Receding Hairline At 40 - What Protocol Should I Use

[JReinhal]

An update, I started Rogaine yesterday, using a little on each "peak". If Im able to fill those in, I think I would be happy. Going off my photos, would this be something minoxidil is capable of doing? If not, I'll explore the FUE option. With FUE, would I want to wait for the shedding process to slow down? Im assuming so as I would not want to have a gap between where the receding has progressed and the newly translated hair. Im attaching a new photo...me on the left at 40 and on the right early 20s. Ive ALWAYS had a very large forehead...since a small child. It is evident, though, that the peaks are becoming more visible.

 

[JReinhal]

Its unlikely that treatment will regrow the hair that's been lost but it will maintain what you have if you're a good responder. A transplant will definitely restore your temples and hairline. I would honestly wait and see how well you respond to treatment before jumping into a hair transplant.

Thank you for your response. So, you are suggesting the minoxidil may not regrow lost hair but has the potential to keep what's current?

 

[Roberto_72]

Thank you for your response. So, you are suggesting the minoxidil may not regrow lost hair but has the potential to keep what's current?

You have to be very lucky to regain areas where hair has already said goodbye. Someone reaches that goal with topical (or even oral) anti-androgens (estradiol, spironelactone, progesterone).

The more common (and approved) treatments (minoxidil / fina) allow you to regain lost ground only if you are very lucky; most people are happy to maintain what they have. I can assure you that in this day and age real maintenance through the decades is already a good goal.

 

[JReinhal]

You have to be very lucky to regain areas where hair has already said goodbye. Someone reaches that goal with topical (or even oral) anti-androgens (estradiol, spironelactone, progesterone).

The more common (and approved) treatments (minoxidil / fina) allow you to regain lost ground only if you are very lucky; most people are happy to maintain what they have. I can assure you that in this day and age real maintenance through the decades is already a good goal.

Thank you Roberto. Well, that's rather disappointing to read. Im unhappy with the current coverage so it appears that if I want to see some growth, hair transplant would be much more favorable.

 

[Roberto_72]

Thank you Roberto. Well, that's rather disappointing to read. Im unhappy with the current coverage so it appears that if I want to see some growth, hair transplant would be much more favorable.

You are unhappy because although you have good density it is clear you cannot style the front as you probably did in the past.
Bad thing about hair loss is that a few millimeters of loss can screw up your style.
A FUE transplant can definitely change your looks for the best. I know people will say at 40 you are more than OK but it is you who have to comb your hair and go to work in the morning.

 

[JReinhal]

You are unhappy because although you have good density it is clear you cannot style the front as you probably did in the past.
Bad thing about hair loss is that a few millimeters of loss can screw up your style.
A FUE transplant can definitely change your looks for the best. I know people will say at 40 you are more than OK but it is you who have to comb your hair and go to work in the morning.

Precisely spot on! The hairstyle Ive enjoyed for most of my adult life is no longer possible. In fact, that is what alerted me to the hair loss - I was wondering why I began to find difficulty in styling the front hairline.

 

[Roberto_72]

BTW: I do not ask this often, but have you tried buzzing it?
There is a chance that
- buzzing it to hide what you lost
- finasteride to keep what you got
solve your problems without the need for a hair transplant.

 

[JReinhal]

BTW: I do not ask this often, but have you tried buzzing it?
There is a chance that
- buzzing it to hide what you lost
- finasteride to keep what you got
solve your problems without the need for a hair transplant.

I have not. I assume you mean buzz as in a very close crop? I suppose I could. I just recently started to grow my hair longer for the first time since the 90s. It seems that the longer I grow it, the more discernible the hair loss becomes.

 

[Roberto_72]

I have not. I assume you mean buzz as in a very close crop? I suppose I could. I just recently started to grow my hair longer for the first time since the 90s. It seems that the longer I grow it, the more discernible the hair loss becomes.

Yes, a close crop. You must have the right head shape to look good with it. But there's no reason not to try once, see how it goes. Keep in mind that if you want to try the FUE transplant avenue you would have to shave it anyways, so it is worth a try.

 

[JReinhal]

Yes, a close crop. You must have the right head shape to look good with it. But there's no reason not to try once, see how it goes. Keep in mind that if you want to try the FUE transplant avenue you would have to shave it anyways, so it is worth a try.

I will certainly give that a go. Thank you for your input Roberto. I really appreciate it.

 

[JReinhal]

So, Ive been using Rogaine foam 5% for about 3 weeks now. I am DEFINITELY seeing shedding in the areas of application, which are the high corners. Please tell me this will grow back. At the minimum, Im hoping for that. At most, I would love to see complete regrowth of the upper corners.