HRT - the best way to regrow hair on the scalp?

[Lucy Ross]

Looking for info on MTFs regrowing hair I came across this study by a specialist, who thinks our hormone regimen has it over all other approaches for dealing with thinning/receding/MPB: Trans Hormone Replacement Therapy Hair Regrowth: The Science  Naturally he wonders what's going on, and whether its advantages can be put to work for the cis population. 

This page shows up at the top for Google Image searches for 'MTF hair regrowth' and the like.  His theories are well documented, and there are many interesting comments as well.

[Roll]

I think you may have posted the wrong link (or I'm blind), I just see an article about breast cancer.

[JulieOnHerWay]

I found this.  Interesting article.
https://perfecthairhealth.com/trans-hormone-replacement-therapy-hair-regrowth/

[Lucy Ross]

Woops, total brainfart there, Julie found the link I had in mind.

[zirconia]

The author seems to suggest that the size of bones in the male skull causes extra scalp tension that in turn causes dihydrotestosterone to accumulate in the areas affected, eventually resulting in fibrosis and male pattern baldness. He seems to also suggest that estrogen causes the bones to become smaller and e.g. the brow bossing to decrease, and to also cause the muscles in the scalp to lose strength, resulting in loosening of the tension, which results in increased blood flow and significant regrowth.

To be honest, if I read the article correctly I feel a bit leery about the premise. It would be rather wonderful if taking estrogen would cause the skull to become smaller and more feminine... but has anyone seen this happen?

If anyone else has read the article and has a different interpretation of its meaning I'd be interested in hearing it.

[Colleen_definitely]

I will vigorously wave the "nope" flag on the bone structural changes.  (Also I'm curious if that lady gave permission for her photos to be used on this site?)

Many trans people show hair growth changes in time frames that couldn't possibly be tied to bone changes.  The postmenopausal women example given is after many years of HRT, not several months. 

The musculature change being tied to the tension issue is far more believable. 

[Roll]

I agree with Colleen 100%. Bone thing is definitely just wrong. The muscle change however is an interesting theory.

[Megan.]

I'd be another doubter on the skull/bone theory...

I've done or am doing Finasteride, Minoxidil, castor oil, FUE hair transplants and now MTF HRT including both Estrogen and Testosterone blockers.

I'm not medically trained but I've spent a lot of time reading about hair loss. The most promising 'cure', will be the mass cloning of hair folicles for transplant back into the donor, but this is still only in the lab and years away from practical and affordable application.

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[Katie V]

The most promising 'cure', will be the mass cloning of hair folicles for transplant back into the donor, but this is still only in the lab and years away from practical and affordable application.

Wow, if they can make that affordable, that's going to be a goldmine. 

[Colleen_definitely]

Oh that's not how you get rich...

"If you can convince insurance companies to pay exorbitant prices for it, it'll be goldmine!"


I'm only about half kidding

[Lucy Ross]

I neglected to mention his theories on bones, which I wish hadn't been brought up, every source I've read states emphatically that the skeletal structure is unchanged - how could it be?  Unless you develop osteoporosis from lack of E + T.  It's unfortunate because of all the detail and insight on other aspects of hair growth.

I think the photos are from imgur, probably held under creative commons licensing.  She was taking hair replacement meds before starting her transition, too, not that they seemed to be doing much at that point. 

[Roll]

Regardless of the bone thing, this does make me hopeful for more growth now starting HRT! (I've suddenly had a lot of growth/darkening on the crown, and I more or less have no outright bald spots now, just thinned. Still know I will need transplants, but every bit is a significant cost reduction. )