I searched around and was a bit surprised I didn't see one of these, knowing that Facepunch has an aging userbase.
So basically this is a thread to talk about MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) and hopefully I post this in the right section.. if not can a mod please move it? Thanks!
I'm an 18 year old male, I've been balding since the age of 16, I've got receded temples and thinning around the crown area (My hair used to be REALLY thick) So I've been really self conscious about this issue. I've gone to great lengths of research and seen various dermatologists and doctors and sorted out and found a fair bit of real information regarding this.
[U]So firstly I want to start off with some information regarding MPB and the science behind it.[/U]
Androgenic alopecia (MPB) is caused by hair follicles being sensitive to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is a hormone converted from testosterone which is responsible for the growth of facial hair and defining you as a man. DHT comes from three types of enzymes, 5α-reductase R1 (type 1), 5α-reductase R2 (type 2) and 5α-reductase R3 (type 3).
[B]5α-R1[/B] - Primarily responsible for the male growth in the body during puberty, turning you into a man. R1 is directly correlated to muscular strength and bone density.
[B]5α-R2[/B] - The main culprit for male pattern baldness, this enzyme leads to DHT being in the scalp, miniaturizing the hair follicles and leading to baldness. R2 also correlates to prostate size and seminal volume.
[B]5α-R3[/B] - Not much is known about R3, however a lack of R3 can reduce testosterone and DHT levels.
So we have 5α-R2, the enzyme responsible for the DHT found on your scalp. Throughout your life after puberty, the enzyme continually synthesis DHT in your scalp, causing the constant loss of hair over your life time. Some people like myself are lucky enough to have early onset of MPB, which means our bodies are producing DHT at the scalp at a much higher rate than other people, we have higher levels of the 5α-R2 synthase. This does not mean we are more manly than people who do not experience MPB, contrary to some popular belief. It just means we were blessed with different genetics. While people who do not experience MPB may have lower levels of 5α-R2, they would have a normal level of 5α-R1 which is mostly responsible for the development into a man and the growth of the male genitalia.
There's also a lot of common myths surround baldness, which can be found [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgenic_alopecia#Myths"]here[/URL].
[B][U]How do I know I have MPB?[/U][/B]
If your fringe is thinning, hair is retreating and creating the M shape and the hair on your crown is becoming thin too, you've most likely got male pattern baldness. If you're loosing clumps and patches of hair all over your hair it's unlikely that it's MPB.
So, we have two choices here! We accept the condition and just shave our heads or look into treatment. I know some of you don't give a shit if you go bald, but a lot of guys do. And it's a widespread cause of depression among people with early onset baldness.
[B][U]Treatment of MPB[/U][/B]
I will only put in FDA approved treatment as I don't want to spread misinformation about stupid schemes and "Snake Oil" products which are a waste of money.
[B]Approved Treatments[/B]
Alright, these are the two methods which guarantee results and actually WORK.
[B]Finasteride[/B]
Finasteride is sold under two names, Proscar and Propecia. Proscar is a 5mg tablet and Propecia is the 1mg variant. - These are taken once daily
Both of these tablets are 5α-R2 inhibitors, they block it from synthesizing testosterone into DHT on the scalp. Yes, and it also shrinks your prostate and lowers seminal volume by 5 - 10%. So instead of say 2.5ml, you'll get 2.25ml ejaculate. Finasteride is the ONLY approved drug that STOPS MPB in its tracks by inhibiting 5α-R2
Proscar is usually cut into quarters for people tight on money, however the Finasteride isn't evenly split across the tablet and can fluctuate the amount of 5α-R2 you are inhibiting, however this is not a huge issue as Finasteride continues to inhibit 5α-R2 for days after taking the tablet.
The Propecia variant is more expensive of the two, however involves nothing but just taking the tablet once a day and keeps a stable amount of Finasteride inhibiting 5α-R2.
The downside to Finasteride is that it also blocks a minuscule amount of 5α-R1 as well, however all dermatologists and doctors I have seen told me its so small that there is nothing to worry about. There is also a LOT of controversy surrounding Finasteride with claimed side effects such as ED (Erectile Dysfunction) and various other issues. There is no supporting evidence of this, I personally think it's just people blaming the drug for their own shortcomings. I might add some links to official studies later, there is no different from the placebo group to the group taking the drug in regards to ED and Depression which were the two main claimed side effects. I can also vouch, since I've been on Finasteride for about a year and I've noticed no side effects whatsoever, apart from the shit taste of the drug.
Since finasteride stops the synthesis of 5α-R2, it is a preventative measure and should work best if you catch MPB quickly. You can get regrowth from this, I've experienced some but not a whole heap, just strengthening of the hairline.
[B]Minoxidil[/B]
Minox is used by a lot of people and has been hailed the magical cure for baldness. Well yeah, that's a load of bullshit, it is and it isn't. My dermatologist explained that he would only recommend the 5% variant for MPB and nothing stronger because it was not necessary, and also explained the 2% variant was too weak. Minox must be applied 1 -2 times a day and is a topical treatment. Comes in a few forms, (Generic, Rogaine) which are the oily versions and are pretty uncomfortable to use and it needs to sit on your head for a few hours. And Regaine which is a foam, just massage it in and no worries.
Minoxidil works by stimulating the hair follicles on your head to revert to the anagen phase after being dormant, promoting new hair growth. However it is 'artificial' growth, if you stop using the treatment, say goodbye to your hair gains. Minox widens the blood vessels and causes all hairs in the telogen to shed then regrow in the anagen phase, so initial shedding may be off-putting but will cause thicker stronger hairs to grow in their place. Also, beware, this shit costs a lot for brand name solutions (Regaine and Rogaine) However I think forking out the premium for Regaine foam is worth it. Side effects to minoxidil can be irritation of the scalp, redness and itchyness. These side effects are rare but I'd urge you to stop if you see these.
Personally, I took the route of having treatment for my hairloss and I'm currently on Finasteride 1mg (Propecia) and I'm going to starting using 5% minoxidil in the coming months to thicken my hair further. Over the time I've been on finasteride I've held on to my hair and I've regrown a fair bit, without any side effects.
I've gone from a stage 2 on Norwood Classification to a stage 1. See below:
[IMG]http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/images/norwood_fig1.gif[/IMG]
[URL="http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/hair-loss/men/classification/"]Source[/URL]
Sorry if this OP is giant as fuck but the information is valuable for any of you other Facepunchers with early onset baldness like myself.
And I'd love if you could post and contribute to this and/or share your own stories.
I thought I was starting to go bald, figuring my suspicions were confirmed since my dad is almost totally bald, but my hairdresser told me I'm just being paranoid and talked me out of cutting all my hair off. What I suspected to be male pattern baldness may have just been the onset of traction alopecia (my hair is long and I had it parted in the same spot for ~2 years, this is apparently bad for it if you ever tie it back).
It's going to happen eventually though and when it does I'm probably just going to buzz it off.
If I start going bald I don't think it's going to bug me too much. I'll just shave it all off.
Same if I start going grey or white. I'm not gonna bother dying. I'm going to wear it with fucking pride and be a wise badass.
I have a receding hairline that I don't even fucking know if it's actually receding or not
FYI, a very small percentage of men actually get to keep their juvenile hairline past the age of ~20, so if your temples are looking thinner than usual, don't flip out right away.
OP you should probs put something like that in the OP
I am losing hair at an alarming rate, but its getting thin all over rather than receding. I've even lost the hair on my legs!
being bald would be nice.
No needing to worry about cleaning your hair, and you'd be real nice and comfy
My dads bald and my brother thinks that he's going bald, so theres a chance it might happen to me, and I'm not fussed.
just be honest about it and if your hair is something you care about (and you will) start using some preventives right now. its just delaying
I started going bald at 14. It was great. I had the stereotypical fat 50-year-old office worker -bald at 17. I just shave it all off now.
I just wish my ears weren't so big. I had a long, naturally curly hair that covered them nicely. Now they stand out way too much. :v:
[QUOTE=Araknid;42880966]being bald would be nice.
No needing to worry about cleaning your hair, and you'd be real nice and comfy[/QUOTE]
not when you consider the fact that a very small amount of men can pull off the bald look
[QUOTE=NotMeh;42881335]not when you consider the fact that a very small amount of men can pull off the bald look[/QUOTE]
The prospect of going bald actually made me hit the gym a lot more and building some brawn - being muscular and bald? You should be able to pull off this:
[video=youtube;hyjr8Pl2KRk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyjr8Pl2KRk[/video]
In fact, this is exactly what Vin Diesel did when he found out he was diffuse thinning - he shaved the rest of his hair off, hit the gym and is now an action hero and quite a hit with the ladies. Admittedly, a few have that perfect head shape to pull it off without being ridiculously brawny, but heck, it's still an option and there's nothing wrong about wanting to get fit.
Sorry but lifting to overcompensate for it will never fix shit bone structure/facial shape
I've got really thin hair, and a receding hairline. I have a really fucking big head so if I go bald i'll look retarded.
Scientifically proven the more you masturbate the more hair you lose.
I'm only 21 and my hair is already looking like II and perhaps even III
[QUOTE=NotMeh;42881335]not when you consider the fact that a very small amount of men can pull off the bald look[/QUOTE]
My brother and my dad can pull it off so I'd say I'd be okay.
dat slavic face structure
[QUOTE=Boss;42881564]Scientifically proven the more you masturbate the more hair you lose.[/QUOTE]
Well that explains EVERYTHING.
[QUOTE=Boss;42881564]Scientifically proven the more you masturbate the more hair you lose.[/QUOTE]
everyone would be fully bald by like 16
I've always had a very high hairline - resulting in one ginormous forehead. My Dad is completely bald so I thought that I might be headed that route, but he was balding by the time he was 18 and I just turned 20 and I've yet to see any significant hair loss.
I wish I had MPB on my pubes and facial hair.
Shaving is annoying.
I have a double crown, it often makes me fear I'm going bald when I get my haircut. Luckily my family have great genes for hair, and the males seem to have it even in old age.
You may try this man. Medical reports have it that the main cause of baldness is excessive male hormone, testosterone. You may wanna cut the amount in your body, that can help, at least have a try, it does no harm to your body. You may wanna do these. 1.eat food made of all kinds of beans, tofu for example. 2. reduce the amount of meat in your diet. 3. eat a little bit more carbohydrate, rice, bread that sort of things. You can have a try. Good luck! I hope your hair will come back.
I am paranoid about going bald. I have a rather large forehead that looks silly if I have my hair short. I also have moles and stuff on my head hidden by my hair.
If ever I find out that I really am going bald, I'm seeing a doctor straight away. I am not going bald. I refuse.
There. I hope my hair gets this message in time.
I got dermatitis at 15 which thinned about 1/3 of my hair and still hasn't grown back 6 years later, which sucks because baldness doesn't actually run in the family, I have it shaved because of this but luckily I look pretty good like this
Well I'm seeing regrowth with the help of that Regaine stuff and caffeine shampoo but it's painfully slow
[QUOTE=Laputa;42892564]I got dermatitis at 15 which thinned about 1/3 of my hair and still hasn't grown back 6 years later, which sucks because baldness doesn't actually run in the family, I have it shaved because of this but luckily I look pretty good like this
Well I'm seeing regrowth with the help of that Regaine stuff and caffeine shampoo but it's painfully slow[/QUOTE]
this wtf I used some strange shampoo and it gave me fucking dermatitis on my scalp (severe itching and hair loss) which slowly reduced over the course of a year. Hell it still itches a little now. I've lost roughly 1/3 of my hair from it (I used to have really thick hair so it's not that bad, but, you can still see my scalp a little.
I'm 18 now and at this point I don't even know what's going on any more. I don't notice any more hair loss and it's seemed to have normalized. But my hair isn't thickening back and I'm worried to fuck fuck that I'll go bald.
[QUOTE=Lurklet;42892837]this wtf I used some strange shampoo and it gave me fucking dermatitis on my scalp (severe itching and hair loss) which slowly reduced over the course of a year. Hell it still itches a little now. I've lost roughly 1/3 of my hair from it (I used to have really thick hair so it's not that bad, but, you can still see my scalp a little.
I'm 18 now and at this point I don't even know what's going on any more. I don't notice any more hair loss and it's seemed to have normalized. But my hair isn't thickening back and I'm worried to fuck fuck that I'll go bald.[/QUOTE]
Haha yes, that's how I got my dermatitis, shampoo, my mum's TresEmme crap in fact, it burned for 2 or 3 days and the hair started falling out
This is why I'll never use women's shampoo again, it's so full of useless irritative shit
my beautiful thick hair covers my weird head shape and gigantic mole on my scalp, if I ever went bald I think I'd become a recluse
been using nizoral a bit even though I'm showing no signs of balding at all, just being safe
I've got a mole right on my hairline, not a big sticky-outy mole, but there is a reason I part my hair on the left and not the right.
My dad is very very bald, but I appear to have received my mother's genes (yay!).
21 year old, hair line started receding/thinning at the front (Stage II in that diagram).
OP, how much does your medication cost you?
[editline]18th November 2013[/editline]
More importantly, how long did it take for the effect to be noticeable?
hey now I wouldn't downplay the side effects on finasteride. I thought people were exaggerating it too, but the risk IS real, and you could be potentially risking permanent ED (I think this is very, very rare though.)
it appears that its actually alot more common then the studies let on, the erectile dysfunction problem (maybe not permanent but some form of it) at least. so you know need to figure out if your sex life is important to you.. if you're not getting any then hey I guess no problem.
getting the sides don't have an incredibly high chance though, but a lot of people have also observed despite seeming fine at first when they came off the drug a few months/years later then they started noticing issues. anything like finasteride that seriously fucks up your hormonal balance and is messing with your endocrine system (I think that's what it does?) doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
I don't want to scare anyone out of using it though, I'm still seriously considering getting on it myself as a male who's turning 20 soon and thinning at the temples. It really sucks and I want to combat this before it gets any worse and actually noticeable, but I can't deny that there are some really real risks to using finasteride that could have long term repercussions.
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