A Hair Treatment That Works

LCamelface on 14/02/2023 - 16:36
Last edited 15/02/2023 - 19:00

In my mid 40s, and having lost most of my frontal head hair, I'm wondering if any of you have used the common treatments available in the market to grow hair, and what were the results.

I'm aware of the Ashely and Martin advert, and the one that Shane Warne used to promote (may not be a good choice after all). Also there're prescription drugs, hair oils and traditional Chinese ointments.

My question is what works and what doesn't? Is it worth the investment? What're the risks?

It's too late for this year now, but help me to score a date with confidence, at least on the next Valantine's Day!

Edit

Thanks all for you kind advices, comments, and sharing your experiences. A decision has been made to shave it off the rest and live with it. To recap the options that were suggested in the discussio:

  1. Shave it off, go bald and live with it

  2. Medications - No guarantee that they work. The risks outweigh the benifits. Not a permanent solution at least for a reasonable period.

  3. Hair loss treatment companies - No much different from above (2), and will most likely cost more.

  4. Hair transplant: Probably the best option if you can afford and if you really want hair. Again the side effects and the risks are the concerns.

  5. Diet : No doubt that our diet has effects on the body. The notion that specific diets cause hair loss is a broader statement. I think it depends on individuals, and how you manage your diet.

Health & Beauty Hair Care

Comments

  • GG57 on 14/02/2023 - 16:40
    +2

    Could you explain why you feel the need to seek a "treatment", rather than just embracing who you are?

    • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:13
      +1

      Well, I had a very nice head of hair until late 30s and then started loosing rapidly. None of my male family members have lost hair as mine. So I was wondering if there was an underlying condition. One thing I forgot to mention, I turned vegan at that age, but I don't think that would've had any effect.

      • brendanm on 14/02/2023 - 17:16
        -1

        I turned vegan at that age, but I don't think that would've had any effect

        Is this a troll post?

        • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:17

          Why would it be?

          • brendanm on 14/02/2023 - 17:19

            @Camelface: It's literally a known cause of hair loss.

            • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:22

              @brendanm: What are the proofs? I take good care of my meals, take supliments, and the blood tests and all that are pretty normal for my age.

              • brendanm on 14/02/2023 - 17:42
                -2

                @Camelface: You can use google as well as I can.

                • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:51
                  +4

                  @brendanm: Haha that's what most people are good at, but that's why you come to forums like this get some advice from people who have gone through similar conditions and have some genuine openion.

                  Google even says masterbation is also causes hair loss. If that's the case, you would hardly be able to find someone with hair, wouldn't you?

                  • brendanm on 14/02/2023 - 18:03

                    @Camelface: Google properly. Lots of information from actual credible sources.

      • 7ekn00 on 14/02/2023 - 22:29
        +5

        One thing I forgot to mention, I turned vegan at that age, but I don't think that would've had any effect.

        It has a massive affect because of two main reasons:
        - minimal fat ingestion (so corticoid hormones are reduced, signalling a "stress" state to the body making hair growth "non essential" for survival)
        - an ingestion of an incomplete amino acid profile to produce collagen - the main structure of hair (predominantly missing the amino acids Lysine, Threonine and Isoleucine)

        Collagen Amino Acids: https://cbsupplements.com/cc/collagen-amino-acids-profile/
        Amino Acids missing from vegan diets: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5598028/

        Common examples of the limiting amino acids in plant-based proteins include lysine, methionine, isoleucine, threonine and tryptophan. Of these, lysine appears to be to be most commonly absent, particularly from cereal grains [46].

        • brendanm on 14/02/2023 - 23:13
          -4

          BuT WhERe arE tHE ProOFs!?!?

          • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 08:14
            -4

            @brendanm: I know what you guys are trying to tell, but that's specific to inviduals and depends on the context. The theory doesn't apply to everybody. As I mentioned, not eating animal products doesn't mean I have lack of nutrients. Unlike back in the days, many food options and knowledge is available for non-meat eaters to stay healthy.

            One of my friends is a strict vegan than myself, but he has a ponytail. How do you explain that?

            • 7ekn00 on 15/02/2023 - 10:57
              +2

              @Camelface:

              One of my friends is a strict vegan than myself, but he has a ponytail. How do you explain that?

              Either he is less than 5 years in, or sneaking meat products in there (like a majority of youtube "vegans") :/

              It takes about 5-7 years for nutrient deficiencies to take hold ;)

              It is why 80+% of vegan / vegetarians quit before 5 years …

              Source: https://www.thehealthyjournal.com/faq/how-many-vegans-quit-b…

              • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 11:46

                @7ekn00: He's my age, we have lunch together often, and I know he's a vegan.

            • 7ekn00 on 15/02/2023 - 17:51
              +2

              @Camelface:

              not eating animal products doesn't mean I have lack of nutrients.

              Hate to tell you, but it does - look up "bioavailability" as to why what you put in your mouth isn't actually what is absorbed into the body :/
              See:
              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_quality
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJNF2_dCWkg
              https://www.kevinstock.io/health/vitamins-and-minerals-plant…

              available for non-meat eaters to stay healthy.

              I bet you haven't even considered half of these for supplementation: :
              1) Pre-formed Omega-3 Fatty Acids DHA and EPA
              2) Vitamin B12
              3) Vitamin D3
              4) Vitamin A/Retinol
              5) Zinc
              6) Choline
              7) Calcium
              9) Iodine
              10) Selenium
              11) Cholesterol
              12) Carnitine
              13) Carnosine
              14) Glycine
              15) Amino Acids
              Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are BCAAs that stimulate metabolism and muscle growth.
              Methionine is a precursor to SAM, which is important for methylation.
              Tryptophan is critical for serotonin synthesis, and therefore melatonin synthesis.
              Cysteine is important for creating glutathione and hydrogen sulfide.
              Lysine is important for immune function and can reduce anxiety.
              Tyrosine and phenylalanine are important for dopamine synthesis.
              Proline is important for collagen production and joints.
              I had to supplement with many amino acids on a vegan diet.
              16) Creatine
              17) Taurine
              18) Vitamin B6/Pyridoxine
              20) Vitamin B3/Niacin

              From: https://selfhack.com/blog/16-nutrients-vegans-arent-getting/

              I doubt you are even sufficient in all due to "bioavailability" :/

              • Camelface on 16/02/2023 - 13:00

                @7ekn00: This is really useful information. I'm not declaring that I cover all that, but may I ask, if I start consuming eggs and milk, how many items in above list I would be able to strike-off?

                • 7ekn00 on 16/02/2023 - 13:14
                  +2

                  @Camelface: Eggs and Milk will strike off the whole list, depending on quantity of course, but some is far better than none!

                  If you really want to gage the actual difference, get a DEXA scan before you start, then another DEXA 6 months in …
                  (you will find your bone density and muscle mass increase)

      • reactor-au on 15/02/2023 - 08:43

        Finasteride and Minoxidil, that said they are better at prevention than resurrection. Some people will have hormone issues with Finasteride though.

    • Sleeqb7 on 15/02/2023 - 13:54
      +3

      Speaking from experience;
      Going bald, especially at a young age, (profanity) sucks.

      So many options for how you can present yourself and how you can choose to look are taken away from you. You're left with looking like you're grasping for the last few years of hair, or you're a cue ball.

      I had a glorious mane as a teenager, but by the time I was in my 20s I was reduced to a horseshoe. Losing that agency is a killer to the sense of self, and to the ego.

      • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 18:07

        Unfortunately the truth of life. May be it's wise to think that this body isn't mine if I can't have it the way I want, so it's not my problem if it's loosing hair or whatever.

      • reactor-au on 16/02/2023 - 10:58

        I do miss my hair, absolutely, 5% because of what other people think and 95% because I liked my look with it.
        Better to embrace it than deny it with comb-over, horse-shoe, or clearing in the cornfield.

  • bargaino on 14/02/2023 - 16:43
    +1

    What works?
    A good wig, a razor, or acceptance.

    What does not work: anything heavily advertised, incl stitching fake hair (A&M), spray-on, comb-over.

  • MS Paint on 14/02/2023 - 16:47
    +6

    Wahl trimmer. #1 cutter.
    Be at peace.

  • spackbace on 14/02/2023 - 16:50
    +2

    If you are stretching or torturing or abusing your body, trying to be someone that you're not

    It's fine to be an introvert but you can always be honest and truthfull. It always wins eventually.

    Might be best to follow your own advice and just let it happen naturally and be confident in your own skin

    • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:17
      +3

      I'm definitely not depressed about loosing hair. I'm well aware that I'm going to die someday, let alone the hair. I was just being honest with how I feel, and what's wrong with that? Also, I haven't taken any treatments, and that's why I'm asking what works, and what are the risks.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 14/02/2023 - 20:28

        Why are any of the risks worth it?

        You could end up with ED and still have no hair

        • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 08:28

          Based on the discussion, it looks to be the case. The benifits or the outcomes are not worth the risks.

  • lewislardboy on 14/02/2023 - 16:57

    Just how far gone are you? Things like Regaine do actually work, if you're in the early to mid stages of thinning. Success stories are less common for re-growing from basically bald. It also is designed for thinning on the top of your head, not your peaks.

    Like others have said however — your hair shouldn't define you. Just shaved it and hit the gym.

    • MS Paint on 14/02/2023 - 17:07
      +3

      hit the gym

      Your physique shouldn't define you. Just hit the my maccas app.

      • lewislardboy on 14/02/2023 - 17:16
        +1

        you shouldn't be judged for your physique, but it literally does define you — in this dimension, at least.

    • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:20

      I think I'm in the mid stage of thinning. Still there's lot of hair at the back of the head.

      • lewislardboy on 14/02/2023 - 17:22

        what level on this scale?

        https://cdn-prod.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/article…

        • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:24

          May be 4 or closer to 5

          • lewislardboy on 14/02/2023 - 17:27

            @Camelface: If you're 4, maybe there's a chance with Regaine. 5 is probably too far gone. Give it a shot — it's like $150 for a ~3 month supply at Chemist Warehouse. what's to lose?

            • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:30

              @lewislardboy: Thanks for the advice. The concern is what happens after 3 months? Do I need to repeat or would it stay for another 10 years like?

              • lewislardboy on 14/02/2023 - 17:35
                +1

                @Camelface: Oh, it's a thing you'll need to continue forever. Once you stop, any benefit you had will disappear and probably get worse as your scalp would be reliant on the chemicals.

                Make peace with having a shaved head one day in the future, and Regaine can just delay the inevitability of it.

                • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:40

                  @lewislardboy: It does make sense when you put it that way. When I think more of it, I think it's already too late now.

  • bohn on 14/02/2023 - 17:12

    It's ok to be bald. Just don't be Mr. Baldy.

    • Camelface on 14/02/2023 - 17:54

      Haha only interested in my own baldness, not others.

  • Brucet on 14/02/2023 - 17:28

    don't waste your $ for hair grow.

  • Miami Mall Alien on 14/02/2023 - 18:11
    +4

    If it really bothers you that much, go to a place like Istanbul and get yourself a hair transplant for literally thousands of dollars less compared to what you pay in Western countries. I spoke to a seasoned barber about this trend recently and from the evidence he's seen in his line of work, he said the results are actually as good if not better than the results you'd get from having a hair transplant done in Australia (mainly due to the volume of these procedures performed there and the far greater experience that hair loss clinics in that country have).

    It's a permanent procedure for most people and will last far longer than any topical/oral treatments because they take the non-androgenic hair follicles that aren't affected by hormonal fluctuations/male pattern baldness from the back/sides of your head and essentially re-insert them into your scalp. Hair transplants also have no real side effects compared to the majority of oral treatments which have a whole host of side effects, especially Minoxidil (cardiovascular issues/premature death don't seem like worthwhile trade-offs for a head of hair imo).

    I was amazed by how many dudes (clearly foreigners/tourists) were walking around a lot of cities in Aegean Turkey displaying the very obvious signs of having had a recent hair transplant (the scalp looks a bit like recently tattooed skin crossed with extreme sunburn or something). The follicly-challenged must be flocking there for a reason.

    Same goes with the countless women walking around rocking nose bandages or fake t*ts to cash in on the savings of having those procedures done there compared to back in their home countries.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2023 - 21:15

      helpful comment. cheers!

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 08:53

      A very detailed and a comprehensive reply. Thanks. I was aware of the hair transplant option, but had already ruled it out for two reasons:

      1. I heard from several people that the surgery is rather painful and takes a long time,
      2. The cost involved (of course based on your reply there are cheaper options if you do it overseas). But this is not a viable option for me at this stage

      Thanks again for the reply.

  • randomusername2017 on 14/02/2023 - 18:13

    username checks out…

  • Shoocat on 14/02/2023 - 18:36

    Hair transplants work for some people, but are painful, expensive and risk infections as with any surgery. Some people do find the hair falls back out after.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 14/02/2023 - 18:58
    +2

    Shave it all off. Embrace it.

    Put it this way, Prince William, Prince Harry, Vin Diesel, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, The Rock, all these rich peeps couldn't manage to keep a hold onto their hair.

    The key exceptions Gordon Ramsey, Elon Musk look like a cat died on their head. They used uber expensive implants and get them redone regularly. Probably costs more than my house.

    Shave it off King.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 14/02/2023 - 20:30
      +1

      Prince William

      Honestly he needs to shave it, he looks like John Howard

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 10:33

      Being rich is least concerning to me. When I see a nice head of hair, I find it attractive. The celebrities you have mentioned above - I'm not a fan of any of them nor I find them attractive. Just to make it more clear, the ones that I find attractive are likes of Keanu Reeves, Bradd Pitt or even Tom Cruise.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/02/2023 - 12:31

        I think you missed the point. They have billions of dollars between them and can afford all sorts of treatments and specialists - yet their money couldn't save their hair. What's the average Joe's chances with $150 a month via Chemist Warehouse?

        • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 12:44

          I get that but who knows if they really want hair or rather happy with staying bald.

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/02/2023 - 16:22

            @Camelface: That's what you'll have to work through, learning to live with it. Unfortunately you don't really have a choice.

  • Gunnar on 14/02/2023 - 19:06

    OP this is a write up I did on experiences of mine
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/12385995/redir

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 09:24

      Thanks for sharing, and it seems to be the general feeling of the majority.

  • SBOB on 14/02/2023 - 19:31
    +1

    Good enough for Bruce Willis, good enough for anyone else :)

    #0 clippers and embrace the savings in hairdressers and shampoo

  • cashless on 14/02/2023 - 20:29
    +1

    Embrace nature.
    And if your username is anything to go by, you have bigger problems ahead

    • Camelface on 05/03/2023 - 18:35

      Hahah ,,, one crisis at a time. The face will be on a different post.

  • MoonlapseVertigo on 14/02/2023 - 21:54
    +4

    Hey dude, I’m in the similar boat to you now. Closer to 40 now than 30, had perfectly thick hair until 35, then over the last 2 years, started having my crown exposed and now front area very thin.

    Had my first kid at 33 so no doubt that had something to do with it stress wise. My family has no history of baldness so I’m so confused too. I reckon the water in my area is shit and has to do with it, any mate of mine who lives here has also lost their hair. Something to consider.

    Tried regaine for about 2 weeks, made me extremely angry as a side affect, like proper angry. Wanted to punch hole in wall for the smallest little issue. So I stopped that immediately and told my wife I’m going to embrace my balding as an older guy.

    I’m a bit overweight and have just gone down as far as I can go without a buzz cut. Need to grow a pair of balls and just shave it. But it’s like letting go of something that’s not even there, from a psych perspective. The overweight part has to do with my view of, shaved head and overweight isn’t a great look, so going to hit the gym and try to bulk up a bit in prep for my buzz cut. Also noticed lots of dudes wearing glasses when they go down the buzz cut road. It seems to match the look. So might go to spec savers and get a pair of trendy specs with normal lenses, as I don’t need help reading or anything.

    Just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone, it’s a confusing era of your life and so weird to imagine, having gone from full head of hair to thinning to almost nothing. I now get hair jelousy hahahaha

    All the best, embrace it. Remember, you look exactly how you are supposed to look and always will. Anyone who tries to use it as a way to belittle or insult you simply has their own issues and they can jump off a Cliff.

    Take care

    TLDR; same position as you, screw the haters, get some glasses, go gym, don’t try regaine, embrace it

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 09:31

      Thanks. Probably the most helpful and inspiring comment.

  • 7ekn00 on 14/02/2023 - 22:20

    Completely eliminated the loss from a ring on the crown of my head the size of a 50c piece by switching diet (and I have 10 years on you), it took 6 months, but it is completely gone now (worked better than any product I ever tried) :/

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 09:25
      +1

      What specific diet are you referring here? Went vegan?

      • 7ekn00 on 15/02/2023 - 10:55
        +2

        LOL vegan accelerates it, I went carnivore 5 years ago, got rid of a heap of issues ;)

        • GG57 on 15/02/2023 - 11:00

          Full on carnivore? Nothing else but meat?

          • 7ekn00 on 15/02/2023 - 11:02
            +1

            @GG57: 100% meat, also went one meal a day (which promotes the secretion of "growth hormone", which only shows up ~ 16 hours after a meal)

            Growth hormone promotes a lot of rapid healing and repair of all body tissues …

            Here is a result from last week: heart artery calcium score 5 years ago - 102, last weeks score: 0

            • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 11:44
              +1

              @7ekn00: Stuff the hair. I wouldn't do this.

              • 7ekn00 on 15/02/2023 - 12:03
                +2

                @Camelface: Did it for health reasons (to reverse the multiple affects of diabetes), the hair was just a curious observation along the way ;)

  • Sinnerator on 15/02/2023 - 08:48

    Shave it all off and suck a lollipop

    https://www.google.com/search?q=kojak+lollipop&client=firefo…

  • Dejaar on 15/02/2023 - 10:18

    Have a look on reddit. One group is tressless. If u seRch hairloss on there u will see plenty of success stories.
    The go to combo is finasteride 1mg tablet, minoxodil twice a day and use that ketacome 2% shampoo twice a week.

  • Mythreesons on 15/02/2023 - 12:11

    My brother was going bald, could see his scalp through his hair and nearly no hair at the top of head. He started taking something called “hairy pill”, took it for a couple of months didn’t notice a difference, they told him to take a higher amount and his hair is now noticeably thicker and the bald spot is gone, he said it has taken nearly a year. Not sure if it would work for receding hairlines, but his hair is thicker.

    • Camelface on 15/02/2023 - 17:41
      +1

      In my case it's really not thinning, but the hair is pretty much gone in the front. I think I have already passed the stage that your brother was going through.

  • Loopholio on 16/02/2023 - 01:38

    Find out whatever Daniel Tosh (host of Tosh.0) used. It won't be cheep, but it will look amazing.

    • Camelface on 16/02/2023 - 13:02

      Did some googling, and he has actually gone through a hair transplant treatment.

  • Lomax on 16/02/2023 - 13:16
    +1

    My crown area started to get exposed when I was 30 (not married yet during that time), and getting wider and wider. I have quite thick hair everywhere else (ugh), so I thought I could fix this thinning hair easily. Tried minoxidil (external), minoxidil (oral), scalp massage, acupuncture, changed my diet, exercised. Nothing works (minoxidil works only when you are using it - and I stop using minoxidil oral since I had health problem). Only transplant the one I didn't do (I even wore wig for couple of weeks!). I spent my hard earned $, time, and nothing changed. I felt upset and depressed - more because what I did didn't meet my expectation (and the service provider's promises).

    So I shaved - bit strange (and hate) to see my face for a while, but now I accept what I have (or haven't :D). At least this works for me.

  • mrdean on 21/02/2023 - 13:48
    -1

    Hair loss is interesting. Why do men seem disproportionately affected?

    One interesting idea is toxins/poisons. Think radiation exposure or chemotherapy in cancer treatment, or workplace exposures (a noticeable one is male cops who spend a lot of time wearing electronic gadgets on their chests), or as is more common now general life exposures. Hair falls out.

    Men have various ways of eliminating toxins or the breakdown of cellular material that needs to be expelled, they generally are through the skin, breath, kidneys/urine, bowels. Women also have these routes of elimination, but they also have a secret weapon (or curse some might say) that men don't have. A monthly cycle that expels all manner of stuf, at least up to a certain age.

    Yeah, it's pretty interesting.

    • Camelface on 21/02/2023 - 21:14

      Well I haven't done any studies on this topic, but I think women do lose hair as well, just as men, but since the growth rate is high, the net effect is not as noticeable as in men.

      • mrdean on 22/02/2023 - 10:02

        Interesting, thanks for the reply.

    • reactor-au on 22/02/2023 - 09:59

      Because men have a ton more androgens, DHT specifically

      • Camelface on 23/02/2023 - 12:13

        Going by genetics, men have xy chromosome, whereas females have xx chromosome. The researchers have found that y chromosome is responsible for pattern baldness, which is only applicable to men.

        • reactor-au on 23/02/2023 - 12:20

          Yes its why woman have less variability than men, the XX means woman have a backup on each pair. At least that is my understanding. Can't say I've seen anything about it relating to baldness specifically.

        • mrdean on 23/02/2023 - 12:20
          -1

          Chromosomes, genes, dna are responsive to environmental & inner biological & mental conditions. They interact on more than one level & are involved in a multitude of processes that can result in physical expression. We are surrounded by many factors that can either suppress & block expression or minimize it, or even promote expression.

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