male pattern baldness spreading to the side of my head?

[fashy]

Hey, so I am aware I am suffering of both male pattern baldness and diffuse thinning (have been since I was 16, now I am 23). Last year I started treatment with minoxidil as well as needling once every 2/3 weeks and washing with nizoral 2%. This regimen seemingly slowed my shedding and balding a bit, but recently I've noticed that I've started shedding more and I believe I am yet again losing ground.

What is more concerning to me however is that I noticed that I am seriously thinning out on the sides of my head, something that I had not noticed before and I think it has only recently become as worse as it appears to be right now. I am going to post pictures of my hair underneath, but I wanted to ask is this a normal pattern for male pattern baldness or diffuse thinning? I was under the impression that male pattern baldness basically attacks the top of the head and diffuse thinning does mostly that as well. Is thinning on the sides of the head like this normal for male pattern baldness or diffuse or is there something else going on? And also, should I try needling there as needling on my temples actually helped me regain some ground that I have not yet lost.

(As you can see in the pictures, the left side of my head is very thinned out , while the right side less so but I'm guessing it's following a similar trajectory)

 

[fashy]

Thank you for the worthless input!

 

[Here For the Lulz]

It’s normal for those with the DUPA variation of male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, that seems to apply to your case.

 

[jazz1]

That does look like male pattern baldness, you would probably see better results adding hair oils like divine herbal and Finasteride.

Alternatively try the mixture I use from MAA compound pharmacy with added hydrocortisone. They compound from 5%-30% minoxidil mixture and you can choose the additives, I use the below:


Lotion
15% Minoxidil
5% Azelaic Acid
0.1% Finasteride
0.25% Progesterone
0.025% Tretinoin
0.1% Hydrocortisone.

Topical Finasteride

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...oxidil-finasteride-mixture-check-here.126633/

Topical Dutasteride

https://www.hairlosstalk.com/intera...asteride-minoxidil-mixture-check-here.128666/

 

[FromHairy2LarryDavid]

Oh our hairlines are quite similar actually. Sadly the pattern does indicate male pattern baldness and the volume suggests diffuse thinning as well. Luckily, from an anecdotal perspective, diffuse thinning is typically far more treatable than an actual devious hairline. Mainly by minoxidil, even tho 5ARI's or AA's would be the ultimate stack alongside.

Last year I started treatment with minoxidil as well as needling once every 2/3 weeks

Very good thing you added microneedling. Shown to double results by enhancing absorption. That said, I would also add Tretinoin to the stack.

It's also clinically proven to help, via stimulating the sulfotransferase enzymes in the tissue - the enzymes responsible for turning minoxidil into minoxidil sulfate, thus letting your system actually utilize it. It essentially turns non-responders into responders, as the insufficient levels of said enzymes is typically the reason for their lack of results (besides lousy application, skipping days etc.)

Is thinning on the sides of the head like this normal for male pattern baldness or diffuse or is there something else going on? And also, should I try needling there as needling on my temples actually helped me regain some ground that I have not yet lost.

As rare as it occurs, I've mainly seen thinning sides in male pattern baldness/Diffuse thinning sufferers, so I'd say it's likely part of your genetics there.
However! That is by no means to say you shouldn't run any tests to rule out any other factors from the equation.

Have labs look for any signs of Anemia, Thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, anything with potential to contribute to or cause hair loss of any kind. Even double check on telogen effluvium. Check to see if it isn't in fact a key vitamin lacking, rather than sweep it under the seasonal/stress related shedding category.

Best of luck.