Is there a way to grow my hair back? I don’t think have MPB, but it’s most likely diffuse thinning. (photos)

Question

I am willing to take any medication to get my hair to grow back. My maternal grandfather is the only person that Ive seen have thinning hair. I only have a picture of him in his 30’s. No one else in my family has had their hair start thinning and falling until they were in their 40’s.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This needs an in-person evaluation. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate with a dermatoscope, go over your condition, consider further work if needed (lab work, scalp biopsy) and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like topicals, oral medications, prp/progesterone, and/or hair transplantation depending on the exact nature of your hair loss condition.  See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Robert Nettles, MD · Answer

95% of hair loss is caused by androgenetic alopecia which creeps up very very slowly. This is especially the case for those of us who are inflicted with the diffuse thinning pattern (rather than receding temples or crown donut).

With the diffuse thinning pattern what happens is over time one by one we thin and then lose just one hair from each affected follicle. On average we start with 5-7 hairs in each follicle. Over time that reduces the hairs in each follicle from say 5 to 4 then to 3 and then all of a sudden we have half as much hair as we used to have, but we haven't noticed because all our follicles still have hairs so we don't see where we lost it from. What you are describing fits into what typically happens for diffuse thinning androgenetic alopecia.

Before starting any treatment - please make sure to get an accurate scientific diagnosis. Each person's case and biochemistry is different and requires individualized treatment to be successful. Find a precision medicine hair regrowth specialist who can order the Biochemical Report Card labs tests for you for accurate diagnosis.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This appears to be a photo of male pattern balding. Of course a full history, together with proper examination and possibly blood tests are needed. However, this has the precise characteristics of male balding (also called androgenetic alopecia). One should not let the family history details affect the thinking leading to the diagnosis. However if there is any doubt about the diagnosis, a 4 mm punch biopsy should be done. A T:V ratio (telogen to vellus ratio) of less than 4:1 signals a diagnosis of male balding is this particular case. If confirmed, treatments available in the present for this stage of hair loss include topical minoxidil, topical finasteride, oral minoxidil, oral finasteride, laser and PrP.

Samer Muala, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

I think you would benefit from a multi-faceted approach with prescription topicals, finasteride and supplements.  Consider a hair analysis.  We do that in my practice which serves all US states except New Mexico (pending)

Is there a way to grow my hair back? I don’t think have MPB, but it’s most likely diffuse thinning. (photos)

Answers (4)

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