Could This Product Caused This? Is It Permanent? Am I Fu*ked?

[Marius77]

Hello all. This is my first time ever posting regarding a question about hair. Never thought that this could have happened to me. Anyway, without further ado, let me start.

I'm 23 years old. 2 months ago I noticed that my hair in the front and on thop started thinning. I don't want to believe this is hereditary. Yes, my father, uncle, both grandfathers were bald. But, before you jump into conclusion, hear me out.

Couple months ago, I started using some hair styling product that I bought from local barbershop. And I firmly believe this is the reason why my hair thinned out. Because it can't be anything else. Although I am suspect to male pattern baldness, I don't believe sh*t like this happens in a month or 2.

Also, the area that is thinning is exactly where I put that styling product. Another important detail is that the same area became itch. Same thing happened with my mom who also used this product. She said her scalp became itch as well. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Anyway, I'm attaching photos so you can rate my current situation. Photos are far from crisp clear but you should get an idea. Also, the use of camera flash and certain angle might made it look even worse.

And I'm also attaching the label of the styling product that I used. I did some research on certain compounds that are in it and overall, I think this can't get any worse.

So, do you believe this was caused by this product and not anything else?

What should be my next steps. I really don't want to put any more chemicals in my body or on my hair. I obviously discontinued the use of this product. I stopped air drying my hair, bought all natural hand made shampoo which ingredients are: Aqua, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf water, Lauryl glucoside, Moroccan lava clay, Aloe vera, Glycerin, Morbi aceto, Tocopherol acetate, Cannabis sativa , Salvia sclarea l., Citrus lemon l.

And all natural (I hope) styling wax with ingredients as following: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Lanolin, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Behenyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*

Is there anything else you could recommend to help my hair recover?

Appreciate the help.

 

[hollow11]

If it's daytime where you're at, go out and take a photo under bright sunlight. From what i've learned on this forum, flash tends to cast shadows and bring out the whiteness in the scalp more. I think the more experienced than me would tell you the same.

If you experience itching after using the product, stop using it immediately. I can't really tell you if the product is what makes you lose hair (if you are actually losing it), since the ingredients are not too bad (except for the fact it has a lot of alcohol which dries the hair up). However, I wouldn't risk using it again if i were you. Also - very important, don't scratch your scalp too much as that will lead to ripping the hair out.

 

[Hangin'on Hair]

That stuff has parabens in it. Try to avoid that. It can mess with hormones.

Now get ready for the " better jump on finasteride and minoxidil" suggestions to come your way.

 

[Marius77]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I noticed it has a lot of alcohol. But there are far worse compounds than alcohol. For example, propylparaben and methylparaben. The second is the worst of all parabens.

Also, Vinyl Caprolactam:
http://www.eupia.org/uploads/tx_edm/2015-03-11_EuPIA_Customer_Information_Note_NVC.pdf

Also,dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate . Here's some info about it:
2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate is a clear colorless liquid. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air and corrosive to eyes and mucous membranes. May polymerize exothermically if heated or contaminated. If polymerization takes place inside a closed container, the container may rupture violently. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Toxic by skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation. Used to make plastics and in textiles.

The list goes on.


Anyway, here are some better quality photos without flash. Did not make me feel better.



P.S. There is a distinct possibility that this was caused by other factors.
1. Vaping.
2. Creatine consumption.
3. Melanotan-2.

Not sure though. I took creatine couple times. Vaped 3 years ago for 1 month. Only this time it's heavier. And also used melanotan-2 about 3 years ago. Did not notice anything remotely similar.

 

[Marius77]

Also, one more important detail. That area where I missing the most hair, if I pull them, not hard but just slightly or moderately, the hair will come off quite easily. Other areas of the scalp are quite different. The hair feels so much stronger.

 

[dralex]

No way a styling product did this to your hair, unless you had a severe allergic reaction, and saying how you have no rash I doubt it. Most likely male pattern baldness kicking into hydro-gear right now. You've probably been balding for a while and haven't noticed it, but you just hit the tipping point where it is becoming super noticeable. I would schedule a dermatologist appointment to rule out other possibilities, but looks like it is most likely male pattern baldness.

 

[dralex]

P.S. There is a distinct possibility that this was caused by other factors.
1. Vaping.
2. Creatine consumption.
3. Melanotan-2.

Not sure though. I took creatine couple times. Vaped 3 years ago for 1 month. Only this time it's heavier. And also used melanotan-2 about 3 years ago. Did not notice anything remotely similar.

Vaping - No
Creatine - No (one study showed it increases DHT, but this would only speed up male pattern hair loss)
Melanotan-2 - Why the hell are you taking this? Shouldn't cause hair loss, side effects are not very well known though.

 

[Marius77]

Vaping - No
Creatine - No (one study showed it increases DHT, but this would only speed up male pattern hair loss)
Melanotan-2 - Why the hell are you taking this? Shouldn't cause hair loss, side effects are not very well known though.

Why am I taking MT2? Why do some people take steroids? I have dificult time tanning, mostly burn and melanotan does help me a lot. Anyway, looks like you are certain that I'm balding. Is the pattern you see really familiar to male pattern baldness?

 

[dralex]

Why am I taking MT2? Why do some people take steroids? I have dificult time tanning, mostly burn and melanotan does help me a lot. Anyway, looks like you are certain that I'm balding. Is the pattern you see really familiar to male pattern baldness?

Steroids are much more studied than Melanotan-2. Side effects are highly unknown on Melanotan-2. And yes your pattern seems fairly typical, looks like diffused thinning. Its possible you have telogen effluvium, but you'd need a doctor's diagnosis to really know. Also it matters how long you've been losing hair. If you really had all your loss in the past 2 months it is probs not male pattern loss, but its possible you just didn't notice the loss til you hit a tipping point.

 

[Marius77]

Steroids are much more studied than Melanotan-2. Side effects are highly unknown on Melanotan-2. And yes your pattern seems fairly typical, looks like diffused thinning. Its possible you have telogen effluvium, but you'd need a doctor's diagnosis to really know. Also it matters how long you've been losing hair. If you really had all your loss in the past 2 months it is probs not male pattern loss, but its possible you just didn't notice the loss til you hit a tipping point.

it is possible that I did not notice it. Thanks for the useful info regarding these different hair loss conditions btw. I did not know about any of them. Anyway, if you had to judge just by photos and determine the exact diagnosis and condition, what would you say are my chances to stop hair loss/thinning or whatever this is and maybe even reverse it? High? Low? Slim? None?

 

[dralex]

Thanks for the useful info regarding these hair loss conditions I did not know about. Anyway, if you had to judge just by photos, what would you say are my chances to stop hair loss/thinning or whatever this is and maybe even reverse it? High? Low? Slim? None?

Matters what your willing to take and how you respond to the treatments. I would get a diagnosis from a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss first, to rule out other causes. If it is male pattern hair loss, I would start on finasteride 1mg daily, and possibly minoxidil (would have to use all over head for your hair loss pattern). On these treatments, some people experience full regrowth from your current stage, and some continue to lose hair at the same rate. Most likely is you would maintain what you have, but everyone responds differently.