1 month vs 10 months into treatment with HERS topical serum nightly. Really happy with my hair now and can actually wear it down and not look like Gollum. Had a bad dread shed at 1 month and less so at 6 months.
Started GHK-CU peptide about a month ago, but haven’t noticed any hair differences.
Hi, guys!! I (27F) was diagnosed with AGA in October 2024 (at 25) after somebody on social media with a family history of it pointed it out to me on a public post in May of the same year. There were few AMAs around that time, especially among people my age who don't take oral supplements. I remember when I was first figuring things out, I was so scared. You hear things about the side effects of minoxidil or AGA progression and the like and honestly, you think you're doomed forever. And plus, it's a huge learning curve as a woman to learn that you are not your hair, even if it feels super cheesy. So two years later, now that I've been in a good place with it for a while, I'd love to help anyone who felt even remotely the way I did! Leave all your questions below and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Not even close! I cannot diagnose and I cannot assign treatment. If you're wondering if you have it, please speak to a professional! If you look high and low and find a good doc, it's completely worth it, and I cannot recommend it enough.
I am considering starting 5% foam on very targeted areas of my scalp. I’m concerned about my hair looking horribly greasy because I generally only wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week. I’d love some suggestions for 5% foams that people have used that they have found effective and to not make their hair horribly greasy.
My hair has gotten pretty thin and I really miss having some volume but extensions make me nervous. It feels like adding extra weight or tension could just make the problem worse. Has anyone here with fine/thinning hair tried extensions and had a good experience with them? Is there a certain type that puts less stress on your natural hair?
If youve tried extensions with thinning hair, how did it go?
Went in for my annual on Monday and discussed my hairloss--I have lost over half my hair in the last 2-3 months. I was able to show him how running my fingers through my hair will yield 20+ hairs at once that were just idling in the middle after falling out.
My doctor is very progressive and listens to me and as I told him "hey this subreddit of women like me suggested xyz" he turned his monitor to show me he was typing in orders for those labs.
Thyroid and hormone testing came back normal but the ferritin and general iron bloodwork are both low--and I have been on a 22mg iron supplement for years at this point. So I clearly need a boost in that departnent and I now have a plan for a higher and better absorbing type from him. We will retest in a few months and see where I am at then.
Unrelated but not necessarily--my general bloodwork revealed I have abnormal/high levels of white blood cells as well as neutrophil counts--meaning my body is fighting an infection somewhere. This isnt surprising as I had indicated to him in this appointment that I recently discovered an additional "hole" above my urethra which he visually confirmed (which was so incredibly validating) during my womens wellness exam. I need the urologist to confirm this to make it "official" (and of course the soonest consult I could schedule is 2 months out) but its something called a vesicovaginal fistual. I basically have a hole from my urethral area leaking through my vaginal canal. Its something I will need surgery to correct. This is more common in women post-birth and from hysterectomy surgeries but in my case it seems its likely been a slow degradation of the skin in that area. I have been suffering from general pain in that area for years, urine leaking, and signs that mimmic a UTI but tests for my urine would be negative for the bacteria of a UTI (despite those also showing high WBC counts!!)
I had an anal fistula (cute I know) back in 2023 I had surgically repaired/closed. Back then it was similar where my white bloodcell counts were high because the fistula is a continous infection. So, all of this to say, the vesicovaginal one is likely also a source of infection and my body is constantly working to fight it until it is surgically healed.
I experienced the loss of all 3 of my pets, I was the victim of a randomized violent crime, and had to do the full rabies protocol for a bat that was on my head in the last year. I thought those were all stressful enough to likely warrant the TE hairloss but it seems likely its also my body being in constant infection fighting mode that could be causing it as well. And of course, compounded with my low iron.
I am largely a quiet observer in this community but I cannot thank everyone enough for alwags being so brave and open with photos, stories, etc. Its been so cathartic. I am nearing shaving my head and seeing others boldly and bravely doing it has helped me build the confidence I have needed to finally commit to it as well. We are not alone. And it often feels that way because you rarely find people openly discussing female hairloss IRL. I sincerely appreciate everyone here so much. 🫶
In July of 2025, my hair hit an all time low. I caved and finally decided to pursue oral minoxidil.
The first images were taken 4 months after starting minoxidil. I didn’t have much of a dread shed, not that it mattered, as I had already lost a ton of hair due to my inconsistent use of topical minoxidil, Vitamin D deficiency, and iron deficiency. I started supplementing Vitamin D and hemo iron at the recommendation of my PCP (which by the way did wonders for my energy levels).
In January of 2026, I cut my hair to a chin length bob, and started over. My ends were still thin and wispy as the new growth has only made it a couple of inches from my scalp. The new growth has been hard to control because it has no weight to it, so I often find myself gelling it down. At the end of the day, I’m glad my hair has had a second chance, despite the growing pains of the grow out process. It’ll take a few years to look fuller, but I’m just happy to be on this journey. Eight months after my haircut, my hair has grown back to the same length that I started my journey at.
Finally, this last month I was diagnosed with AGA and spiro was added to my regiment. I’m excited to see how this changes my progress as well. I was given the option to also up my minoxidil (currently at 1.25), but I decided against it for now as I’ve had a few uncomfortable episodes where my blood pressure has dropped.
I’ve spent the last couple of years getting on every “vanity” med I could get, and it’s done wonders for my physical and mental health. My only regret is not starting sooner!
Sorry for the bad before pic
I have recently just started experiencing bald spots. I am a 20F and have usually had great hair but noticed my first bald spot on my right side scalp in the front about 3 months ago. The first bald spot isn’t as noticeable now but then the second bald spot appeared (or at least I just noticed it) in the same ish area at the very front of my scalp.
I am not sure what is causing this and wondering if anyone has any advice. I have been trying to find a good shampoo and conditioner as well. I started struggling with dandruff the last 6-7 months where it was really itchy in the beginning but now the dandruff is just there.
I saw a dermatologist and started using ciclopirox 1% shampoo a few times a week. I noticed the dandruff to show down after using but started to notice more dandruff appearing a few days ago. They recommend I use Clobetasol 0.05% solution for the first bald spot but I was traveling and haven’t applied as often as I should.
Thanks in advance!
I’ve been on oral minoxidil a year. Had a horrible dread shed which finally tapered down. Btw I had no shedding or real hair problems before just felt a little thinner. I’ve still not had much regrowth. I regret this medicine. I’m scared to try any of the DHT blockers for fear of another dread shed. Although I am now second shedding or stress shedding. I really want to quit Minoxidil and let my hair reset back to normal. Is it possible? Has anyone done it?
I’ve been balding since I was 11. I’m 18 now.
When I was about 13 I decided I wanted to try and figure out what was wrong with me. I went to the dermatologist, got a bunch of treatments (the very last thing I tried was minoxidil solution, and I also got a small biopsy but nothing really came out of it. The most they found was that I didn’t have scaring alopecia)
When I was about 16 I was tired of my hair. It felt like nothing was working. It was also greasy, and i was just annoyed. I shaved it all off, and I’ve had a buzz cut ever since.
But I’ve been looking back at old pictures, and I’ve realized that I did in fact have noticeable hair growth. It was still very thin, but I’m just so sad that I didn’t realize the improvement. I used to be so pretty with hair, and I wish I had seen that before.
I want to grow my hair longer again. I know it’ll still be thin, but it’s only really noticeable in some pictures… not that that’s important.. but idk. I’ve just been missing it a lot. It really only looks “bad” when it’s greasy, so I’d just have to wash it more.
But also, I really do think I can fix it. I just need to find the right treatment. I really don’t want to give up on my hair.
First pic is when I was 13. Second is near the end of the minoxidil treatment, and last pic is a few days ago.
I feel like my hair is thinning. I spoke to my dermatologist and she recommended nutrafol. Can anyone recommend alternatives that are more budget friendly? I can't justify $90/month
hello! first time poster, i just wanted to hear advice from anyone who was able to stop their abnormal hair shedding 🤍
I’m 23f and my hair is almost at my waist. it’s thin and straight but pretty abundant, and it’s been shedding a LOT since around may this year
I’ve counted my hair shedding before, and my normal hair shedding was around 50-100 strands per day. however, these days it’s around 250-300 and I’m very worried as it’s been a few months and my braid circumference is becoming super small :(
when i noticed this at first, i had blood work done for a range of tests but nothing was abnormal, but was recommended to a dermatologist. i haven’t done this yet as i want to rule out everything before spending money on a specialist
nothing in my life has changed drastically, except i lost a little bit of weight over 8 months by eating healthier and becoming more active
I’ve tried to promote more hair growth through scalp massages/stimulation, scalp serums, eating plenty of fiber and protein, and waiting it out
i sleep in protective hairstyles and take care of my lengths religiously with oiling and products - my lengths are healthy, it’s just my scalp I’m worried about!!
i love my long hair so much but its killing me that my scalp is becoming more visible and my hair density is decreasing.
**my questions:**
has this happened to anyone? what did you do to stop or reverse it? what was the cause for your own hair shedding, maybe I’m missing something here?
thank you to anyone that can give a bit of advice, i appreciate this sub lots!! 🤍🤍
I noticed it in an overhead photo first.
Everyone else looked normal and my scalp was reflecting light like it had its own flash 😭 Since then I keep checking my middle part under every harsh bathroom light, which is obviously helping my mental health a lot.
Most hair serum reviews I find are men checking their temples or hairline. Mine is not like that. My middle partition just looks wider than it did last year.
I’m getting iron, Vitamin D and thyroid checked. PCOS is also something I need to rule out, so I’m not expecting one bottle to solve whatever the actual cause is.
For now I started using the Pilgrim hair growth serum. Not claiming any growth yet, but it’s the first serum I haven’t abandoned after three nights. It’s basically water, doesn’t make my roots chipku and I don’t have to wash my hair before work the next morning.
That sounds like a small thing but working women know an oily scalp product is a whole additional schedule.
Has anyone here tracked a widening middle part properly? How do you tell whether it is actually improving and not just different lighting or a slightly different partition?
Been ignoring my hair for years as I’ve been dealing with other health issues. I got my iron and vitamin d up but things haven’t gotten much better. I do have low blood pressure and a cat, so hesitant to try either form of minoxidil. Also have been on spiro years ago but felt lightheaded and dizzy so ultimately went off of it. I have a lot of weddings and social events coming up and not sure if I should start treatment or wait till after.
I started first losing my hair around 20 years ago! I was still a teenager. I had a very severe anemia and I was left with 1/3 of my hair. Even though I improved my iron levels and ferritin - the hair didnt come back.
I decided to try minoxidil (5% foam - once a day) it was my New Years resolution. I started Jan 1st 2026.
I didnt have too many expectations. I said I will try for 6 mos and assess and I was shocked by the results. Dont lose hope even if you started losing hair long time ago like me.
My hairdresser says I've got fine hair in the front, and the internet says it's normal for fine hair to look like this. I've also shown my hair fallage in the shower and the internet also says it's relatively normal amount.
Health wise I've got hypothyroidism which I'm on meds for but also had anemia at one point which is now back to normal. Recent blood tests showed everything normal. Currently on 50 mcg levothyroxine and they want to wait until my results are a bit lower to lower my dose.
It looks worse when my hair is up but when down it seems to be a lot better.
Currently using L'Oréal growth serum almost every day along with umberto Giannini scalp serum almost after every wash.
Any advice?
Just like the title asks, has anyone used the helmet? I’ve been debating buying one. I’m currently on a spiro/ minoxidil combination pill and while it’s improved my shedding it’s done nothing for hair growth. I’ve been on it for 9 months now and was previously using foam minoxidil. I’ve also tried PRP and it did nothing. I was also considering buying a helmet because I’ve had paradoxical hypertrichosis using laser hair removal methods on other parts of my body. Thoughts?
i have 3c/4a hair and sadly i’m losing a lot of hair.
I’ve just bought minoxidil 5% and derm roller but everyone online it says to apply to a clean scalp and i can’t exactly find out what that means.
i wash my hair once or twice a week and i add leave in conditioner and mousse. will the products in my hair cause the minoxidil not to work? i haven’t used minoxidil i want to fully understand how to apply it.
I’ve been on oral minoxidil since 11-23-25
Spironolactone since 06-17-26
I’m 25f
I’ve been diagnosed with androgenic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis. I use Ketoconazole shampoo for the dermatitis and that has helped fix my itchiness and inflammation. But I feel like nothing is helping fill in my thinning parts. My biopsy came back non scarring,so I had higher hopes that those bald spots would actually start growing new hair but idk anymore.