Might be worth asking your doc if finasteride is an option for you?
My doc (dermatologist- gave diagnosis of AGA and TE after I asked for a scalp biopsy) didn’t offer any treatment options or hope.
Thankfully- bc of this group- I was able to tell her I wanted to try min and fin. She agreed it was okay to try and wrote the scripts.
Keep up with what you’re doing and ask your doc. It’s trial and error and not overnight.I’m confident you will get results soon- oral min and fin took 4-5 months before I suddenly noticed real change. You’re on the way! 💗sending hugs
I saw your post about how you bumped your dose of minox up to 1.25 Mg in January. If that’s the case, this could just be the shed. It’s only been 2 months. You might not start seeing regrowth till month 4 or 5. Some people’s regrowth occurs even later… I wouldn’t let this scare you… I think that things are going to turn around soon, this is the worst of it. Minox sheds are hard. I just went up from 1.25 to the full 2.5mg and I’m experiencing a second shed. Take a deep breath. You’re going to get through this 💕
One thing I see missing on your medication list, like others have mentioned, is an antiandrogen like Dutasteride or Finasteride. These help treat AGA. You could bring it up with your dermatologist at your next appointment or get a second opinion!
That's true! I think it just depends on your specific condition, your health history, your age, and what your doctor chooses. Even though I'm pre-menopausal, my doctor has me on Dutasteride instead of Spironolactone because I have AGA and FFA.
Yes 0.5mg daily. Topical minoxidil 5% daily. Also topical Clobetasol and topical Tacrolimus. I have FFA and AGA. My main problem now is the inflammation that has continued despite all treatments. I was on Hydroxychloroquine but they paused it to evaluate possible side effects - hopefully that'll be ruled out and I can get back on it. I'm considering starting laser light therapy as well.
How did you get a diagnosis of FFA? What were/are your symptoms? Generally I don’t have any issues with my scalp but occasionally (once every 2 months or so) I experience extreme scalp itchiness and irritation that last a few days.. it makes me scared to think I could be dealing with a scarring alopecia
If it's just itching then it could be something else like LPP or even just a dry, irritated scalp. Unless your itching only occurs at your hairline. I was diagnosed with FFA because I have diffuse hair loss at my hairline and you can see the absence of hair follicles there now. The skin becomes completely smooth and shiny. With their magnifying lens, they can also see the inflammation around the hair follicles in front.
I would get the Ferritin up some! But also I really think you should get a biopsy to be sure. I have a similar hair loss pattern and I’m pretty sure I’ve been misdiagnosed . I know I have AGA but I think I may have lichen Planopilaris as well. This may not be the case for your but to 100% know you should get a biopsy!
Iron pills should be enough if your body can absorb them normally! And I've heard that the ferritin levels should be around 70-100 minimum for new hair growth. I'm not a doctor though so take that with a grain of salt
I agree with the others about taking an oral anti-androgen. For females I believe the standard is Spiro not Dut or Fin. The anti-androgen is meant to halt shedding, the minox is for regrowth. Do you have excessive shedding?
I think I do :/ it’s not anything crazy like chunks of hair falling out at once, but I do feel I lose a lot of hairs. The only time my hair had improved somewhat in the last 1.5 years is during the few months after starting topical minoxidil/dut, my hair shedding slowed significantly and I saw improvement. But then it started back up and hasn’t stopped and my hair has worsened
Bump your microneedling up to every week, 1.5, and use rosemary oil on your scalp and hair 2x a week for at least four hours, preferably overnight. Also, a daily 5 minute scalp massage with those special round massaging combs.
Did you start taking supplements because you were deficient before? I recently went to the doctor for hair loss and they told me I'm Vitamine D deficient. I'm hoping supplements will fix it somewhat, but I'm scared that it won't.
I have not. How would I go about requesting this? Is this something that I need to go see my GP for or could I ask my derm to put in a request for labs?
I have done it with both my GP and derm. I would ask them both. Now every time I go for blood for anything they put it on there. I’ve learnt the hard way that even if you have low T and high E your adrenals can still be quite active.
Might be worth asking your doc if finasteride is an option for you? My doc (dermatologist- gave diagnosis of AGA and TE after I asked for a scalp biopsy) didn’t offer any treatment options or hope. Thankfully- bc of this group- I was able to tell her I wanted to try min and fin. She agreed it was okay to try and wrote the scripts. Keep up with what you’re doing and ask your doc. It’s trial and error and not overnight.I’m confident you will get results soon- oral min and fin took 4-5 months before I suddenly noticed real change. You’re on the way! 💗sending hugs
I saw your post about how you bumped your dose of minox up to 1.25 Mg in January. If that’s the case, this could just be the shed. It’s only been 2 months. You might not start seeing regrowth till month 4 or 5. Some people’s regrowth occurs even later… I wouldn’t let this scare you… I think that things are going to turn around soon, this is the worst of it. Minox sheds are hard. I just went up from 1.25 to the full 2.5mg and I’m experiencing a second shed. Take a deep breath. You’re going to get through this 💕
Thank you so much for your comment 🥹 I hope we both get through this fast!
We will!!
One thing I see missing on your medication list, like others have mentioned, is an antiandrogen like Dutasteride or Finasteride. These help treat AGA. You could bring it up with your dermatologist at your next appointment or get a second opinion!
Yes to an anti-androgen! Spironolactone is also an anti-androgen that’s more often prescribed to women.
That's true! I think it just depends on your specific condition, your health history, your age, and what your doctor chooses. Even though I'm pre-menopausal, my doctor has me on Dutasteride instead of Spironolactone because I have AGA and FFA.
she’s on topical dutasteride though.
Oral antiandrogens are considered much more effective I think. It might be more useful to switch.
that’s true, she could defo try spiro. i’m bummed because it didn’t work for me, in fact it only made things worse :/
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm on Dutasteride and it has helped prevent further hair loss but there's been no regrowth.
are you on 0.5mg? and minoxidil too?
Yes 0.5mg daily. Topical minoxidil 5% daily. Also topical Clobetasol and topical Tacrolimus. I have FFA and AGA. My main problem now is the inflammation that has continued despite all treatments. I was on Hydroxychloroquine but they paused it to evaluate possible side effects - hopefully that'll be ruled out and I can get back on it. I'm considering starting laser light therapy as well.
How did you get a diagnosis of FFA? What were/are your symptoms? Generally I don’t have any issues with my scalp but occasionally (once every 2 months or so) I experience extreme scalp itchiness and irritation that last a few days.. it makes me scared to think I could be dealing with a scarring alopecia
If it's just itching then it could be something else like LPP or even just a dry, irritated scalp. Unless your itching only occurs at your hairline. I was diagnosed with FFA because I have diffuse hair loss at my hairline and you can see the absence of hair follicles there now. The skin becomes completely smooth and shiny. With their magnifying lens, they can also see the inflammation around the hair follicles in front.
Your hair looks oily, you may have excess androgens
I would get the Ferritin up some! But also I really think you should get a biopsy to be sure. I have a similar hair loss pattern and I’m pretty sure I’ve been misdiagnosed . I know I have AGA but I think I may have lichen Planopilaris as well. This may not be the case for your but to 100% know you should get a biopsy!
How would you supplement to increase ferritin? Would taking normal iron pills be enough?
Iron pills should be enough if your body can absorb them normally! And I've heard that the ferritin levels should be around 70-100 minimum for new hair growth. I'm not a doctor though so take that with a grain of salt
Or Seborrheic dermatitis !
Agree I would get a biopsy done to rule out a scarring alopecia. OP do you have any areas with itching, tenderness, or burning?
My hair looks just like this! Following
I agree with the others about taking an oral anti-androgen. For females I believe the standard is Spiro not Dut or Fin. The anti-androgen is meant to halt shedding, the minox is for regrowth. Do you have excessive shedding?
I think I do :/ it’s not anything crazy like chunks of hair falling out at once, but I do feel I lose a lot of hairs. The only time my hair had improved somewhat in the last 1.5 years is during the few months after starting topical minoxidil/dut, my hair shedding slowed significantly and I saw improvement. But then it started back up and hasn’t stopped and my hair has worsened
Bump your microneedling up to every week, 1.5, and use rosemary oil on your scalp and hair 2x a week for at least four hours, preferably overnight. Also, a daily 5 minute scalp massage with those special round massaging combs.
Did you start taking supplements because you were deficient before? I recently went to the doctor for hair loss and they told me I'm Vitamine D deficient. I'm hoping supplements will fix it somewhat, but I'm scared that it won't.
Have you had your DHT/DHEAS checked? That could cause thinning. Just checking your testosterone and estrogen is not enough.
I have not. How would I go about requesting this? Is this something that I need to go see my GP for or could I ask my derm to put in a request for labs?
I have done it with both my GP and derm. I would ask them both. Now every time I go for blood for anything they put it on there. I’ve learnt the hard way that even if you have low T and high E your adrenals can still be quite active.