going slightly bald

• going slightly bald
  

  

  alewyn

  
  

  hello!

  i've been growing my hair for 3 years now, and it's starting to look nice, but there's a hitch: i'm going bald. if i comb my hair backwards, it's not very visible, though. there's no way in hell i'm going to cut my hair, and there's no way i'm going (slightly) bald without a fight.

  so, i've discovered this a month ago, and have since been taking every useful vitamin supplement i could lay my hands on. i can't see any effects yet. my supplement intake (per day) contains:

  biotin: 340ug
  choline: 300mg
  inositol: 165mg
  zinc: 15mg
  folic acid:400ug
  PABA: 30mg (whatever it is)

  apparently those hair-grow thing (regaine, etc) don't work well at all,
  and it's very expensive. by the way, i'm vegetarian for 5 years now.

  is there any hope? does anyone have good news for me? or should i start looking for a strong piece of rope? :)

  thanx,
  alewyn.

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  • Re: going slightly bald
    

    

    Zapper

    
    

    I also have hair loss that is typical of male pattern baldness. Except for zinc, I don't know that any of those supplements you are taking have any effect on stopping hair loss.

    I started using Rogaine (Regaine) 5% topical solution about 4 months ago. I also started using Nizoral shampoo, with 1% ketoconazole. Imidazole compounds are known to be inhibitors of the formation of DHT, which is the hormone of male pattern baldness. Ketoconazole is not the best inhibitor of DHT formation, but it's available and it's not so expensive. I also have my own "snake oil", Saw Palmetto. Maybe it works and maybe not. But after 4 months of this, and applying Rogaine along the midline part, at the vertex, and along the hairline, I think I do have some regrowth in some of these areas. The midline part has filled in with short dark hair, so that it's actually hard to part the hair. There is also some regrowth at the vertex, but it's hard to tell how much. Along the hairline, there is some regrowth in one area, but there is none so far in the area where I would like some hair to regrow.

    As far as any other products available, there is a shampoo called More Hair, which is available over the internet. The stuff in this shampoo is not a hoax; it contains progesterone, which is a potent inhibitor of DHT activity. I think it also contains zinc, another DHT inhibitor.

    To be successful, I think you have to attack male pattern baldness on several fronts. The best would be a product that has both topical Propecia and minoxidil in it. Topical progesterone would also be excellent.

    Diet is important in any protein synthesis (hair). Make sure you get all the amino acids you're body needs, since you stay away from meat.

    But, if you want to keep your hair, you're going to be spending a little cash.

    Zapper

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    • Re: going slightly bald
      

      

      Victor

      
      

      To be successful, I think you have to attack male pattern baldness on several fronts. The best would be a product that has both topical Propecia and minoxidil in it. Topical progesterone would also be excellent.

      Progesterone is a hormone steroid that is secreted by the ovaries. One of the effects of it is the development of the mammaries, placenta, controlling menses, etc.

      I'd be very cautious before using this. And don't think that topical use protects you from these effects. I've heard of small boys going into percocious puberty because their dad, who liked to give them piggy-back rides, used topical hormones as part of their body building regimen. I suspect progesterone is just as likely to be absorbed through the skin. And if not, then it would be a waste to use it in the first place....

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    • Re: going slightly bald
      

      

      NorCal Scott

      
      

      Topical progesterone, to my knowledge, is a complete bust. I tried this about 20 years ago, pre-minoxidil, pre-Propecia. It did nothing.

      Saw palmetto has some activity in helping manage benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostrate) but I don't think it does anything for hairloss.

      On the other hand, I have been using Propecia (prescription about $50 per month) for about 9 months and minoxidil (about $5.00-10.00 per month) for about 12 years. Has it done anything? I don't think I've grown a single extra hair, but maybe it's slowed the loss down. I have thinning hair with no bald spot.

      I'm 52, though, and I understand those drugs work much better in younger men. Just wish it was available 30 years ago!

      
      I also have hair loss that is typical of male pattern baldness. Except for zinc, I don't know that any of those supplements you are taking have any effect on stopping hair loss.

      I started using Rogaine (Regaine) 5% topical solution about 4 months ago. I also started using Nizoral shampoo, with 1% ketoconazole. Imidazole compounds are known to be inhibitors of the formation of DHT, which is the hormone of male pattern baldness. Ketoconazole is not the best inhibitor of DHT formation, but it's available and it's not so expensive. I also have my own "snake oil", Saw Palmetto. Maybe it works and maybe not. But after 4 months of this, and applying Rogaine along the midline part, at the vertex, and along the hairline, I think I do have some regrowth in some of these areas. The midline part has filled in with short dark hair, so that it's actually hard to part the hair. There is also some regrowth at the vertex, but it's hard to tell how much. Along the hairline, there is some regrowth in one area, but there is none so far in the area where I would like some hair to regrow.

      As far as any other products available, there is a shampoo called More Hair, which is available over the internet. The stuff in this shampoo is not a hoax; it contains progesterone, which is a potent inhibitor of DHT activity. I think it also contains zinc, another DHT inhibitor.

      To be successful, I think you have to attack male pattern baldness on several fronts. The best would be a product that has both topical Propecia and minoxidil in it. Topical progesterone would also be excellent.

      Diet is important in any protein synthesis (hair). Make sure you get all the amino acids you're body needs, since you stay away from meat.

      But, if you want to keep your hair, you're going to be spending a little cash.

      Zapper

      reply close reply form
  • Re: going slightly bald
    

    

    oDD_LotS

    
    

    I too am a vegetarian and am noticing a ton of hair loss. I picked up a lot of the supplements you mentioned a few weeks ago, but haven't gotten around to taking them yet.

    Have you tried a dermatologist or other specialist?

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