Boondock
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 13
...I've come to some very basic conclusions.
I wish I had realized these when I started out, because it would have saved me endless hours of agonizing stress and trial-and-error.
These are my Big 10 Conclusions. This is pretty much all I needed to know when I started out.
1. If you want to fight hair loss, your primary option should be finasteride. Dutasteride is a viable alternative for some. In addition to these, Minoxidil, nizoral, and general common-sense (e.g. not smoking 20-a-day) will help. That's pretty much it.
2. The other treatment options fall into two broad categories. Either they do not work to any real extent, as is the case for (among other treatments):
- dietary changes
- herbs
- lasers
- shampoos
- spironolactone
- zix
3. Or, secondly, they offer uncertain benefits at major cost and/or hassle, as is the case, for example, with:
- RU
- Proxiphen
4. Do not believe any anecdotal evidence from the web. If you see a small group of people claiming they've noticed a difference from topical green tea, curcumin, pouring urine onto their scalp, or whatever, ignore this. It's not that they're lying; it's just that they're deluding themselves. Do not fall into the trap of thinking: "hey, if he had success on that, I might as well give it a go." It's a merry-go-round and a complete waste of time and energy.
5. If you think you're getting side effects from treatments, and you've given them a good run, just stop them. Nobody who gets sides from finasteride does better on dutasteride, or miraculously feels fine on 0.5mg rather than 1mg. If you're someone getting side effects and you're not comfortable with it, taking these drugs is just not for you. Give treatments a good run, don't obsess, but don't play the redosing every-other-day game.
6. Hair transplants can make a huge difference, but only if you are the right candidate and if you do a lot of research. In my opinion you should wait at least a year from first thinking about hair transplants to taking the plunge to go and get one.
7. Wigs can help a minority of guys, but it takes a particular kind of mindset to be able to handle them. Don't write them off but don't expect them to be your saviour either/
8. Future treatments are just that...future treatments. If they come along, great. But don't sit around hoping for them and planning your life around it. There are so many medical, financial, and regulatory uncertainties surrounding them that there are absolutely zero guarantees.
9. Shaving is a viable option for many people. It may hit your looks, but the impact on your life of doing the hamster-wheel of alternative treatments will be a much bigger impediment.
10. Crucially, do not bother trying to learn everything about hair loss. I wish I never did. It will do you no good, and it is a false hope. You will not find some miracle cure that the veterans have not explored and seen before. Seriously. Keep track of your results, find out the basics, and take a course of action.
I wish I had realized these when I started out, because it would have saved me endless hours of agonizing stress and trial-and-error.
These are my Big 10 Conclusions. This is pretty much all I needed to know when I started out.
1. If you want to fight hair loss, your primary option should be finasteride. Dutasteride is a viable alternative for some. In addition to these, Minoxidil, nizoral, and general common-sense (e.g. not smoking 20-a-day) will help. That's pretty much it.
2. The other treatment options fall into two broad categories. Either they do not work to any real extent, as is the case for (among other treatments):
- dietary changes
- herbs
- lasers
- shampoos
- spironolactone
- zix
3. Or, secondly, they offer uncertain benefits at major cost and/or hassle, as is the case, for example, with:
- RU
- Proxiphen
4. Do not believe any anecdotal evidence from the web. If you see a small group of people claiming they've noticed a difference from topical green tea, curcumin, pouring urine onto their scalp, or whatever, ignore this. It's not that they're lying; it's just that they're deluding themselves. Do not fall into the trap of thinking: "hey, if he had success on that, I might as well give it a go." It's a merry-go-round and a complete waste of time and energy.
5. If you think you're getting side effects from treatments, and you've given them a good run, just stop them. Nobody who gets sides from finasteride does better on dutasteride, or miraculously feels fine on 0.5mg rather than 1mg. If you're someone getting side effects and you're not comfortable with it, taking these drugs is just not for you. Give treatments a good run, don't obsess, but don't play the redosing every-other-day game.
6. Hair transplants can make a huge difference, but only if you are the right candidate and if you do a lot of research. In my opinion you should wait at least a year from first thinking about hair transplants to taking the plunge to go and get one.
7. Wigs can help a minority of guys, but it takes a particular kind of mindset to be able to handle them. Don't write them off but don't expect them to be your saviour either/
8. Future treatments are just that...future treatments. If they come along, great. But don't sit around hoping for them and planning your life around it. There are so many medical, financial, and regulatory uncertainties surrounding them that there are absolutely zero guarantees.
9. Shaving is a viable option for many people. It may hit your looks, but the impact on your life of doing the hamster-wheel of alternative treatments will be a much bigger impediment.
10. Crucially, do not bother trying to learn everything about hair loss. I wish I never did. It will do you no good, and it is a false hope. You will not find some miracle cure that the veterans have not explored and seen before. Seriously. Keep track of your results, find out the basics, and take a course of action.
