Male pattern hair loss - what are you doing about it ?

[dahliaaa]

I'm hoping there will be others here with the same.
I'm post menopause and my grandmother had very similar hair so I'm assuming it's hereditary (?)

My hair at the front / top and temples has become very noticeably thinner and it's getting increasingly difficult to hide.

I've tried specialist shampoos / vitamins / supplements etc over the last couple of years but nothing seems to help.

This photo isn't me - found it on Google but my hair is very similar now

A woman at my work wears those 1950s land girl style hair band/scarf things which look very good.

I did wonder about headscarf's but they don't seem to hold in place very well.
I've also seen some toppers on Instagram which are a smaller version of a wig.

I started taking iron to see if it makes a difference.

Are you on HRT?

Hrt is the answer if you aren't on it already

HRT made my hair loss worse, I stopped using it for this reason. It hasn’t grown back to the lush thick hair it was, but the loss has stopped and it’s not as noticeable

I have an aunt in her 70s who has exactly the same hair. She did a pixie cut, died it silver. Looks absolutely amazing.

Unfortunately HRT didn't help with my hair.

@sillyme563 I'm only in my early 50's so was surprised / upset that it's got so thin at this age

I have had thin hair since I was in my teens...

I take hair and skin vitamins, use minoxidil and keep it short with a pixie cut. I also keep it a light blond colour as well which shows less contrast against the visible scalp than dark hair colours.

The above has improved the condition a bit.

I also often wear hats and scarfs.

I don't think about so much these days but I must say it did affect my self-esteem when I was younger.

I'm a lot older than you. The thinning started in my late sixties.

Like you I fear it's hereditary but I have improved it a bit.

My iron levels were at the lower end of normal so I've been taking iron and it has helped, albeit slowly, enough that it's less obvious. I think vitamin D may help too.

I also take collagen which I seem to benefit from generally but it doesn't seem to have done much for my hair.

At the moment I'm trying Champo growth serum. It's probably a waste of money but I'm willing to give anything a go.

Thank you for the tips. I've got some of the champo serum. I wear lots of hats too. I might have a look at 'toppers.'

I saw a small improvement with the Champo, and also wearing a Silke silk turban at night. (Not the most glamorous of looks…)

Iron, B vitamins, Marmite, lighter hair colour (also bleach expands the cuticle so it appears thicker). But above all Minoxidil. I've had this issue for at least ten years now and this combination has almost sorted it.

Hair fibres are good for coverage. So are dry shampoo sprays that match your hair colour.

Spironolactone was brilliant, but gave me lumpy boobs which I worried about!

Things that haven't helped... HRT hasn't changed my hair one way or the other. Rosemary oil was useless.

I was the same and bought a hair topper, wish I had done it years ago. In five minutes I look like I have had my hair professionally styles. So natural too, I do mention it to close friends and family and they thought it was natural. I was lucky I started wearing it after Covid lockdown so no-one noticed my hair loss and new gain. Only cost £60 too. Photo was before I had trimmed, styled etc.

@Peaceloveandhappiness that is cheap at £60.

Yes, but not real hair, also only a topper not a full wig.

That looks really natural @Peaceloveandhappiness
Do you mind if I ask where you got it from ?

Her daughter (my cousin) is early 40s and it's already happened to her

Mine is similar to your photo but it happened when I was much younger. A doctor was a bit harsh with me, but it actually really helped - he said this is something natural that happens to lots of people, just more men than women.
In terms of looking your best, a lighter hair colour and shorter layers on top, and/or side parting help.

You were on it or you are?

My hair got bad during peri menopause. I remember sitting in my car and glancing in the mirror and I could see my scalp, I always wear my hair up in a loose do with a butterfly clip, and was thinking shit I can't even get away with that anymore.

I started using minoxidil on the advice of my GP and my har has massively improved, it doesn't feel so fragile and Is so much thicker.

@whiteshutters i am on it. It hasn’t helped hair unfortunately (I know it does for some people.)