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Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

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Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#31
Mahabhringraj oil blocks testosterone activity in your hair follicles. Also lots of other good stuff. Extremely effective when used as directed (e.g. in evenings or night and washed out of hair within 12 hours of use. Most effective when a micro needle derma roller (.2mm-.3mm needle) is used afterwards for increased absorption.

Infrared laser diode caps stimulate cell activity (both growth and graying--use with lots of antioxidants and pause if graying begins to increase)

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#32
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wasn't proposing to eat unhealthily (not recommended for anyone). My intention is to drive home the fact that unless you're severely malnourished, have alopecia, or are taking chemo drugs, hair loss is most likely genetic and not something "fixable" with current technology. The hair cling drugs come with serious side effects.

In addition to the link I provided I would also suggest reading up on Dr. Fahy's research on the Thymus. [1] And yes I would stay far far away from any hair related drugs. I would add that genetics are not a fixed thing. Most genetic traits can be altered through epigenetics by changing environmental inputs. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KukRAXnNOJM

I've been taking thymus hormones most days for seven years. Confirm it reduced hair loss.

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#33
The best thing you can do is just get over it. As somebody who's tried almost everything that seems like it has a chance, it's a genetic problem. It's aggravated by stress and other conditions.

The only "solutions" you consider are wearing a hair system (toupee of real hair), drugs (finasteride, minoxidyl, plus hair transplant if you want), or a care-free attitude. I personally go through phases of caring and not. Life's just better when I don't worry about it.

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#34

The best thing you can do is just get over it. As somebody who's tried almost everything that seems like it has a chance, it's a genetic problem. It's aggravated by stress and other conditions. The only "solutions" you consider are wearing a hair system (toupee of real hair), drugs (finasteride, minoxidyl, plus hair transplant if you want), or a care-free attitude. I personally go through phases of caring and not. Li…

Also I want to add, I personally think that understanding baldness and "curing" baldness is one of the biggest solvable problems we have as humans today. It can't be that hard to stop the process of hair loss, scientifically. Or at least growing hair in the lab and transplanting it onto the head, which I'm sure most people would be willing to do once every 10 years for a hefty fee. I know I would, if anybody knows anything please let me know!

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#36
I tried Rogaine (minoxidil) and it didn’t work for me. I thought about trying oral finasteride, but I read that a small percentage of people experience sexual dysfunction as a side-effect, which didn’t seem worth the risk to me.

But I did some more research and found some early studies on PubMed that suggest that topical finasteride works just as well without the negative side effects.

The only company I could find selling topical finasteride is from ForHims. I’ve been using the spray for about 3 months and my hair is definitely thicker now, but it hasn’t helped with my hairline yet.

I’m not a doctor, so you should definitely do your own research or better yet, talk to a doctor. I don’t work for Hims, but I’ve just been impressed by their products. Definitely cheaper than hair transplant surgery.

https://www.forhims.com/hair-loss/topical-finasteride

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#37

I never understood why people are so terrified of losing their hair, like they have a choice or a say in the matter. Your body is going to do what it was programmed by your dna to do, no matter how uncomfortable with being bald. Just own it and put your focus into something besides your own appearance. Yes I’m likely going to lose my hair too in the near future. Who cares?

This. I do emphathize with the OP. Its natural to feel a little scared in the beginning stages, but after awhile you just slowly accept it, and move on with the rest of your life. Life is too short to worry about things you dont control. Plus, nobody really cares about it more than you, trust me.

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#38

Runs in the family for me. My hair stylist told me that many men don’t brush their hair enough and large parts of their head aren’t stimulated enough which makes the roots weak which can exaggerate the issue. I started brushing every day after that. She also told me that tea tree shampoos are beneficial to the issue, so I now use those exclusively, but couldn’t say if it’s working. She also mentioned the more heavy h…

I hate to break it to you but your hair stylist more than likely hasn't followed the scientific process to determine whether what she says is true. If it was that easy everybody would do it. Anecdotally, I personally have brushed my hair a few times (tried everything except the drugs) and the hair just all fell out even more.

Who cares if the scientific method was involved if it a) makes this guy feel better or b) happens to work for him? It’s not like rubbing a potato on a tumor and hoping it goes away. The worst that can happen here is he goes bald anyway.

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#39
Bald person here.. I've been waiting for this question since I was 19; when I started to lose my hair.

When I was 14, my mom pulled back my hair line and asked my dysfunctional father if I was going bald. Talk about a "What the fuck are you doing" moment.

At 17, I was getting depressed about being bald. I would look in the mirror trying to see how much it changed. At 21, I said fuck it. I'm a sexy beast, see me shine!

I went through phases during my hair loss.

1. Keeping my hair wet to hide the fact it's thinning 2. Trimming it down, combing it forward and swirling the back so make it look "tight" 3. Trimming it very low and looking like a boss 4. Shaving it down to the skin and having people ask me why I don't grow my hair out

Here's how I coped with it. I was honest with myself.

Sure I would like to have hair, but I'm not Elon Musk. Did it impact my success with women? Yes, I think I get more women being bald. Why? I don't know honestly. Am I built like Jason Statham? More like a lean James Corden.

To make my situation, I'm a hairy man; pale (programmer) and I have a belly. I'm also seriously hairy... The only places I don't have hair is on my head, forehead, and palms; ironic right? Not on my palms? Wait until this shit turns gray... I'm going to look like a fucking Yeti.

Find your true source of confidence. It's not your hair, income, or job. It's the confidence you have in your ability to change.

I know you like having hair, but it's not what defines you. Plus, you're over 40 and thinning out. Congrats you lucky bastard :)

I hope you mentally get past your fears and concerns. Be honest with yourself buddy.

Re: Ask HN: Coping with Hair Loss

#40

I personally would give nutrition a try for a year or two before turning to drugs. [1] I believe that prescriptions should be a last resort when all else has been tried and failed. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/c/DrEricBergDC/search?query=alopecia

As someone who lives with someone dealing with hair loss I understand OP's feelings. I also agree that giving nutrition, sleep and getting your body in shape a try. The whole prescription thing might work but if the hair loss you're experiencing is nutrition/sleep/stress/etc related it may be easier/cheaper to take care of the source of the problem.
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