New Here: Diffuse Thinner. Looking For Ideas/to Confirm My Treatment Strategy

[mmwil23]

Hi everyone,

New to this thread, but figured I would post my story as well as seek out some help here in determining where I’m at and what I need to do salvage what I have left.

As you’ll see from the pics, I’m almost positive I’m a diffuse thinner. Been thinning since I was 22 (I’m 27 now). Only in the last 18’months or so has the crown gotten this noticeable which is why I started searching for help.

I’m currently on week 2-3 of Minoxidil, week 2 of Finasteride 1mg, and just started the Regenepure shampoo. I made the mistake of letting this get a lot thinner than I had intended, but now looking at what I’ve got left I know it’s now or never to hopefully save what I’ve got and MAYBE get a small portion back.

I obviously want to post more to update for progress, but really wanted to start by confirming some of my suspicions about my prognosis/figuring out what else I can do.

1. I’m 6’4 and so this thinning you see is fairly hard to spot unless I completely bend over. The crown is the worst spot in the last two years, but luckily I have pretty good coverage in front that helps hide it. My question is, should I go to a buzz or not with it, and if so what guard length? I’ve read a lot of ppl say buzzing is better for thinning, but I realize I also run the risk of it just being more noticeable. Thoughts?

2. I’m clearly early on in the Big 3 stages, and I haven’t even really started to shed. And I know I’ve lost a decent amount on top to where I’m not gonna come back fully from it, if at all. But given these pictures, one of which I combed all of my hair to the side and back to get a full scalp picture, what realistically am I looking at?

I’ve got a good hairline, and it’s my one saving grace here. I don’t want to lose it which is why I started the entire treatment process ASAP. Hopefully in a year’s time I can report back with some good news, but any and all help here for some other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

(Note: in my small defense, none of these pics show how it looks from the front, which I think makes it look SLIGHTLY more full because of my good front coverage. Also every pic I took is in the harshest light possible on purpose. But still I’m grasping at straws lol)

 

[Raz]

1) I'd probably buzz it. Idk how short, up to you. Your hair probably doesn't look as bad as it does in the photos (in normal daily situations). But one of the advantages of having a good hairline is that you still have that framing your face well, so you kinda look like a normal (non-balding) person with shorter hair. Might wanna give it a shot.

2) It's good to be realistic, but don't also lose hope. The upside is that you have a good hairline, so you'll look good with a buzzcut either way. It's impossible to tell if you're gonna fit into the "maintain" or the "regrow" camp since it's this early. Just keep going and stay consistent with the regimen. It's not super likely to get a lot of regrowth on Big 3 alone, but it can happen. (I had good results for example, thread is still on the front page of this sub forum).

Good luck dude.

 

[mmwil23]

1) I'd probably buzz it. Idk how short, up to you. Your hair probably doesn't look as bad as it does in the photos (in normal daily situations). But one of the advantages of having a good hairline is that you still have that framing your face well, so you kinda look like a normal (non-balding) person with shorter hair. Might wanna give it a shot.

2) It's good to be realistic, but don't also lose hope. The upside is that you have a good hairline, so you'll look good with a buzzcut either way. It's impossible to tell if you're gonna fit into the "maintain" or the "regrow" camp since it's this early. Just keep going and stay consistent with the regimen. It's not super likely to get a lot of regrowth on Big 3 alone, but it can happen. (I had good results for example, thread is still on the front page of this sub forum).

Good luck dude.

Thanks man. Definitely not losing hope at all. Just trying to remain level headed. Especially whenever the shed finally hits. I agree with the buzz cut sentiments though, and I’ve rocked a level 3 in my younger days. Doubt I’ll have that high a guard level, but I’m comfortable with it. My only real sticking point with buzzing is I have a wedding coming up and am debating whether I want my wedding pics to be the last ones I have hair in or if it’s better to just get it over with.

But I appreciate the help and second opinion. Hope to be able to update in a few months or longer, and I’ll be fine however it turns out. Just trying to make sure I don’t look like THAT guy if the hair situation becomes that noticeable. But again, thank you.

 

[Bercenjak]

My only real sticking point with buzzing is I have a wedding coming up and am debating whether I want my wedding pics to be the last ones I have hair in or if it’s better to just get it over with.

I renewed my passport a bit earlier than needed, mainly for this reason too (the final appearance of my long hair). Give it one last hurrah, I say. In the future you might look back with more objectivity and think you hadn't lost that much hair yet.
Good luck with your treatment strategy.

 

[mmwil23]

Hey everyone, just wanted to update my progress after my initial post a few months ago when I first started my treatment. I started on a Minoxidil foam twice a day/Finasteride 1mg once a day, and Keto Shampoo 2-3 times a week.

My initial photos were at the end of March, beginning of April timeframe. The photos here are from the beginning of May, mid-May, the middle of June, and finally the beginning of July. Happy to say that I’m liking my progress so far, and especially with styling my hair, a lot of my thinning seems to be growing back fairly steady. Still got some work to do on the crown, but it’s a lot less noticeable than it was when I first started. Hoping I can maintain what I’ve got now, and I’m fairly happy if I could even just stay here. Hope this gives everyone some extra hope and confidence to pursue treatment and good luck!

 

[Danny-kins]

Gosh, you're getting some nice regrowth!! It's definitely heartening to see people getting results as someone just starting this path haha