Growing my hair out, hair thinning and HRT

[Kokoro]

I'd really like to start growing my hair out as soon as possible, since I've decided I want long hair like in my profile pic but this could take 2-3 years to get that long.

I intend to start HRT within a couple of months but have an issue - the hair on the crown of my head has thinned out a lot, but I'm not bald (yet). The longer I grow my hair the worse the thinning looks. I have heard that HRT can reverse hair thinning and sometimes balding if the hair has only disappeared within a couple of years of starting HRT. I'm 30 now and first started to notice the thinning around 25 or 26 years old. It has gotten worse since then but like I said, I've not got to the stage where I'm bald on any part of my head, just very thin (though you can easily see my pink scalp).

So my questions are:

Will HRT revert my extremely thinned out hair or is a transplant the only option? I know it's different for everyone but I'm looking for generalisations and personal experiences.

Should I start growing my hair out now, before I start HRT? It may look bad for several months but will the HRT kick in to and the thinner hairs just blend in naturally with my hair?

[Deborah]

It may or may not reverse the thinning.  Since you are not bald there yet there's a chance it will but it's not certain.  The only way to find out is see what happens on HRT.  You can also talk to your Dr. about prescribing the meds that regrow hair.  A biotin supplement may also help.


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[Jessica]

My hairdresser told me about a small area starting to thin on the very top of my head.  8 months later it has entirely grown back with no hint of thinning.
Happily the rest of my body hair is on the retreat!

[Lyric]

Yes, good luck with it and I hope the HRT does some good in the hair area. Women with some degree of hair thinning have long worn long hair with hairpieces called "toppers" that actually look quite good. While nothing's a great as having a full head of hair, if you don't, you manage as well as you can. We all have to deal with our own situation. My hair is thinning, but I wear it a good 18" long with a topper. You do what you have to.

[Allison S]

I have a M line hairline. I'll be 6 months on hrt next week and there's vellus hairs filling in now. These corners were bald prior to starting.

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[Kokoro]

Thanks for the responses! They fill me with hope!

Women with some degree of hair thinning have long worn long hair with hairpieces called "toppers" that actually look quite good. While nothing's a great as having a full head of hair, if you don't, you manage as well as you can. We all have to deal with our own situation. My hair is thinning, but I wear it a good 18" long with a topper. You do what you have to.

Wow Lyric, I never realised such a thing existed! I guess it is like a longer toupee. I shouldn't be surprised, some girls are renowned for having hair extensions. Thank you!

[Amie June]

Lyric, many many of us fret over hair - it's like a trans curse!! When I began gender therapy 6 months ago, I also stopped cutting my hair (it was super short). And after 6 months, I've become very attached to it. I love the feel of it, love to wash it and love how it's looking under hats. I also have thinning hair and some sparse areas, but figure I have nothing to lose. Hair growth takes time, so I would just let yours grow and grow and find a way to cope with it later. Good luck

Lindy

[Tess100]

My hair is thin to nonexistent on top front.  I too have started to let it grow out since starting HRT this month.  It is interesting to think about what to do with it.  I was looking at different pixie cuts this morning.  I really need to find a new stylist that can help me through the transition period from a buzz cut to something more interesting.

[Lyric]

Yes, this seems to be a less well known type of hair addition. "Extensions" get all the PR these days because people with plenty of hair use them for fashion to add volume or length. But a topper can be essential to a lady with thinning hair and many, many women (genetic and otherwise) have that.

Most toppers on the market are made to fit back on the scalp a bit so your natural front hairline shows. But there is a somewhat harder to find type of topper, sometimes called a "top-front piece" that extends from the crown forward and has a lace front (like a lace front wig). Oddly, such pieces often cost more than full wigs. I've never understood that. But do look into toppers if you have hair loss.

It can be a tricky deciding what type of hair replacement method you want to use. Some people manage with top pieces as long as possible. Others say to heck with it and go with a full wig. I have both and find they both have their uses.

[DawnOday]

I'd really like to start growing my hair out as soon as possible, since I've decided I want long hair like in my profile pic but this could take 2-3 years to get that long.

I intend to start HRT within a couple of months but have an issue - the hair on the crown of my head has thinned out a lot, but I'm not bald (yet). The longer I grow my hair the worse the thinning looks. I have heard that HRT can reverse hair thinning and sometimes balding if the hair has only disappeared within a couple of years of starting HRT. I'm 30 now and first started to notice the thinning around 25 or 26 years old. It has gotten worse since then but like I said, I've not got to the stage where I'm bald on any part of my head, just very thin (though you can easily see my pink scalp).

So my questions are:

Will HRT revert my extremely thinned out hair or is a transplant the only option? I know it's different for everyone but I'm looking for generalisations and personal experiences.

Should I start growing my hair out now, before I start HRT? It may look bad for several months but will the HRT kick in to and the thinner hairs just blend in naturally with my hair?

When I started HRT a year and a half ago, I began to grow my hair. It had been thinning due to medications I was on.  As you can see from my profile photo that it has come back in pretty good. I found some things I do to help. Hair, skin and Nails vitamins. Occasionally wash my hair with a rinse of apple cider vinegar to reduce the sebum in your scalp. Also castor oil on the bald spots will help revitalize hair. Progesterone is also known a Propecia which is used to regrow hair.