New to the hair loss game. Question:

[rusHmatic]

The skin on top of my head is noticeably thicker than the rest of my scalp. The thick skin almost makes a fat "V" at the top of my forehead if I raise my eyebrows, where the hair loss started -- it's very obvious. Is this inflammation? This has to be the key to my hair loss. Blood is clearly not nourishing that part of my scalp. The skin on the sides and back are more pliable and "normal" feeling.

Is there research being done specifically with this in mind? Any suggestions?

 

[TD500]

"New to the hair loss game"
your pretty slick bald looking there pal, was your hairloss recent or what?

 

[rusHmatic]

Oh, man. Is it that hard to understand what I'm talking about? I'm new to the game in the sense that I want to know why. I want to know if there's any way to get any back. Of course I didn't lose my hair overnight. I always assumed it was genetic, but over the past few years have noticed the skin thickness on myself and others and wondered if there was a way to "fix" the inflammation. Inflammation can be controlled. I assume it's diet-related to a degree. I assume it may have a connection to health issues and antibiotic use. I assume a component is genetic. Why can't I find a much information out there about the scalp thickness issue, aside from detumescence, pal?

 

[g.i joey]

male pattern baldness is 100%genetic... finasteride reduces all the inflammation and nasty pimples on the head.

 

[rusHmatic]

From what I'm reading, the molecular biology of MBP is not known. There's no current research that says it's 100 percent genetic. In fact, since we're talking hormones, there's a reason people with MBP tend to also have a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and prostatitis -- all inflammatory diseases with a significant contribution from gut flora dysfunction, related to hormone production. The current research says that cancer has always been treated as a hereditary condition, but in reality, it likely has a lot more to do with your environment being very similar to your parents (the food you eat, your exercise habits, views on medicine, etc). Why not the same for hair loss?

That's why I'm assuming it can be controlled, but again, there's not much research out there on this. I'm curious: if someone like me used finasteride and reduced the swelling (but in all likelihood can't regrow hair), what's the current aim in the actual "regrowth" of hair? Has it been figured out yet?

 

[TD500]

Are you on or have tried finasteride/dutasteride/minoxidil?

 

[rusHmatic]

Are you on or have tried finasteride/dutasteride/minoxidil?

Nope, none of the above.

 

[abcdefg]

There is no regrowth of hair. You do what you can to keep what you got or go get a transplant. This isnt star wars where you can new bionic arms attached. Your options are limited.

 

[Vlatch]

Start finasteride and minoxidil, and from the look of your scalp I'd consider scalp massage if I were you.

 

[SayifDoit]

I would still reccommend you get on the big three : Minoxidil/finasteride/nizoral for a good year before turning to a Hair transplant.

Many people can be extremely good responders to minoxidil and if you're lucky you could be one of the few, growing back pratically slick bald areas on their head with dedication to application of alteast twice a day. All three in conjunction can give serious regrowth.

This bull**** you keep talkin about thickness of skin is rubbish and about blood circulation will lead you down a rabbit hole of nothing....there are only three proven products that help hair loss and that's (not forgetting of course RU,spironolactone,dutasteride)Minoxidil, Finasteride and Nizoral. Of course there are other products out there I can name that have been used many times, but none I believe are as effective and safe as these three in conjunction with each other.

 

[kirk]

finasteride can help you keep what you got. You will need a transplant to have any significant cosmetic change.

Also, forget about all that diet stuff. It will only hold you back. It's genetic for sure.

 

[kirk]

What he got? I don't see much, probably 100-200 terminal hairs on that bald scalp. Meds won't do heck for him now.

Yeah, I don't think finasteride will make any visual difference. I think it's worth a try though with minoxidil. I like to look at Dr. Bernstein's results on his website for motivation. Some people even advance Norwood's made good progress. If nothing else, it would reduce amount of grafts needed for an hair transplant.

His loss resembles yours a bit Fred, but I think your head might have a smaller area or something because you had an amazing result with a small amount of grafts.

@OP, I'm curious as to how/why you were in the dark about your hair loss for so long?

 

[rusHmatic]

Yeah, I don't think finasteride will make any visual difference. I think it's worth a try though with minoxidil. I like to look at Dr. Bernstein's results on his website for motivation. Some people even advance Norwood's made good progress. If nothing else, it would reduce amount of grafts needed for an hair transplant.

His loss resembles yours a bit Fred, but I think your head might have a smaller area or something because you had an amazing result with a small amount of grafts.

@OP, I'm curious as to how/why you were in the dark about your hair loss for so long?

How do you mean "in the dark"? I just always assumed that there was nothing I can do because it was genetic. I used Toppik while it wasn't so bad to hide it. Then I started shaving. Just kind of accepted it and moved on. Then I caught these forums and started reading a lot about inflammation in general (changed my diet) and noticed a little more thickness. That's about it. Never even considered a "Big 3". What does someone like me pay for hair transplants? Several thousand?

 

[Notcoolanymore]

Then I caught these forums and started reading a lot about inflammation in general (changed my diet) and noticed a little more thickness.

Have you looked into nofap? I heard that can make a difference too.

 

[kirk]

How do you mean "in the dark"?

How long from the time you started losing your hair from the time you started treating it with medication? I'm interested because I sometimes meet people that are very relaxed about losing their hair. I never considered myself vain, but as soon as I was out of denial phase I panicked and jumped on treatments.

Disregard this if your condition was extremely aggressive and you did not have time to really DO anything about it.

What does someone like me pay for hair transplants? Several thousand?

This really does depend on your expectations and donor area. If you have the money to tap out your donor area, you could get a good result. Yes, multiple thousands (10-20,000). If your just looking to increase density a it on crown perhaps less money. Check out FredTheBelgian's hair transplant page in the hair transplant section. He had an excellent result for minimal amount of grafts.