finasteride + Min Update At 4 Months, Hairline Thinning Getting Worse

[MKP05]

Prior to May of this year i was a NW1 with zero thinning. I am now a solid NW3 and no signs of stopping. I started finasteride and min (2x daily) plus Keto shampoo on July 1st. My hairline recession has definitely gotten much worse since then. The thinning that started at the temples has now creeped into my entire forelock and mid scalp. i'd say the entire hairline as already receded a few millimeters in the front with about 2 to 3 inches thinning beyond that. I am going to press on for at least another 6 months with this but I am getting really concerned about how fast this is progressing. I also suffer from alopecia areata so i don't know if there is some sort of autoimmune thing going on as well. Could this be some sort of scarring alopecia? The kicker is that i have an identical twin (same genes) and he is not experiencing any of this which makes me think there is more going on then just genetics. Wondering if i should add wounding to my routine or just stay the course. Getting very discouraged and could use some advice.

 

[MKP05]

I should also mention that I haven’t experienced a “shed” like others have described. I may get a hair or two in my hands when I run through my hair but no massive amounts in sink, pillow or shower. It’s definitely thinning out rapidly but not an obvious shed that I can detect.

 

[CrownBalding]

Sometimes it’s hard to see shedded hairs. I’m in the same boat as you except I’m half your age. Be happy you got this far.

 

[MKP05]

Sometimes it’s hard to see shedded hairs. I’m in the same boat as you except I’m half your age. Be happy you got this far.

Im sure you’re right. And believe me I know that I’m lucky to have made it this far. But I’ve had hair loss issues since I was 25 (I once lost 3/4 of the back of my scalp to alopecia) so it hasn’t been a bed of roses. This is just the kick in the nuts after dealing with that the last 20 years.

 

[Trichosan]

This could be the dream case for genetic research into hair loss - an identical twin balding and one that does not. But, right now, in your case, it's likely your losing some hair as the effects of your treatment impact that stage of follicle development. As the cycle spins back up in the next 2-3 months you will be able to see if it is helping for sure. Don't add other stuff at this point, it puts too many variables into the equation. By the way, @MKP05, what is your age?

 

[MKP05]

Sometimes it’s hard to see shedded hairs. I’m in the same boat as you except I’m half your age. Be happy you got this far.

I know there are some stories about finasteride and it’s possible detrimental effect on the front of the scalp. I still find that hard to believe given the science behind the drug. Have you come across anyone here or anywhere else who’ve had a positive reaction at the hairline under this regimen?

 

[MKP05]

This could be the dream case for genetic research into hair loss - an identical twin balding and one that does not. But, right now, in your case, it's likely your losing some hair as the effects of your treatment impact that stage of follicle development. As the cycle spins back up in the next 2-3 months you will be able to see if it is helping for sure. Don't add other stuff at this point, it puts too many variables into the equation. By the way, @MKP05, what is your age?

I’ll be 46 in 10 days. The really weird thing is that my brother also doesn’t have alopecia areata. And this rapid receding came on the heels of a bad alopecia atrack I had in February after being in remission for ten years. I’m still convinced that attack triggered this. Coincidentally my alopecia grew to the size of a softball on the back of my head but after many months of steroid injections it is completely filled in. So hair has been growing in my huge bald spot in the back while it’s been rapidly thinning in the front. Ironic.

 

[CrownBalding]

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...finasteride-hair-looks-worse-than-ever.98169/

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...eride-keto-success.100685/page-2#post-1373447

Same guy, a few months apart

 

[Trichosan]

I’ll be 46 in 10 days. The really weird thing is that my brother also doesn’t have alopecia areata. And this rapid receding came on the heels of a bad alopecia atrack I had in February after being in remission for ten years. I’m still convinced that attack triggered this. Coincidentally my alopecia grew to the size of a softball on the back of my head but after many months of steroid injections it is completely filled in. So hair has been growing in my huge bald spot in the back while it’s been rapidly thinning in the front. Ironic.

Some kind of immune flareup. I think that's the key. It would be ideal if you were to get comprehensive blood tests as well as toxicology tests to rule out heavy metal, mould and other environmental toxins. See an endocrinologist also.