I recently hopped off Finasteride (2.5yrs) and Dutasteride (3 months) because I didn’t feel they were helping my hair at all. I figured that if I were to have any real results, I’d need surgery. I’ve been off them the last 3 months and I miss the “side effects”.  My facial hair grows much quicker now and thicker. I miss when I rarely having to shave. My libido is also ANNOYINGLY high. I’m feeling way more sexual these days, especially compared to the past. Now when I see attractive strangers, I can’t help but think sexual thoughts. It’s the most annoying thing. I feel distracted!  Anyways, just a rant about things some of you guys might consider “side effects.” I need to think further if I can get this mindset back with a Dr.’s help.

Interesting comments.

There is more than circumstantial evidence, as posted on https://www.pubmed.com, as to the efficacy of dermarolling. In their study, they used rollers with 1.5mm needles and essentially rolled over the entire balding area, going in many different directions. The rolling was completed once the skin was a pinkish color, with small droplets of blood visible. This was in addition to the use of topical minoxidil. The theory is either (1) the light wounding cause stem cells to create new hair follicles instead of skin (much like follica’s procedure), or (2) it allowed the Minoxidil to penetrate more deeply into the dermis. This was done twice per week, NOT everyday. As to the possible infection aspect, all I can say is…DUH!!! Basic antiseptic procedures MUST be followed when doing a procedure like this, especially if blood is produced. Spraying the dermaroller with a high concentration of alcohol (perhaps EverClear), washing the scalp, then using a high quality antiseptic solution on the scalp prior to the treatment is an absolute MUST. I would not be at all surprised to learn that those who do indeed acquire post-rolling infections are not adhering to basic pre-procedure antiseptic techniques. I have been derma-rolling for the past 3 years with NO adverse bacterial effect.

I have read this and agree with you. Thanks.

I don’t get it!!! Doesn’t every strand of hair for men have a genetic life cycle that eventually runs out in some areas?? (Hairline, crown). How can a male have unlimited replenishment of hair?

Good question. In every one of us who is balding, the pattern of balding we inherit determines the extent of the permanent hair on the side and back of the head. Because we can’t predict the pattern we inherited with absolute certainty, I assume that only the fringe area in a Class 7 patient is the permanent area. This area has a finite amount of hair (about 20% of the total birth hair population on the scalp). You can have this 20% area (called the donor area) harvested over and over again until the area has lost 50-70% of its hair density. Then, the donor area is depleted and no more hair can be harvested without producing balding in this area around the back and side of your head.  Each hair has both a hair cycle (Anagen and Telogen) and a limited number of hair cycles that it can have in your lifetime.  For the balding Class 7 patterned patient (with only 20% of his hair remaining in a rim around the back and sides of the head), the hair that was lost underwent apoptosis (an effective cell death). These men often have fewer than 10 hair cycles (as few as 6-7) of their anagen/telogen cycle. We know that these hairs, which are absolutely gone to the naked eye, are actually in some stem cells located where each hair used to be. One day, some doctor/researcher will find the switch to turn on these hair stem cells to create new hair. I believe we may actually see this breakthrough in the next few years.

Percocet causes your hair (and eyelashes) to break and fall out. I’m 56 and have always had TONS of hair. “Enough for three people,” my stylist always commented. I had been on Percocet for 4 years due to severe Hip Dysplasia and my hair was coming out in little chunks. My beautiful, long eyelashes kept breaking until it looked like I barely had any. I thought it was because I’m in my 50’s. I had a full hip replacement last year and am finally off the pain meds. I’ve been off them about a month and, to my astonishment, my hair is growing back as thick as it used to be and my eyelashes are long and beautiful again! Those rotten pills! I don’t know how I would have gotten along without them as I was in severe pain, but I’m glad I’m off them now. My hair is recovering, so the hair loss doesn’t seem to be permanent.

Give your hair time and eat healthily. It should recover. Good luck!

https://medium.com/capsule-cares/best-practices-bernstein-medical-3750a2b321c9 (Taken from https://medium.com/capsule-cares)

It has been well-established that heavy drinking during pregnancy causes problems for the fetus, but, after studying 500 newborns at the University Hospital in Erlangen Germany, they found higher levels of a particular chemical, Ethyl Glucuronide, in women who had two alcoholic beverages per month. They followed these babies to the age of 6 and found that these babies have a lower IQ than normal babies by 4 points. This suggests that even less drinking can also cause the problem and would obviously be a major problem for children.

Taken from New Scientist 28 July Page 13

This is another donor site depletion photo after too many FUE grafts were taken from the donor area. This man will have a see-through donor area.