, the Tinman wants a heart and so on. Countless people of all genders deal with the loss of hair (and more important things) they desire and find ways to manage. Wigs and hairpieces are hardly ideal, but they also offer advantages. You do the best with what you have in life. I've very happy with everything I do have.

I agree with Pammie that ^this^ is a useful attitude. My geometry teacher in high school wore wigs. How did I know they were wigs? Because everyday her hair was a different color, length, and style. She also changed her glasses everyday. It was a like an entirely different woman walked through the door each day. I don't know why she wore wigs, but her choosing to do so gave her pizzazz. She was fun and funny too. Maybe she was bald under all those wigs, but we didn't care and if she was, that isn't who she was; She was our crazy, fun, new-wig-everyday teacher.

[Chloe]

      One formulation, a spray solution. Am also looking for something "topical" that will work against "facial hair growth"?(THIS IS NOT THAT!) (reprinted from elsewhere)

• Minoxidil 8%
  Part of hair serums since rogaine, at 8% the minoxidil doesn't crystalize at room temperature.
  
• Azeleic acid 2%
  Azelaic acid stimulates catalase activation and promotes hair growth through upregulation of Gli1 and Gli2 mRNA and Shh protein
  
• Biotin 0.5%
  Carboxylase co-enzyme / Keratin synthesis.
  
• Dutasteride 0.2%
  Superior 5ARI to finasteride, hits both 5AR isoforms.
  
• Melatonin 1%
  Besides its hair strength benefits, it can help reverse or slow greying
  
• Tretinoin 0.01%
  Cellular turnover and vascular proliferation (reverses some of the negative effects of DHT). I particularly like it included in the serum for the benefits on people with "glassed" domes that are so hairless they are shiny. I've seen hair growth even there with it. I decreased the percentage so its better tolerated by all heads.
  
• Naltrexone 0.1%
  Immunomodulator, its useful for people undergoing chemo and for any autoimmune induced hair loss.
  
• Phenytoin 0.5%
  Same as the naltrexone, known for inducing hirsutism and hair overgrowth, it also reduces hair loss during chemotherapy and helps restore it.
  
• Latanoprost .00125%
  This is pretty self explanatory, the mechanism for this is lifted from "latisse" which is applied to the eyelids to grow eyelashes longer and stronger. This chemical is very heat sensitive, so store at room temperature only. I cut the percentage of this as it was astronomically expensive to source. I may release a "luxury" version of the serum with a higher latanoprost concentration in the future, but it really is just so pricy.
  
• Spironolactone 0.25%
  I knew I'd find a use for spironolactone eventually! Clascoterone is still far too expensive and bicalutamide did not play as nice as we had hoped topically and so spironolactone stepped up to the plate. It still is an excellent androgen receptor blocker and will work locally to do exactly that in the scalp. It also is well tolerated topically.
  
  The solution is a bit quirky. It has to be protected from uv light and heat. Over time, the spironolactone will release some of its sulfur which will build up at the top of the bottle. As a result, if you unscrew the spray bottle and smell the solution, it will smell like farts. However, the solution itself actually smells quite pleasant when sprayed onto skin. This reaction is basically unavoidable, but like I said, its not problematic as long as the bottle is kept sealed.
  

It comes as a 100ml of solution dispensed as a spray bottle.

[barbie]

I agree with Pammie that ^this^ is a useful attitude. My geometry teacher in high school wore wigs. How did I know they were wigs? Because everyday her hair was a different color, length, and style. She also changed her glasses everyday. It was a like an entirely different woman walked through the door each day. I don't know why she wore wigs, but her choosing to do so gave her pizzazz. She was fun and funny too. Maybe she was bald under all those wigs, but we didn't care and if she was, that isn't who she was; She was our crazy, fun, new-wig-everyday teacher.

Nowadays, I keep my hair short and wear various hair extensions if necessarily. Short hair is far easier to manage and is better for preventing hair loss.

     

barbie~~

[barbie]

I've recently begun using conditioner only, no shampoo to avoid stripping the natural oils out. Many conditioners have mild cleansers as well as restorative components, and fair number of people use it alone. I like the changes to the hair texture so we'll see where it goes.

Celine

Celine,

Thanks for sharing your experience of taking finasteride. I think the effects may vary individually. I noticed that finasteride decreases my libido. My father, at age late 80s, also keeps hair well without any grey hair, but I have some grey hair.

The doctor also recommended to rinse hair well for at least 2 min. after shampooing. About 10 years ago, a hair dresser also recommended me to wash my hair even twice per day because my scalp is very oily.

barbie~~

[Lyric]

I agree with Pammie that ^this^ is a useful attitude. My geometry teacher in high school wore wigs. How did I know they were wigs? Because everyday her hair was a different color, length, and style.

Wig wearing has a bit of a negative reputation for many because of those who, well, wear wigs that are ill-suited to them or that are obviously wigs. We don't make note of those who look good wearing wigs because we probably can't tell it's a wig. It isn't easy to choose and wear a wig properly, but when it's done it's quite effective. And the fact is, for many it's the only choice. I've seen women in their 20s who necessarily are full time wig wearers. Certainly, you want to try every solution possible to retain your own hair, but if you can't, there's no need to give up.

[NCmuse]

I am having a tough time posting pics, but I was 51 bald on the top of my head. Then I started using monoxcidil and finesteride. I grew a very thin coat of hair on my head, then I got hair transplants from the top of my neck. I receive compliments everyday now on how good my hair looks. People can't believe that I am 55 years old.  Though since I am still bald on my passport I get searched and questioned quite often at airports

[Rachel_Christina]

I do not genuinely believe having long hair will cause balding. Also the over washing hair is definitely not a good thing. Try to push washing hair to atleast 4 days appart.
If you can get it to a week without looking oily do that. The ability to do this will decrease with physical activity or outdoor activities too.

When I wash my hair I concentrate on how I wash it more than what I was it with.
I use a silicone sruby brush to massage my scalp. Takes away any dry skin and also really gets the blood flow going. This is the main killer for hair, wayning blood supply/oxygen.

I do understand the plight of having none. I had for a very long time a fear of it going pre transition. Even tying it up out of the way for work leaves me not feeling as confident when it's down.
Hair is my favourite feature, and helps me look as passable as I can

[SoCal_Holly]

Rachel_Christina:

A truly magnificent mane !

I was on finasteride for many years with no side effects. I “think” it prevented more hair loss but was way more effective in prostate management increasing flow issues. I was switched to bicalumatide (sp?) a month ago as it is more of a T suppressor and better at preventing hair loss. But I found it doesn’t seem to work as well for prostate flow issues. So I started taking finasteride again as well. Sure enough my flow issue went away. Definitely need to discuss this with Dr. V at my next appointment for estrogen pellet implant.

I’m on the fence about adding minoxidil. I think it works but it does take a long while to see results. I’ve heard the capilus laser cap works for reinvigorating hair growth.

I have some hairline receding with temple hair loss (I wish I could get fixed!) and could use some more hair density in the front. But other than that I do have very thick hair that is 6 inches below the shoulder.

I agree on 3-5 days between shampoo. I’m also very careful when brushing hair out and when drying.

[Allie Jayne]

I was lucky having hypogonadism for decades left me with decent hair at 68 y.o. and I see my hairdresser every 6 weeks. We are all different with oiliness, activities, hormone effects, age, and a few other factors, so I take directions from my hair professional because she has experience and knows what is best for my coloured hair. I keep mine semi long as it helps to hide my wide shoulders. There is always something we don't like...

hugs,

Allie

[Rakel]

...I’m on the fence about adding minoxidil. I think it works but it does take a long while to see results. I’ve heard the capilus laser cap works for reinvigorating hair growth....

Minoxidil is an extensively studied medication and the topical preparations are very effective in restoring hair growth to some degree. Maybe not as much hair as when you were much younger, but there will be some hair regrowth.

The capilus laser cap is not recognized as effective by the FDA. It was given clearance as not being harmful. The lasers used are low level light beams in the red and near infared wave lengths. Results may vary.

[Jane.Shannon]

My hair had receded, but I hadn't lost a ton,  It really bothered me as I was getting ready to go full time within the next year.  I had 2600 hair transplants from the back of my head to my forehead area.  While my hair is still a little thin around the traditional male balding locations; it doesn't look bad.  I wish it was a little lower, and thicker.

If anyone is considering hair transplants and ffs proceed with caution; if you do ffs too soon after hair transplants you could lose them.  I think doctors really recommend FFS first, or 3+ years after transplants. 

[Rakel]

...If anyone is considering hair transplants and ffs proceed with caution; if you do ffs too soon after hair transplants you could lose them.  I think doctors really recommend FFS first, or 3+ years after transplants.

I waited about 18 months after my FFS before I had my hair transplant. My results are quite good and I have not noticed any receding hairline.