Current Events > I use finasteride for hair loss, ask me anything

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I make this thread once in awhile. I like doing it, because hair loss can fuck up your mental health and there's nothing wrong with trying to do something about it. And some people are probably afraid to come forward about it, so that's why I made this thread.

Honestly I think my hair looks great. But when I was 25 I noticed some tiny hair loss recession, and decided to jump on finasteride. Easier to prevent than to make up for lost time.

There's probably going to be a slew of people telling us to shave our heads. If you lose a tooth, do you stop brushing your teeth and get dentures? No. With that said there's nothing wrong with shaving your head.
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what would you do for a Klondike bar

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The Trent posted...

what would you do for a Klondike bar

Nothing, Klondike bars are overrated. They melt too fast and they're extremely messy. Eat an ice cream sandwich.
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okay well what would you do with a drunken sailor earl-eye in the morning

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I'm not gonna fight it. We all get old.
Got my top circle coming in real nice, should be smooth in about three years

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PoopPotato posted...

I'm not gonna fight it. We all get old.
Got my top circle coming in real nice, should be smooth in about three years

That's a good attitude to have. But age has very little to do with it. You can be 20 and be almost bald, or you can be 60 and have a full head of hair
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The Trent posted...

what would you do for a Klondike bar

You joke, but this just reminded me that I actually do have Klondike bars that I completely forgot about and I'm looking for something to eat, so thank you.

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What does it cost?

Do you do a lot of research picking one?

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Gamerguymass posted...

The Trent posted...

what would you do for a Klondike bar

You joke, but this just reminded me that I actually do have Klondike bars that I completely forgot about and I'm looking for something to eat, so thank you.

Are they the plain ones? I'm suddenly really into this now

Pinotage posted...

What does it cost?

Do you do a lot of research picking one?

I got my prescription for $12 a month. The finasteride requires a prescription, but I was easily able to get one from a dermatologist. Dude looked at my head, confirmed I have some reception and then shared the benefits of finasteride.

Yeah I did tons of research on it prior to taking it, and for the most part I know exactly how it works.
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How effective has it been?

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Doesn't it affect your manly hood?

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joe40001 posted...

How effective has it been?

I personally haven't noticed any regrowth. But to be honest, I think that's a good thing. Finasteride can regrow hair, but it's mainly meant for prevention. And I have a lot of hair already, so I'm perfectly fine with it halting any potential further loss.

There's also minoxidil, also known as rogaine. That is more meant for regrowth. However, I don't recommend minoxidil for long term maintenance until you know what finasteride does to your hair. Why use two products when you only need to use one?
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pojr posted...

Are they the plain ones? I'm suddenly really into this now

The ones with chocolate ice cream and brownie in them.

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FLAMING EVIL HOMER posted...

Doesn't it affect your manly hood?

Me personally, it has not.

Finasteride does have side effects, mainly sexual ones like a decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, shit like that. However according to my research, sensation of use will make the side effects go away, and sometimes dropping the dose from 1 mg to 0.5 mg might even help too.
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I'm 33 and my hair started thinning when I was 24. It really picked up when I was 29 but until this past year, I could at least pull off a comb over or look okay at certain angles. Not anymore.

I used to have super thick hair that I grew out to my mid back, so it was kind of hard coming to terms with that. I did and don't mind the look of shaving it. However, I have folliculitis pretty bad on the lower back of my scalp and it's so unsightly that I'd rather have this thinning up top on display than that crap.

I'm in limbo now. I thought about trying hair replacement treatments but I'd much rather get this folliculitis under control and just shave it. I'm hoping to get insurance soon so I can see a dermatologist because the home treatments and OTC shampoos aren't cutting it.


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TheLiarParadox posted...

I'm 33 and my hair started thinning when I was 24. It really picked up when I was 29 but until this past year, I could at least pull off a comb over or look okay at certain angles. Not anymore.

I used to have super thick hair that I grew out to my mid back, so it was kind of hard coming to terms with that. I did and don't mind the look of shaving it. However, I have folliculitis pretty bad on the lower back of my scalp and it's so unsightly that I'd rather have this thinning up top on display than that crap.

I'm in limbo now. I thought about trying hair replacement treatments but I'd much rather get this folliculitis under control and just shave it. I'm hoping to get insurance soon so I can see a dermatologist because the home treatments and OTC shampoos aren't cutting it.

I can understand where you're coming from. You spend the first part of your life with all that hair, and sometimes you don't expect it to go away.

What is your Norwood if you don't mind me asking? By Norwood I'm referring to this picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Partial_Norwood_scale_for_male_pattern_baldness.png

Depending on what Norwood you are, finasteride could make a difference. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only two FDA approved methods of treating hair loss, and they both work. A lot of the other bullshit shampoos like biotin are not going to do anything.
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pojr posted...

That's a good attitude to have. But age has very little to do with it. You can be 20 and be almost bald, or you can be 60 and have a full head of hair

Yeah my dad is 60 and still has all his hair but one of my childhood friends is a year younger than me and almost bald. I haven't lost any hair myself they always say I have a bunch of hair when I get it cut.

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pojr posted...

I can understand where you're coming from. You spend the first part of your life with all that hair, and sometimes you don't expect it to go away.

What is your Norwood if you don't mind me asking? By Norwood I'm referring to this picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Partial_Norwood_scale_for_male_pattern_baldness.png

Depending on what Norwood you are, finasteride could make a difference. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only two FDA approved methods of treating hair loss, and they both work. A lot of the other bullshit shampoos like biotin are not going to do anything.

Somewhere between VII and VA. My hairline is holding and is actually a fair bit thicker up front, like VII but the sides are more like VA.

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randy_123r posted...

I've been meaning to get an appointment with a doctor but haven't yet. I'm still using minoxidil.

I hear you. Definitely do it as soon as possible, you won't regret it. By taking finasteride, you will feel relieved that you're at least doing something. I know you're losing weight too, so that and hair loss prevention could be two great things.

TheLiarParadox posted...

pojr posted...

I can understand where you're coming from. You spend the first part of your life with all that hair, and sometimes you don't expect it to go away.

What is your Norwood if you don't mind me asking? By Norwood I'm referring to this picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Partial_Norwood_scale_for_male_pattern_baldness.png

Depending on what Norwood you are, finasteride could make a difference. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only two FDA approved methods of treating hair loss, and they both work. A lot of the other bullshit shampoos like biotin are not going to do anything.

Somewhere between VII and VA. My hairline is holding and is actually a fair bit thicker up front, like VII but the sides are more like VA.

Looks like you have some diffused thinning, which means your hair loss doesn't necessarily show a pattern. It's just all around thin in places. Hard to say what exactly finasteride would do, it can be unpredictable. Everyone is different. I see nothing wrong with seeing a dermatologist and getting your options. Here's a interesting question, have you considered a hair transplant? They are expensive but you can't put a price on good mental health
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Yeah I don't want to waste money/time or risk side-effects without knowing what, if anything, those kinds of treatments can do for me. There's no way I can afford a hair transplant. My main thing is to look into resolving the folliculitis then shaving it.

I'm pretty okay with not having that hair but I lost a bunch of weight and I'm having self-image issues from that. I'm mostly at peace with my hair being gone but there are times, just those random nights when bad thoughts get into my head and I'm like, damn, I wasted that badass head of hair on being a fat blob and now I'm on the way to having the body I've always wanted and I'll be fucking bald smbh.

But I get some sleep and wake up and I'm just like meh, I'll re-visit it if I win the lottery.

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Ive been on Finasteride+Minoxidil combo for 1.5 years now. My hair has never been this thick and full before, even when I was a teen. It also looks much healthier, so Ive definitely been very happy to get started on this treatment early (Im in my late 20s).

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I've contemplated asking after my losses

It doesn't seem to be progressive

Like

I lost a bunch when I had chemo a few years back. A decent amount grew back but there's definitely patches that just never recovered

So like there's that loss but if that's the case I don't think there's been any more since.

My only thing is that this loss was like three years ago. I don't know if any of these things would work on restoring my pre-chemo hair at this point. Gotta figure once it's been years there's no restoring it, right?

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When are you going to return to playing smash?

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You log on to GameFAQs and see "You have 2 new moderated messages." What is your immediate reaction?

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Doom_Art posted...

I've contemplated asking after my losses

It doesn't seem to be progressive

Like

I lost a bunch when I had chemo a few years back. A decent amount grew back but there's definitely patches that just never recovered

So like there's that loss but if that's the case I don't think there's been any more since.

My only thing is that this loss was like three years ago. I don't know if any of these things would work on restoring my pre-chemo hair at this point. Gotta figure once it's been years there's no restoring it, right?

Finasteride wont work for that. It only works for hormonal reasons of hair loss (male pattern baldness).

Minoxidil might help for those patches. Its worth a shot for a few months.

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$12 a month seems cheaper than Minoxidil. Though I suppose you can use both?

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AdrianBeterson posted...

Finasteride wont work for that. It only works for hormonal reasons of hair loss (male pattern baldness).

Minoxidil might help for those patches. Its worth a shot for a few months.

My only issue now is upon looking into it more, Minoxidil seems to be more for the back of the head or w.e., whereas my issue is mostly the hairline/top w a bit on the sides.

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Finasteride is often used in transgender feminizing hormone therapy because of its antiandrogen effects. Not a question, just something I know.

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pojr posted...

If you lose a tooth, do you stop brushing your teeth and get dentures? No.

yeah but do you use your hair to perform necessary everyday functions

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Joker98 posted...

Finasteride is often used in transgender feminizing hormone therapy because of its antiandrogen effects. Not a question, just something I know.

Its also used to treat enlarged prostates. Dosage matters, and the amount used for hair loss is minuscule compared to the amount used for BPH or sex transitions.

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Doom_Art posted...

My only issue now is upon looking into it more, Minoxidil seems to be more for the back of the head or w.e., whereas my issue is mostly the hairline/top w a bit on the sides.

I use it all over my head and it works everywhere. The labels only mention those areas because those locations are the only ones they tested. No reason for it to only work at one specific area of your scalp as opposed to another.

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AdrianBeterson posted...

I use it all over my head and it works everywhere. The labels only mention those areas because those locations are the only ones they tested. No reason for it to only work at one specific area of your scalp as opposed to another.

Hmmm well I'm permanently on heart meds rn, so I'll have to check with my doctor first but eh maybe I'll give it a shot

The only other downside is I'd like to ideally recover what I lost and then cut out the stuff, but my understanding is if I knock off the stuff it'll all just fall out again right?

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Honestly, good on you for being proactive as a lot of dudes, myself included, are not.

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This is what freaks me out about it.
I know not everyone will get those side effects, but even if you don't experience any changes in a year or two, it's bound to catch up at some point. It could still hit you in 10 years.

burns112233 posted...

This is what freaks me out about it. <img src=" <img src="" />" />
I know not everyone will get those side effects, but even if you don't experience any changes in a year or two, it's bound to catch up at some point. It could still hit you in 10 years.

Based on all the research I've done, I'm 99% sure that post finasteride syndrome does not exist. Those who claim they are suffering with post finasteride syndrome cannot conclusively prove that their feelings are happening because of finasteride. When the clinical studies were being done, not one person who experienced side effects continued to have those side effects after they stopped taking it. In my opinion, I think it's a placebo effect. You can easily trick yourself into thinking you have a side effect just because you're thinking that you will. How do you know you didn't experience that effect before taking finasteride, but you just didn't notice until now? I'm not a doctor, don't quote me on any of this. But based on my research I'm personally not worried about post finasteride syndrome.
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pojr posted...

hair loss can fuck up your mental health

just shave your head and grow a beard instead of making excuses about it

Kaiganeer posted...

pojr posted...

hair loss can fuck up your mental health

just shave your head and grow a beard instead of making excuses about it

Anyone who's thinking about treatment options, don't listen to this

It's your choice if you want to shoot your head or not. Not saying it isn't a viable option, but it's not the only option
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JTilly posted...

When are you going to return to playing smash?

Lol I could ask you the same question

Seriously though, I was a pretty lousy person in our little community. Always complaining about stuff, being salty when I lost tournaments. I don't think anyone wanted that.

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pojr posted...

That's a good attitude to have. But age has very little to do with it. You can be 20 and be almost bald, or you can be 60 and have a full head of hair

Yeah my dad is 60 and still has all his hair but one of my childhood friends is a year younger than me and almost bald. I haven't lost any hair myself they always say I have a bunch of hair when I get it cut.

I haven't seen pictures of you in a while, but I always remember you having good hair. That's some good luck, because from what I've heard based on my research, 90% of white males tend to lose some kind of hair. Don't quote me on the actual percentage though, might be a little less or a little more.
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hey can we circle back to that pirate question

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