Hey all - I'm new to the forum and figured I'd introduce myself and welcome any advice on my situation (mods - if I'm posting in the wrong place, apologies in advance).
I'm 30 years old (31 soon) in NYC. Hairline has been receding since age 19 and the top of my head is thinning as well. I've used Minoxodil on and off from the beginning (started with Rogaine, now using Lipogaine daily). Never tried finasteride and would most likely not consider it at this point.
I've toyed around with the idea of an HT for years but have only recently become serious about pursuing one. I'm hitting an inflection point with my hair loss where I need to decide whether to go the buzzcut route or get an HT; the "in-between" is just not working anymore for a single, in-shape and otherwise (except for the hair!) good-looking guy my age. I've tried the buzzcut before and while it looks OK, it doesn't reflect my self-image (I'm a well-built / athletic guy with pale skin and the buzzcut just makes me look too aggressive / unapproachable).
Last year, I discovered Dermatch and Toppik fibers and have been using them with some success on the weekends - they basically allow me to achieve the illusion of a fuller (though still receded) hairline. It's not perfect but it has boosted my confidence when going out and dating. The problem is I don't use these during the week for work (so it sometimes feels like living a "double life") and there are always the usual concerns around whether it is styled perfectly and whether other people are noticing. It's not a long-term solution...
I'm including pictures for context. Here is my hair out of the shower (can clearly see the advanced receding and thinning - not sure of the exact Norwood type):
This is the regular day-to-day appearance at work (can clearly see the recession). Note the reason I keep my hair this long in the front is because it works better with the Toppik (otherwise I'd cut it much shorter - also part of the problem of living a "double life"):
And this is with Dermatch and Toppik (I like to think it at least hides the thinning):
If you guys made it this far, thanks for reading and I'd love to get some feedback:
- Does anyone have a similar case / age / pattern to mine? Would love to connect.
- Any doctors you'd recommend I consult with (esp. those who have good results with cases like mine)?
- What kind of hairline can I realistically expect from an HT?
- How bad will it get down the line if I only use Minoxidil to maintain?
- Any other tips / advice / / next steps to consider
Like I said, I'm based in NYC but am willing to travel. So far, I've done one consultation with a doctor in the NYC metro area and was completely unimpressed (won't name names but he basically rushed me through the process and drew a hairline that I thought was way too low and unrealistic). Cost is not a priority here - my goal is good aesthetics that are appropriate for my age and that I can maintain going forward.
Thanks guys - good to finally get the ball rolling here!