NikosHair

It would be national news if they found a way to reverse greying. If you think there is money in finding a cure for balding, you could almost double it for a cure for greying. Stress has been found to accelerate greying; conversely, removing stress can help restore some of the pigment.

Subscription models very much work on customer apathy and inertia. They remove the friction between purchasing an item and paying for it. Of course, a one-off purchase using a credit card is easier than physically handing over the cash but subscriptions are a marketer's wet dream. Companies know people are more likely to do nothing than do something. Spending money on a bottle of Jollop requires an action on your part. In contrast, a subscription purchase requires inaction, which is much better for the company's bottom line. Using the example of a gym membership. Just like the subscription for a topical, the gym says, 'No contract - cancel anytime'. They know it requires action on your part to cancel. The reason you joined the gym was to get rid of the dad bod (or regain hair in the topical example), you can't stand how your appearance has slipped. By cancelling the sub, you effectively throw in the towel and accept your fate.

It's a tattoo that fades, and you need top-ups. You have plenty of donor, so the real hair route is what I would take. I'd give it 12 months to see if it improves. Concealer eg. DermMatch could help in the short term.

It's still early days, but removing grafts from a concentrated area was wrong. Give it time, it's a relatively straightforward fix (in the right hands). FU's would be harvested and placed in the sparse strips. The advantage over SMP is the end result should look like it did before surgery and there is no ongoing maintenance/cost.

Medicine doesn't work that way. It is not considered to work until credible studies prove it does work. The study cited in the opening post is credible, but it also showed significant a systemic reduction in DHT.

I believe the best surgeons do care, as do their staff, that's why they are successful. It's true, some lose their way and look to cash out, and others unfortunately, get the 'god complex', but the idea that caring for your patient and making money is mutually exclusive is a fallacy.

The main market for topicals is customers who get sides from orals. The reaction to the meds is wide-ranging. These are precisely the people that aren't looking for a 6-month subscription-based commitment. They need to experiment and find the dose that works for them. For some, a bottle may last a month for others 3 months. Not adamant, just sceptical until proven otherwise. If you take the XYON product the only study conducted was carried out by the founder on 6 patients and it didn't even show it grew hair🙄 But as you say it's about making money ....

If anyone is still in any doubt that the marketers are all over this. The use of a subscription-based is another example. Companies love to sign you up for subscriptions. They understand that customer apathy is real. How many people have signed up for audiobooks, gym memberships, recipe boxes, etc only to find they get very little use/value out of the product/service? Of course, it's just business and people are free to spend their money as they see fit.

I agree. There is very little credible evidence it has any effect on hair loss prevention. If it was effective Nizorol would be able to label it up as a hair loss cure/prevention and cash in.

Go for it - Fin has an excellent safety profile. Remember, it is considered safe at 5mg daily for its original use. You won't know unless you try. Give it 12 months or longer on the meds before getting a transplant.

Welcome improvement 👍 Now we just need some standardization/guidance on subject headings in the HT review section. 'WhooHoo I've done it' Vs Doc name/ No. of grafts/ Date of surgery.

Very good interview. Plenty of good questions and responses from the doctor. I'll give you a pass on the bit where you led the witness over the best delivery vehicle for topicals😉 The section (towards the end of the vid) where you mentioned the guy losing hair in the crown after 25 years on Fin. I think this does have some parallels to the OP. The doc referred to switching completely from fin to dut for non-responders. If there were a follow-up interview, I'd push him on what he defines as a non-responder. If someone has been responding for 8 or 25 years, what is the explanation they become a non-responder. Is this a clinical diagnosis? i.e. Fin no longer reduces DHT to the level it had done previously? @jim1973 keep us posted on what you decide and how it works out for you/ Until we have the data that people can become 'non-responders' having been responders, then I'm sticking to the ageing/lifestyle theory. Drawing a comparison with another organ, the skin. People slap on their favourite moisturizer and lather up on tretinoin in the hope of holding back the hands of time. Perhaps they look better for their age as a result. Ageing always wins. It's not that the beauty products have stopped working or they have become non-responders to tret. Derek @ MPMD discusses the subject at 9:28

I like it 👍 It should create big visual improvement, providing you get decent density in the recipient site. I wouldn't be a fan of lowering the hairline anymore, as your hair looks fairly straight and fine. Perhaps you can provide photos pre-hairloss?

Sounds like you are ahead of many 50+ guys. I'm a believer in focusing on the things you can control. Resistance/weight training is hugely beneficial for body image and overall health. Perhaps if you put up some photos pre and post-shed and others may offer advice if you should chase the hair aesthetics or just own it by accepting your fate. Regarding the meds and your healthy lifestyle, I would consider adding Dutasteride twice a week to the finasteride. September is still a way off, so see if you can regain some ground before deciding.

You don't say how old you are, but a lot will change physiologically with age, especially into middle age and older. There's a common misconception that the effect of DHT inhibitors stop working over time. The reality is hair follicles are organs and just like the rest of the organs in our body they deteriorate over time (I know ageing sucks!). Rather than focus on trying to find a new cocktail of drugs (BTW, Topicals would be a waste of money), look at ways to improve your overall health & fitness. Lifestyle and stress levels are big contributors to the ageing process. As @Mike10 correctly identified, genes are a significant factor.

Interesting discussion on the various emerging treatments for hair loss, which is well worth a listen. More specifically, the subject of the most effective delivery vehicle for topical Dutasteride. Dr. Sergio Vaño response was 'the best vehicle would facilitate penetration of these high weight molecules'. (from 33mins 35secs) It's worth noting the doctor uses oral meds on several consecutive days with a break and mesotherapy (injection) of Dutasteride on his patients that experience sides on daily meds.

Pain thresholds are person-specific but pain and numbness are very common (nothing to be too concerned about at this stage). As @jay80 says it should sort itself out in a matter of weeks.

Only take it for as long as you want to keep your hair😊

The only way you will know if you get side effects to DHT Inhibitors is to try them. The safety profile for oral finasteride is excellent. Most people who take it do so with no sides. They just re-grow hair/hold on to their native hair for longer. If you are one of the small minority that is unlucky, then drop the dose or take it every other day.

Yes! Looks amazing - the juxtaposition of the clean white stucco against the backdrop of the savage rocky landscape. Only spoilt by that burd blocking my view ... damn that finasteride😊

Buy your finasteride with a $250,000 credit limit on your credit card, and I'm sure you'll be a hit with ladies.

Guys as the official OP can I be the voice of reason (Now we are in trouble😊) Where are these instructions?

I agree. You really need to give it 6 months to give it a fair chance to make a difference. Keep us updated on how it goes. I'm sure there are many on the board that will be interested.👍

x2. Looked to be progressing well.

That sounds promising. Have you seen improvements?