I mean, I don't want anything too crazy and I can hide it a little but my receding hairline makes me miserable, I don't think anything else is more dysphoric. I didn't even notice it until a few months ago when I was growing out my bangs.

The first thing many hair consultants do is to put you on minoxidil, propecia or both. Or avodart.

Have you tried any of those?

As a complete cynic I have doubts about products that are supposed to promote hair growth. As a scientist I just don't believe them

BUT

When I went on HRT my hairdresser told me to use  REDKEN Intraforce shampoo and conditioner as the only shampoo and conditioner and to use sparingly. As it cost an arm and a leg using sparingly is quite easy.
I have had the original for 6 months and wash my hair three times a week with it.

Wet the hair, shampoo about a half inch and smear through, rinse repeat, rinse then conditioner. again a small amount.

Rinse.

My central bald spot has gone and my receding hair line has just about gone. I get a professional hair treatment about every 6 weeks for colouring styling etc.

They have been amazed and I'm totally delighted. My hair is thicker, covers better and is no longer receding.

I'm very very happy. The shampoo and conditioner cost me about $100 Aus. which is ridiculous I'm sure you can get it for half of that in the USA. But Aus has massive mark ups for USA cosmetics etc.

I suggest giving it a try, nothing to lose and cheaper than a hair transplant.

I'm not sure if you are getting your hair professionally styled, that has really helped as well as they really do know what they are doing and they are designing my hair style with me to suit me.

I also used shampoo (Oilatum, 1 year) which helped quite a bit. When I stared HRT (6months) the hair on top really started to grow back. I've been using  monoxydil liquid for about three months.

The hair has improved to better than it has been for twenty years.

Bald spot has gone, I've had to cut my fringe for the first time in ten years (it wouldn't grow and was very insubstantial) and the hairline has come forward at least .5".

I also have some small hairs which I thought were blackheads at first a good inch forward of my hairline). The fringe is much thicker and I can now cover my awful forehead.

I'm not sure which one has actually made the difference as it's a slow process. I suspect it was the HRT, but I'm keeping up the monoxydil until my hair is finished changing. Then I'll try cutting out the  monoxydil and see if it's needed.

Its really depends on how much hair do you need. Rough cost maybe $5-10K.
Yes they do grow.

Quote from: bev2 on January 03, 2013, 04:34:00 AM
The first thing many hair consultants do is to put you on minoxidil, propecia or both. Or avodart.

Have you tried any of those?

that only stoped mine where it receeded to

The Redken Intraforce is good stuff as is Nioxin. You'll know 30 days after use if it will work for you since it stimulates growth in dying hair follicles but it won't do anything for a follicle that is already dead. You really only need the shampoo. So, for Nioxin (which is what the salon I work for sells) that's about $20/bottle for smaller bottles (but you shouldn't need much esp. if you just focus on the areas that are thinning)... unfortunately, though you can get it for cheaper outside of salons/on the internet it's not guaranteed by the company and it isn't uncommon for some people to dumpster dive at salons and fill empty bottles with ->-bleeped-<- shampoo and resell. So, I wouldn't trust it unless it is purchased direct from the company or in a salon.

As for transplants, yes, they do grow. But I'd try the Nioxin or Intraforce first.