Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So i have some mild hair loss and I'm only 21. What kind of procedures should I get to fix up my hair and what results did you gals get?

Depends on where you are losing it.

Minoxidil works for vortex thinning.

OK - the following assumes that you are not using any anti-androgens already because you only posted two sentences. Not a lot to go on.... :D

I have been using minoxidil for about a year now and have hair on spots that have been clear for 10 years. Not brilliant hair but enough to be easily seen and to fill the blank with some colour. Recently I have started using finasteride as well because I have been told that the two work better together than either alone. I get Proscar tablets and chop them into four to get the equivalent dose to propecia. It is a LOT cheaper this way because

Proscar is propecia, just at a higher dose
Proscar is for prostate = unpopular = low price
Propecia is for hair loss = very popular = high price

I bought a months supply of Proscar for £14 ( = $20-ish) and quartering each pill gives me a four month supply. Propecia for the same period would cost me about £70 ($120).

Some warnings about Finasteride.

1. Keep it away from women especially pregnant ones. Even minute doses are dangerous
2. Do not donate blood for 6 months after you stop Finasteride
3. It may give you classic migraines (flashy lights). I found it did this if I drank too much coffee
4. It is something of an anti-androgen because it supresses DHT. You may get boob growth.
5. If you are trying to start a family, stay off finasteride
6. It can turn your one-eyed trouser snake into Mr Limpy.

I have only started using it so it is too soon to see any result. Both Minoxidil and Finasteride will cause some hair to fall out in the first few months. This is normal and is scary and many people panic and stop at that point. The hair falling out is cause by newer hair starting a growth cycle and pushing older, resting hair out. You have to use them for a minimum of four months to see if there are any effects and many people say one year.

The down side to both is that if you stop using them then the hair that the treated can drop out. Unless you have your testicles removed first...

Dutasteride is another one that gets favourable reviews. Once you find yourself a year or so down the road it may be worth considering a transplant... This would be better considered once or if you're having srs or orchi. If your keeping your T factory then a transplant mightn't be the best idea If! at a later date you came off, off the AA your hair loss may well resume leaving any transplanted hair behind on it's own and looking rather strange as it's not a typical balding pattern. Obviously this could then be removed with electro but what a chore... The hair that's transplanted wont shed in the normal way because the nature of the follicles will be different from the other follicles in this area (I'm guessing your more concerned about the front [male pattern area])

Good luck with whatever route you take and remember the quicker you start the more you'll keep. It's well worth considering as soon as you think "I may want to transition" along with electrolysis which is another one to start ASAP...

I went to Thailand for a transplant

http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Consult-a-Physician/doctors.asp?DrID=502#page=page-1 (http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/Consult-a-Physician/doctors.asp?DrID=502#page=page-1)

This guy (Damkerng) is well rated and pretty well known, I'm very happy with the treatment I received and he was recommended to me by someone else who was also very happy. The food is fantastic in Bangkok, I put on 7 pounds in a few days  ;D My grafted areas have excellent coverage, I think I had around 3 thousand grafts and a number of dishes from the hotel menu that there was no translation for, I was never disappointed  :P

Quote from: bev2 on November 08, 2012, 03:30:34 AM
uld cost me about £70 ($120).

Some warnings about Finasteride.

1. Keep it away from women especially pregnant ones. Even minute doses are dangerous
2. Do not donate blood for 6 months after you stop Finasteride
3. It may give you classic migraines (flashy lights). I found it did this if I drank too much coffee
4. It is something of an anti-androgen because it supresses DHT. You may get boob growth.
5. If you are trying to start a family, stay off finasteride
6. It can turn your one-eyed trouser snake into Mr Limpy.

1. Specially if the pill cover breaks. It is absorbed through skin
2. 1 Month, I think. 6 months would be for Dutasteride
3. Still nothing here
4. I wish. Nothing that I did not have before (maybe AA mobs gotten from the gym?)
5. Reading the economy pages on the newspaper works even better as an anticonceptive, at least for me.
6. I wish it would happen. Not even the testicular pain. In fact, the body may try to overcompensate and cause hypeandrogenty in a few rare cases.


I will be two months on Dutas in 7 days. The area next to my temples where the thinning was getting worse is starting to fill with tiny almost transparent hairs, and the shedding seems to be stopping. If this continues, there is hope I may regain volume on my top. I'm so desperate that sometimes it makes me want to self medicate with a real anti androgen. Even if I can revert the thinned / miniaturized areas, I'd still need hair transplants for the temples.

The minoxidil did nothing for two years, but it looks like I was not using it properly. The rule goes as "Minoxidil for regrowth, Finasteride for follicle strenghtening and restoration". If the hair is still being attacked by DHT, Minoxidil won't be able to do a lot.

Quote from: bev2 on November 08, 2012, 03:30:34 AM
Recently I have started using finasteride as well because I have been told that the two work better together than either alone. I get Proscar tablets and chop them into four to get the equivalent dose to propecia. It is a LOT cheaper this way because

This Proscar thing has got me thinking seriously about adding it to my daily regimen.   I want to talk to my Endo about it, and about adding Prolactin to improve breasts, but is Proscar compatible with Spiro, Prolactin, and E injections ?

I ill-advisedly did heavy self medication for many years with several over-the-counter drugs to create hormone imbalances, and I did regrow a little bit of hair.  I easily could have killed myself from this drug use, however at least part of a widows peak came back.  The very thin hair is still quite sparse (formerly Nordic blond - now gray).  I've been thinking of transplants but don't want to damage my scalp, so I need to look into alternatives.

Kathy

Quote from: kathy b on November 08, 2012, 08:34:03 AM
This Proscar thing has got me thinking seriously about adding it to my daily regimen.   I want to talk to my Endo about it, and about adding Prolactin to improve breasts, but is Proscar compatible with Spiro, Prolactin, and E injections ?

Your endo is the best person to ask. I think it all depends on what the anti-androgen you are using is. Many act in different ways like decapeptyl drops the amount of T in the body which drops the DHT as well.

Thanks everyone. I've been leaning for propecia to fix it up since its only slight thinning, sometimes its a bit obvious and sometimes can't really tell. What kind of results do people have from it and i read that it can also be used as an anti-androgen.

Quote from: JuliaVB on November 08, 2012, 10:03:34 AM
Thanks everyone. I've been leaning for propecia to fix it up since its only slight thinning, sometimes its a bit obvious and sometimes can't really tell. What kind of results do people have from it

It is too early for me to tell. It takes a few months, but I know people (MtFs) who used it with very good results.

Quote from: JuliaVB on November 08, 2012, 10:03:34 AMand i read that it can also be used as an anti-androgen.

Not really. What happens is that it stop testosterone from being converted into the far more powerful form DiHydroTestosterone (DHT) and thus reduces androngenic effects. Also if your body considers the unconverted T as being at too high a level it converts the T to oestrogen via a reaction called the Aromtase reaction so Finasteride can possibly boost oestrogen levels.

If you start taking Finasteride, understand that you will probably shed about 10% of your hair about 2-3 months in. But you wont be able to see if it's working for about a year after you start taking it.

i read that it starts taking effect around a few months into usng finesteride. Does HRT, estrogens, help fix thinning hair, i dont look bald but its visibly thinner but none too bad.

Yes, increases in estrogen are going to increase hair density on the scalp. This is why pregnant women have LOT of hair during pregnancy (and it is pretty common for them to shed a bunch of it after... postpartum alopecia). I had a fairly full head of hair pre-hrt, now I have TONS of hair.

I've been using minoxidil for 9 months and finasteride for 4 as part of my HRT regimen.  I'm in my 50s, bald/thin on top.  I have about 40% regrowth at this point.  Enough that I'm letting my hair grow experimentally to see how much coverage I now have.  (I kept it buzzed in the past because I can't stand the hair on the sides, nothing on top look.). So far it's enough for a huge improvement on the crown.  Very much less so toward the front.  I expect it will take another year to see maximum results.

At 21 you should have complete restoration and then some.

With the expense of propecia looks like ill have to wait until i start my hrt and see how that will effect hair growth. With only slight thinning but mostly up front I'm desperately hoping that the estrogens will reverse this thinning!

If you get a prescription for it, Walmart offers a prescription for Finasteride (generic propecia) for around $10 for 30 qty, low dose pills.

Don't have a wallmart near me so i'm going to have to wait to start the hormones

Walgreen's has a similar program.  Check with your local pharmacies.   Or ask your doctor.  They generally know where you can get your script cheaper.

Dr. Robert Niedbalski (and certain other doctors I am less familiar with) have begun using a new hair restoration therapy. No, it won't completely fix everything but every little bit helps. I'll quote Dr. Niedbalski here:


ACell MatriStem (ACell for short) is an advanced treatment for the genetic hair loss. When injected into the scalp, ACell activates stem cells present in the scalp tissues, which in turn, direct the duplication of hair follicles and other scalp tissues while decreasing scar formation. It can be used in conjunction with Follicular Unit Hair Transplant surgery or as a stand-alone procedure.

Now as I understand it, this is still no miracle cure. However, individuals who have some hair on the head may be able to use ACell treatments to increase existing hair density so as to make a hair transplant look even better in the long run.

My current plan, which called for allowing Propecia, Minoxidil, and HRT to work together for at least two years is going to get changed. Once my divorce is finalized sometime next year (after the sale of the house), I will go see Dr. Niedbalski as soon as possible after that. His website quotes prices up to $3300 for a full scalp treatment which is what I will pursue. I personally have very thin hair in the top center of the head, very deep widow's peaks in front, and a "friar tuck" large bald spot in back so my male pattern baldness is extensive.

Under Propecia and Minoxidil I have seen remarkable regrowth in the center of the scalp over just 6+ months of treatment. However the back and frontal bald areas have no hair follicles left at all apparently so there's been no regrowth there. What I hope to achieve is to get some growth in those bald areas and hopefully close to normal density in the center area. If I can do that, then a hair transplant would return me to almost normal hairlines and I could give up wearing wigs. Again, I am not expecting these treatments to totally cure my male pattern baldness problems. What I am hoping for is that they can alleviate them sufficiently that a hair transplant then becomes a realistic possibility.

From Doctor Niedbalski's web site: ACell + PRP Injection Therapy: What our patients want to know. (http://hairreplacementsurgeon.com/acellprp_injectio/)

Personally, I am excited by these prospects as this is also very early results. As time goes on, they may be able to make even more headway with this therapy.

I know Target also has Finasteride for $9/mo

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on November 08, 2012, 05:08:29 PM
If you start taking Finasteride, understand that you will probably shed about 10% of your hair about 2-3 months in. But you wont be able to see if it's working for about a year after you start taking it.

Mine started after the first month, and it is still going on. Lately It's just a matter of touching my hair and  two or three strands will come out every time. It looked like it was finally stopping, but here it is, again at full power. It's terrifying. Yeah, I already have new hairs, but they still keep shedding. It adds a lot of mental strain.

Quote from: Apple Seed on November 21, 2012, 06:17:39 AM
Mine started after the first month, and it is still going one. Today I just touch my hair and two or three strands come out every time. It looked like it was finally stopping, but... It's terrifying. Yeah, I already have new hairs, but they still keep shedding. It adds a lot of mental strain.

Oh I know... but all the hair forums I've seen say "That's how you know it's working!" ... I just trusted them. It did eventually stop at around the 4 month mark or so I think. I did start going through a shedding period recently but that may have been stress. It's since stopped, but I don't worry about it too much now because I have LOTS of hair... in fact I need to get a hair cut this week... gonna thin it out and make it a lil choppier, and redo my red streaks :)

I was on Minoxidil for about a year before I started Propecia a couple of months ago. I have not noticed any additional shedding and I am hoping that there will be none as the Minoxidil will already have forced the weaker hairs back into growth.

I guess I will know better in 6 months

Already decided to get on blockers along with the estrogens in 6 weeks so i can really start growing my hair. tempted to get my head shaved coz id much rather be a bald natalie portman chick than a balding one

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on November 21, 2012, 08:50:00 AM
Oh I know... but all the hair forums I've seen say "That's how you know it's working!" ... I just trusted them. It did eventually stop at around the 4 month mark or so I think. I did start going through a shedding period recently but that may have been stress. It's since stopped, but I don't worry about it too much now because I have LOTS of hair... in fact I need to get a hair cut this week... gonna thin it out and make it a lil choppier, and redo my red streaks :)

Pfff, I don't think I will survive such a shedding stage. Yesterday I had a bout of maximum anxiety / depression to the point of nausea and almost vomiting and getting back to suicidal ideations, and when I arrived at home and tried to comb my hair, everything started to fall more than ever.

Quote from: Apple Seed on November 22, 2012, 06:51:05 AM

Pfff, I don't think I will survive such a shedding stage. Yesterday I had a bout of maximum anxiety / depression to the point of nausea and almost vomiting and getting back to suicidal ideations, and when I arrived at home and tried to comb my hair, everything started to fall more than ever.

Just remember, a full head of hair is about 90-110 thousand strands. Losing 20 or 30 in a comb out is a lot ... but relatively, not much at all.. Plus you never know what part of the head the hair is falling out. It could be on the sides, where the follicles are programmed to ALWAYS produce hair. I know when I stress out, the hair loss is concentrated below the parietal ridge (below the crown on all sides of the head). That's where I'd lose lots of my hair in that initial shedding stage, too. Every time I ran my hand through the back of my head, at least 1, sometimes 2 strands would show in my hand.

Also, my sides have thinned out quite a bit since starting HRT, but everything where MPB is experienced has gained density. It's not like I even had a problem to begin with, but HRT has made my scalp grow lots more hair.

Ufff, now this is some real shedding. The pillow covered in hairs, every time I comb it...


I might jump to spiro sooner than I think, or other things. I can't wait anymore.

Now im taking finesteride every other day till i start hormones in 5 weeks, hopefully it will workout within a few months!

Does taking spiro also help with restoring hair

Quote from: JuliaVB on December 02, 2012, 07:16:32 PM
Does taking spiro also help with restoring hair

If the loss is caused by MPB, it should at least stop or slow the lose. Some people have tried in hair loss forums, but the side effects (desired effects here) were a bit too much to bear.

Quote from: JuliaVB on December 02, 2012, 07:16:32 PM
Does taking spiro also help with restoring hair

It did for me. I have had significant hair regrowth on Spiro or it was estrogen,  or the combination of both. Basically I was a Norwood scale I or II before HRT; after I started on HRT (1.5 years ago) the corners have filled back in up to my natural hair line. Much of the hair is still relatively short compared to the rest of my hair. It will probably take a few years to grow out.  Now the hair on the corners are not as dense as I would like it but I hope new growth will continue over the next few years making those areas as dense as the rest of my hair. Makes me regret not starting earlier as before 30 I had a full head of thick hair.


However, I have talked to many others that did not get those kind of results.  So as with everything hormone related ymmv.

Quote from: Apple Seed on December 03, 2012, 01:44:08 AM
Some people have tried in hair loss forums, but the side effects (desired effects here) were a bit too much to bear.

Lucky us.....

;D

I posted about this article before and couldn't find anything new on it.  Anyone else see something new? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/business/baldness-battle-fought-in-the-follicle.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/business/baldness-battle-fought-in-the-follicle.html)

Quote from: Sadie on December 03, 2012, 08:21:50 AM
It did for me. I have had significant hair regrowth on Spiro or it was estrogen,  or the combination of both. Basically I was a Norwood scale I or II before HRT; after I started on HRT (1.5 years ago) the corners have filled back in up to my natural hair line. Much of the hair is still relatively short compared to the rest of my hair. It will probably take a few years to grow out.  Now the hair on the corners are not as dense as I would like it but I hope new growth will continue over the next few years making those areas as dense as the rest of my hair. Makes me regret not starting earlier as before 30 I had a full head of thick hair.


However, I have talked to many others that did not get those kind of results.  So as with everything hormone related ymmv.

Im the same as when you started, type 1 baldness, thinning up front.my biggest hope is that when on hormones itll reverse the hairloss and thicken it to. I don't want to have to go through surgery to fix my hair. Being type 1 baldness and the thinning starting to show it's my biggest hope that it can and will get fixed, hopefully by summertime results can be in!

I just started on finasteride today. Hopefully it stops the bleeding until I can start HRT. And besides depression, I hope the common side effects hit me!

I started Propecia on the weekend and have already noticed far less shedding already. Is this normal? I have a white desk at work so it has been very noticeable to me. Anyway I feel so much better about everything at the moment. Saw the side effects. What a shame...I'm sure I could cope with them all. We should all be so lucky?

J

As of today, I have been on Finasteride 6 complete months.  I'm not sure because I didn't take baseline photos, but I think my hair has thickened up some.  Still got a long way to go, but they say it takes up to two years to see maximum results. I also haven't started on blockers or estrogen yet, so I'm hoping that'll give me a boost.  Thinking of switching over to dutatseride once I start HRT.  Heard its loads better. Anyway, just thought I'd add to the mix!

Quote from: Jenny07 on December 04, 2012, 01:55:12 AM
I started Propecia on the weekend and have already noticed far less shedding already. Is this normal? I have a white desk at work so it has been very noticeable to me. Anyway I feel so much better about everything at the moment. Saw the side effects. What a shame...I'm sure I could cope with them all. We should all be so lucky?

J

I've thinking something like that for the last three months. Oh, I can see ne hairs. Oh, my shedding is reducing already.


One month later... Wow, this is some nasty shedding

Two months later... Looks like shedding is reducing...

Almost three months later... This is the worst shedding ever, my head looks worse than when I started.


So now i am on the big three (Dutas + minoxidil + keto), and soon I'll probably jump to anti androgens, and possibly estrogen. I can't wait more and lose what I have left.

Quote from: Apple Seed on December 04, 2012, 07:39:00 AM
I've thinking something like that for the last three months. Oh, I can see ne hairs. Oh, my shedding is reducing already.


One month later... Wow, this is some nasty shedding

Two months later... Looks like shedding is reducing...

Almost three months later... This is the worst shedding ever, my head looks worse than when I started.


So now i am on the big three (Dutas + minoxidil + keto), and soon I'll probably jump to anti androgens, and possibly estrogen. I can't wait more and lose what I have left.

How did you switch from Finasteride to dutasteride?  Did you take both for a bit to transition from one to the other or did you just stop fin and start dutas?

I took dutasteride directly. It is not even allowed as a treatment in my country. The dermathologist was going to put me on finasteride immediately, but asked me to get blood checks through social security and visit him again to get the prescription. Time between the two visits was six months. Waiting too much was not an option, so I had to play the self medication card. I was far too desperate about my transition and losing what little I had.


Now I have another issue: My order of dutas for three months has been lost and they need to send it again... And they did that on 01/12/2012 (I had ordered it on 03/11/2012). So I only have pills left for eight days., and this will probably not arrive on time. I have a small stash of finasteride for one month, but I'm afraid moving from one to the other may cause some shedding. I'm more inclined to take the pill only once every two days until they arrive rather than mixing two drugs.




I also hoped I would get side effects from dutas, but... Nothing.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on November 08, 2012, 05:08:29 PM
If you start taking Finasteride, understand that you will probably shed about 10% of your hair about 2-3 months in. But you wont be able to see if it's working for about a year after you start taking it.

I agree with her about this. I had patches of hair on my back as I got older (YUCKKK!!!) and hairy all over. I do NOT have any hair on my back at ALL, I have very thin hair on my chest that you can't really see unless you are half a foot away from me, no hair on my legs and thighs. My area "down there" is much thinner. Libido can be affected, but it's welcomed. I can honestly say it's grown thicker hair on top for me. Just make sure you are doing things right and chat with your Doc about things before you start using it.

Quote from: Stephanie.Izann on December 04, 2012, 02:30:33 PM
I agree with her about this. I had patches of hair on my back as I got older (YUCKKK!!!) and hairy all over. I do NOT have any hair on my back at ALL, I have very thin hair on my chest that you can't really see unless you are half a foot away from me, no hair on my legs and thighs. My area "down there" is much thinner. Libido can be affected, but it's welcomed. I can honestly say it's grown thicker hair on top for me. Just make sure you are doing things right and chat with your Doc about things before you start using it.

I'm actually on it for just a month so I can stop the hairloss. To keep it saved till I start hormones in a month Im only taking the pills four times a week. Hoping that the estrogens and my anti-androgen will start to make my hair grow back, It feels like a horror story to start seeing yourself balding when you look in the mirror. Fortunately now that my hair is a bit longer it looks thicker and it hides my balding well enough. Hopefully Ill really get a full head of hair by summer time!

Quote from: JuliaVB on November 07, 2012, 06:29:18 PM
So i have some mild hair loss and I'm only 21. What kind of procedures should I get to fix up my hair and what results did you gals get?

If you are serious about your hair I would be on Finisteride/Propecia and I would be using a thin layer of Retin A on the area where you want hair, followed by dabbing on Minoxidil on that same area, at least once a day.  I would also use a lotion with Alpha Hydroxy Acid to exfoliate if dryness or flaking occur, prior to showering.

You can also use a laser comb or brush that has rounded blunt bristles to stimulate the follicles. 

Another option that works well is to pre-wet your scalp with organic Apple Cider Vinegar and let soak (with shower cap and towel around shoulders) for fifteen minutes prior to showering.  Also there are shampoos with peppermint oil in them that will help to stimulate your scalp while shampooing.  Massaging the scalp during shampooing is good therapy.  The vinegar pre-soak will clean out your pores and exfoliate which will promote hair growth.

Taking vitamin E every day (400iu) is like getting a 24 hour scalp massage and is highly recommended.

Also if you are concerned about having healthy hair a good food-based multi vitamin, Biotin and a D3 caplet (1000mcg) is recommended.  Folic Acid is supposed to help too.

Which is better, fin or dutas? I am 5 on the baldness scale..
Any hope for me?

@Abby
In your avatar you look like you have a full head of hair...

Quote from: NotThereYet on January 13, 2013, 01:47:25 AM
Which is better, fin or dutas? I am 5 on the baldness scale..
Any hope for me?

Dutasteride is stronger. It depends on how fast you get on it since your hair loss. If the DHT had enough time to choke the follicles, the strands will not come back.

so far the drugs im taking seem to be making my hair grow in faster and hopefully real soon, in a couple months ill start seeing hair regrowth :D

Quote from: NotThereYet on January 13, 2013, 01:47:25 AM
Which is better, fin or dutas? I am 5 on the baldness scale..
Any hope for me?

@Abby
In your avatar you look like you have a full head of hair...

Unfortunately, that's just a wig.  Apparently, it's a pretty decent one? :) 

Can you get dutas in the US?

After less than four months on Spiro, Estradiol, Progesterone and Finasteride, my hair is coming in strong.

I am just worried about the entirely bald spots, the ones that form the so called widow's peak.

I would like to avoid minoxidil because it is such a hassle... Anything work, like the laser comb or something?

Thank y'all, you girls are a great source of info.
I would love to have my own hair like many of y'all one day...

Andrea

I believe I've read somewhere that the corners are the least likely to come back. I had minor corner loss and while a bit of it has come back, not all of it has after 1.5 years on Finasteride.

I got a bunch of little hairs around my temples and stuff and in those corners a bit after just a month on finasteride. Not that I had crazy loss.

Hopefully they will continue with the current trend they seem to be in...

i ve been almost 2 months on finasteride and a few weeks on minoxidil and so far the only thing ive noticed was that my hairs growing faster. I'm hoping that it does fix my receding hairline!

Thanks for the check in

I'm very interested in this, I have some slight thinning around the temples. Probably going to talk to my endo at our next appointment.