Do any "thickening" products actually work to prevent hair loss/thinning?
from TheMinions@lemmy.world to nostupidquestions@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:04
https://lemmy.world/post/18756047

I’ve noticed my hair thinning and hairline receding since I was about 25 or so.

I’ve been using Collagen and Biotin “thickening” shampoo but never noticed any difference. My dad swears by some pills he started taking.

What’s Lemmy think? Is he just paying for pills that are placebo effect?

#nostupidquestions

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HRDS_654@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:08 next collapse

Kind of. I’ve never bothered with them myself because it requires constant use and is kind of more trouble than it’s worth. It’s the same concept as something like Ginko Biloba in that it does have benefits, but different people will see different results based on their own body chemistry so the results you see will vary from person to person.

nebulaone@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:09 next collapse

AFAIK you can only slow down hair loss, not regrow any lost hair.

dogsnest@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:14 next collapse

I’ve never tried any. My friends have been telling me since the '60s that I’d be bald tomorrow. Still have hair, and though ‘see through’ on top, there’s no ‘dome’; I’m not bald.
That being said, I went from long-ish hair to brush cuts 40 years ago, and they’re the best. Lowest maintenance, wash 'n wear, never care. True freedom.

Free yourself from the wear and tear of hair care.

sailingbythelee@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 17:05 collapse

You, sir, are a poet. And now we all know it.

ryannathans@aussie.zone on 17 Aug 2024 14:16 next collapse

Iirc only caffeine shampoo works

ThinkBeforeYouPost@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:25 next collapse

The Big 3 are: Hair Transplant, Hair Systems, or Shaving.

The Medium 3: are Oral Dutasteride, Oral Minoxidil, and Microneedling.

The Small 3: are Oral Finasteride, Topical Minoxidil, and Ketoconazole.

The Meh 3: are Head Massage, Vitamins, and Laser Caps.

Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 17 Aug 2024 14:27 next collapse

I’m in my early 30s and started taking hims about a year ago. I’ve definitely seen regrowth of hair in my slightly receding hairline, but it’s just the more ‘recent’ stuff that had started falling out. I saw about a third of an inch regrowth, it isn’t full on thick regrowth but it’s enough to make a difference in how my hair looks.

I started taking it because it was as easy as just taking a pill in the morning, if it had been more involved like creams and stuff I wouldn’t have bothered. My hairline wasn’t all that bad either before tbh but I figured this product was to help keep it that way so I went for it.

If anyone is interested it’s worth checking out their website for information about how it works and seeing before and after pics of people who take it.

It’s a doctor prescription and you can do everything through the app including getting prescribed through in app texting with the doc.

I’ve also heard biotin pills help, these are otc and my hims prescription actually include some too. I can’t verify how much they help by themselves but people online seem to think they do, it might be worth starting with some research there if a doctors prescription is too involved for you at this time.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 17 Aug 2024 14:33 next collapse

For what it’s worth, there’s decent evidence that rosemary oil works just as well as Minoxidil. It’s certainly a WHOLE LOT cheaper…

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319444

DarkThoughts@fedia.io on 17 Aug 2024 15:18 next collapse

Looking on Amazon the price per liter ranges seem very similar to Minoxidil, maybe a little cheaper. First glance the cheapest Minoxidil product I could see was around 111€ / L, the cheapest rosemary oil bottles seem to be about 80€ / L - probably because most are sold as "essential oils".
That being said, it seems you're supposed to further dilute the oil so I guess it would last quite a bit longer. Still, from what I heard you need to continue to use that stuff or you'll lose the gained hair again.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 18 Aug 2024 01:00 collapse

The rosemary oil should be diluted in a carrier like argon oil (but it could be something else like jojoba, squalane). At around 3% concentration. So yes, much much longer!

Yes much like Modoxinil, you need to keep using it.

DarkThoughts@fedia.io on 18 Aug 2024 11:27 collapse

That's kinda another 80€ / L though. Not sure how you'd get to 3% when the article states like 5 drops per ounce of shampoo as an example, which would probably be around 1 drop for a regular amount of what you'd use to wash your hair with.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 18 Aug 2024 13:53 collapse

You can buy squalane for like 150$ a gallon. But it could be something else too, as long as it’s non-comedogenic

DarkThoughts@fedia.io on 18 Aug 2024 15:41 collapse

No idea what that is but why not just go for something like sunflower oil?

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 19 Aug 2024 01:32 collapse

Because it’s likely comedogenic, meaning it blocks pores.

DarkThoughts@fedia.io on 19 Aug 2024 10:31 collapse

It's not, and it is actually cheap-ish. The Ukraine war obviously pushed the prices quite a bit but it is still far cheaper than something like argan oil.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 20 Aug 02:16 collapse

Great, use that then

FoxyFerengi@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 15:43 next collapse

It’s also much safer to use around cats than topical minoxidil is!

I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:54 next collapse

Essential oils are still pretty bad for cats.

Essential Oil Toxicity in Cats

The reason why these oils are risky is that they contain compounds such as terpenes, ketones, and phenols. Your cat’s liver cannot metabolize these chemicals, as it doesn’t have the enzymes necessary for processing and excreting them. As a result, there is always a possibility of their accumulation in the liver building to toxic levels.

www.webmd.com/…/risks-of-essential-oils-for-cats

FoxyFerengi@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 16:59 collapse

I didn’t say it was safe! Just safer than minoxidil :) The oil is usually meant to be used as a pre-wash treatment, so it’s not going to sit on your head all day like minoxidil, further reducing the risk of contact with pets.

TheMinions@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:57 collapse

I’d probably use the pills regardless, but good to know! I have two cats!

ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de on 17 Aug 2024 19:22 collapse

I’ve also heard pumpkin seed oil works as a topical dht blocker. Never dug into it to fact check much, since I still have great hair.

AnyOldName3@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:35 next collapse

I use topical Minoxidil. It’s clearly made some difference, replacing a bald patch with a thin patch, and making my scalp noticeably warmer to the touch due to the extra bloodflow. It wasn’t the brilliant instantaneous wonderdrug some people told me it would be, nor totally ineffectual like others said, so I guess it’s something whose efficacy varies from person to person.

iamdisillusioned@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 14:37 next collapse

I think Minoxidil is the only thing proven to work. You can take it orally or apply it to the scalp via a serum or shampoo.

MudMan@fedia.io on 17 Aug 2024 14:41 next collapse

Okay, I'm here to help.

Shave.

Seriously. The amount of pressure put on guys around balding is horrendous, and it can consume your attention if you let it. The moment that superfluous, vestigial hair comes off, it's such a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). No more fussing, worrying or stressing about it. Plus, in many cases it looks pretty good. Give it a couple of weeks and it'll just become your face.

Give it a couple of months and the moment there's a scratchy, annoying milimeter of hair on your head will be a natural call to give it a shave for the comfort alone.

MissJinx@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 15:08 next collapse

or don’t. My ex was balding and never bothered me. It may bother.some ppl but tbf what doesn’t? There is alwas a problem, too tall, too short, short dick, dick too big, to fat, too skinny

There will always be someone that doesn’t like something about you, no matter who you are. Just accept it and be free

MudMan@fedia.io on 17 Aug 2024 15:12 next collapse

Absolutely, and if you can't take the plunge on either do whatever feels right.

But I'll say if you're anxious about it at all, shaving is a good way to not have to think about it. Not everybody has an easy time just getting over the way they look and not giving a crap, obviously.

Plus if you're worried about your hairline, going to get a haircut can be a stressful time and shaving means getting it out of the way. And it's super cheap and fast by comparison.

NewNewAccount@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:08 collapse

My life has been unduly burdened because of my “dick too big” problem. So many don’t understand my plight.

Pray for me.

MissJinx@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 17:01 collapse

Believe me I have heard woman runing away from men because their dick is too big. And…as a woman i would say this is actually kind of problematic. Vaginas are not infinite holes… it has an ending

RBWells@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 17:42 collapse

And having to be careful during sex is a drag. Big, good. Bigger, not better.

TheMinions@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:56 collapse

Eh I’ll consider it, but I like my hair for now. If it gets to a point where I look dumb I’ll shave. But I also have a humungous head. Like literally 99th percentile lol

ngwoo@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 03:28 next collapse

If you’re slowly losing it but like how it is now, finasteride is exactly what you want if you’re alright with taking a pill forever. There are of course side effects but it’s worth talking to a doctor about if you think hair loss will be something you don’t want to accept.

Thavron@lemmy.ca on 18 Aug 2024 22:47 collapse

Blue yourself and go full Megamind.

TheMinions@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 22:55 collapse

I’ll do it if I get an invite to the Blue Man Group.

Codilingus@sh.itjust.works on 17 Aug 2024 15:21 next collapse

If possible, save up for a trip to Turkey. My barber 1/2 jokes about it, says its like $6k, includes airfare, and are all inclusive. Turkey has entire villages that have become dedicated to cosmetic surgeries, like hair transplants. Some of them filled with men walking around with their head in bandages 😅

Mr_Blott@feddit.uk on 17 Aug 2024 16:12 collapse

So we can add to the list now?

Turkey Teeth

Turkey Tits

Turkey Toupee?

aramis87@fedia.io on 17 Aug 2024 15:36 next collapse

Before you get into products or transplants or whatever, maybe try changing some habits? American College of Dermatology has an article on 10 things you may be doing that lead to damage or hair loss (along with what you can change to do it "right"). "Wrong" things include rubbing your hair dry with a towel and using the wrong-size comb.

Article here.

morphballganon@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 02:23 collapse

Thanks for sharing!

fart_pickle@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:38 next collapse

No product here, more like an advice. Instead of trying to thicken your hair, just embrace what’s happening. You will save a lot of time and money.

Veedem@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 16:38 next collapse

I started using Rogaine (generic versions) when I was around 25. I’m 40 now. It slowed my hair loss considerably and I have a pretty good head of hair still. My dad was completely done by 35.

I recently added Finasteride to the mix and I’m comfortable with the results.

Some people will tell you to embrace it and that’s ok too. I just didn’t want to if I didn’t have to.

undefined@links.hackliberty.org on 17 Aug 2024 16:53 next collapse

I was looking for this comment before I went posting it. Finasteride + minoxidil is where it’s at.

gencha@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 16:58 next collapse

Please don’t take it as an offense, but how do you know it worked? Like, what are you comparing against? If it’s your dad, maybe you just got the right genes from your mom to give you a benefit.

Veedem@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 17:55 next collapse

I started thinning rapidly in my early 20s which prompted me to act. Within a few months the thinning stopped and in the back I’ve been about the same since. Front started thinning a few years ago which prompted the finasteride and that seems to be slowing it.

I don’t know for sure, you’re right, but I also see no incentive to prove my experience wrong since the risk isn’t worth it, to me.

gencha@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 19:19 collapse

Thank you. That makes sense

ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de on 17 Aug 2024 19:20 collapse

DHT blockers (like what he is taking) are proven to work, but not everyone’s hair loss is due to dht sensitive hair follicles. That’s a genetic lottery.

It can also come with side effects.

gencha@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 20:04 collapse

Thanks for the additional context

Wanderer@lemm.ee on 19 Aug 2024 00:21 collapse

There no point holding onto hair when it’s really gone. It looks worse than shaving it. Unless you want to pay for hair transplant use need min and fin.

People with hair transplants need to go on finesteride anyway.

I think if you are beginning to bald. Might as well go on finesteride and minoxidil.

They are both proven to work (though not for everyone).

toastus@feddit.org on 17 Aug 2024 16:37 next collapse

No but they can make amazing sauces.

gencha@lemm.ee on 17 Aug 2024 17:11 next collapse

What’s your motivation? Do you want to appear attractive, and you decided that you are not up to your own level of expectation based on your hair? Do you want to attract a partner or an audience? Do you require respect from peers and you think hair will help?

Any supplement is likely not going to bring the required results. If you are not satisfied with your hair, get a toupee or a transplant. Don’t fuck around with half measures. You will only waste time and money.

In general, hair is not suitable for half measures. Don’t kid yourself. People notice thin hair. People notice a tattooed scalp. People notice a calm over. These all make you appear insecure and the opposite of what you might be aiming for. You must be comfortable, but be aware that you are not buying into the wrong comfort.

SyntaxTerror@feddit.org on 17 Aug 2024 17:11 next collapse

As DHT is partially responsible for androgenetic scalp hair loss, dutasteride (a 5α-reductase inhibitor) at least has some evidence of slowing hair loss, as it blocks the action of the 5α-reductase enzymes that convert testosterone into DHT [1]. I am not a medical professional, so do your own research, but this is one of the few substance shown to have a positive effect on hair loss prevention. As this is usually a genetic problem your mileage may vary significantly.

[1] Bostwick DG, Cheng L (24 January 2014). Urologic Surgical Pathology. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 492–. ISBN 978-0-323-08619-6.

Anticorp@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 17:20 next collapse

Not really, but some drugs can help. Minoxidil, either topical or oral, can help for some people, but it’s hit and miss. Finesteride works for a lot of people, but there’s a 3% chance that you permanently lose your libido, and your penis shrinks. I’m not going to play with that, despite the low odds. As for appearance, Topik powder actually does make it look better. That combined with a fibrous hair paste can hide the loss for a time. Otherwise, a trip to Turkey and a few grand can reset the clock, but it’ll probably be required again at some point.

southsamurai@sh.itjust.works on 17 Aug 2024 17:26 next collapse

As per my cosmetologist friend, those thickening products are great! At thickening the wallets of the company.

They’re not any better than a good conditioner.

Same with the pills that aren’t prescription.

It’s not that they don’t do anything at all, it’s that they don’t do anything a healthy diet and decent hair care can’t do. Now, if your diet is shit, those supplements can fill gaps. And, if you’re using shit hair products (and by that I don’t mean inexpensive, it’s about how they’re made and what’s in them), those extras can help if you’re willing to pony up for them instead of finding a good sulfate, paraben free products.

Seriously folks, just avoiding sulfates will improve the health of your hair. Parabens are more about overall health, what with cancer suspicions. Phthalates aren’t great either. Shit with “ethicone” as part of the name are bad for hair, but you don’t really see them on shampoos much any more.

In general, everyone should look up the chemicals in anything they put on or in their bodies, there’s a lot of shit used as preservatives or for other uses in cosmetics and skin/hair products that really shouldn’t be in them.

But for basic hair care, sulfate free is likely to be on the packaging in big letters, so that’s easier to find. Parabens aren’t always advertised the same way, but can be. So avoiding one or both of those requires no more effort than looking at the bottle.

RubberElectrons@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 18:47 next collapse

Any recommendations on brands?

southsamurai@sh.itjust.works on 18 Aug 2024 03:28 collapse

Eh, based on what I’ve been told by cosmetologists, brand is a matter of what smells best to you, when it comes to shampoo.

I personally favor aveeno and hask since they’re inexpensive, smell good, don’t irritate my skin, and are easy to find at pretty much any store that carries shampoos and conditioners to begin with. Just check labels.

Garnier has several options available last time I looked. I think dove does too. But I don’t personally use those brands, so I can’t say anything about them beyond them having sulfate and paraben free options.

I got nothing when it comes to higher dollar brands since the only time I’ve used them is when they were free samples. But I can not tell a difference between any of them other than scent. My beard and hair are in good shape across the board since my homie gave me the advice to switch sulfate free, no matter the brand.

ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de on 17 Aug 2024 19:16 collapse

There’s a lot of people that get their balding stopped with DHT blockers. It all depends on what is causing the hair loss. It isn’t all snake oil.

Most of what you’re recommending is just stuff to treat the dead hair after it grows out of your head, and not treating the follicles no longer growing hair.

southsamurai@sh.itjust.works on 18 Aug 2024 03:17 collapse

Exactly.

The OP was asking about things other than prescription and medication options, unless I totally misread the post. I’ll go back look, but I’m sure there was something specified about vitamin type products, not stuff like minoxidil

Edit: went and checked, highlighting the part that was the basis of my response

I’ve noticed my hair thinning and hairline receding since I was about 25 or so.

I’ve been using Collagen and Biotin “thickening” shampoo but never noticed any difference. My dad swears by some pills he started taking.

What’s Lemmy think? Is he just paying for pills that are placebo effect?

My entire comment was based on what OP asked, and the background info they gave, not a comprehensive hair loss essay.

Starfish@fedia.io on 17 Aug 2024 18:33 next collapse

afaik derma stamps and rosemarie oil helps a bit. and head skin massages. maybe get a head massage band. i got these tips from "Doctor Gary Linkov" on youtube.

ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de on 17 Aug 2024 19:12 next collapse

Yes…or no. There’s more than one reason for balding. You might try a DHT blocker. Caffeine(more caffiene helps, supposedly), vitamin B, and many other things could effect your hair loss.

For a non guessing approach, you want a full blood panel and testosterone/dht level done up at a legit specialist for hair loss.

Or just go the Mr.Clean route.

sicarius@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 20:18 next collapse

I started balding in my late teens. Shaved my head for the first time at 20. Never looked back. Wished I’d done it sooner.
Still remember an offhand comment from a girl who said I have a nice shaped head.
A quick once over with the clippers once a week and you’re good.
Whatever you decided to do don’t stress about it! I’m sure that will only make it worse.
Bonus: the freshly shaved head acts as velcro to keep your hat on during windy days!

ThoranTW@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 03:58 next collapse

Same situation, started at 17 and besides a bit of melancholy right after I first buzzed it all off I* haven’t looked back either.

Shit’s just so convenient.

arefx@lemmy.ml on 18 Aug 2024 06:45 collapse

See I have a lumpy awful shaped head but thankfully I’m 37 with thick full hair still, so I might be in the clear. I know what you’re saying though, I bet you looks good with a shaved head!! Honestly some people look better bald (not me though)

Alice@hilariouschaos.com on 17 Aug 2024 20:19 next collapse

Ovation cell therapy

Look it up

some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org on 17 Aug 2024 21:34 next collapse

Rogaine (sp?) worked to trigger better facial hair growth for me. I read that somewhere online and it actually worked.

TheMinions@lemmy.world on 17 Aug 2024 21:50 collapse

Oh interesting. I have trouble growing the middle bit of my mustache, so maybe that will help.

Pacattack57@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 02:08 next collapse

No there are no thickening products that fix hair loss. Monoxadil and other similar products work but you can never stop using them or your hair will fall out again.

Openopenopenopen@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 08:14 collapse

Fyi

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/

rosemary oil is clinically as effective as minoxidil.

AnyOldName3@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 14:43 collapse

Minoxidil is produced in 5% concentration creams and foams, and that study is comparing rosemary oil to a 2% preparation. It’s impressive that rosemary oil is comparable at all, but obviously if you’re not taking a therapeutic dose of Monoxidil, it’s not going to work properly.

MadBabs@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 03:49 next collapse

My hairstylist told me to get biotin gummies even the really cheap ones. I did, and my hair is noticeably thicker

Blackmist@feddit.uk on 18 Aug 2024 08:47 next collapse

It’s all bollocks. You’ll can buy your hair back like Musk, but it takes fuck you money.

Shave it off. That’s how poor people look good when they’re balding. It’s not a disease. Throw off the shackles of the advertising industry and just roll with it.

SmoothIsFast@lemmy.world on 18 Aug 2024 08:58 next collapse

Minoxidil and finasteride will prevent further hair loss and thicken up what you still have. I highly recommend them.

Finasteride is a hormone based therapy which prohibits the production of DHT which strangles hair follicles, but it can effect male reproductive health so I recommend taking it typically instead of orally to prevent systemic exposure.

I have been using a combo spray for almost a year with great results.

dditty@lemm.ee on 18 Aug 2024 14:40 collapse

Ive been taking oral 1 mg finasteride daily for a few years, and it has totally frozen my receding hair line, also my hair is fuller and healthier than it has ever been. No side effects yet, other than during the first week or two I couldn’t feel pleasure while ejaculating (but it came back after that). I’ll stop taking it if I ever try to conceive but for now it’s just nice being able to delay hair loss by a few years

addictedtochaos@lemm.ee on 18 Aug 2024 13:28 next collapse

the only thing that works is finding out if you have nutriotional deficencies. minerals, vitamins. protein fat, and fiber. all of this is important. in my case, i had diabetis. so i ate keto. i developed copper deficencie, which led to vitamin c deficencie. very hard to find out. many vitamins and minerals battle each other. what nobody totld me: you dont need fiber to have good poop. you need it for the short fatty chain acids that turns into fuel for cells, or does catalyst stuff that needs be doing to absorb all kinds of things.

fat is essential for hair, likewise proteins. proteins and fat are the building blocks, minerals and vitamins are the cement. nothing will work without the other.

oh yeah you need the sun. if yu have copper deficency, you cant take in iron. and there is many more things like that.

so go to a lab and mak a mineral and vitamin profile.

addictedtochaos@lemm.ee on 18 Aug 2024 13:31 next collapse

soft water with low calciumhydrocarbonate also makes soft hair and skin.

HatchetHaro@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 18 Aug 2024 16:12 next collapse

balding < bald

just shave it. get a buzz cut if you’re uncomfortable. i know once my hairline starts receding i won’t try to kid myself by spending money on temporary fixes.

PancakeBrock@lemmy.zip on 19 Aug 2024 02:07 collapse

I’m the first guy in my family to actually have facial hair and the first one to start balding haha. My dads hair is pretty thick and he gets a tiny mustache. My grandpa’s hair wasn’t bad before he passed away in his 90s and really nothing for facial hair. Never met my great grandpa but he was chickasaw and the few pictures I’ve seen he has very thick hair.

In the next few years it’ll be to the point where I start shaving. It’s right on top where it’s getting really thin and I’m 6’2" so most people don’t actually see it. The other day at a self check out it thought I didn’t scan something and showed a top down camera view and I was like damn that’s bad.

myrrh@ttrpg.network on 19 Aug 2024 01:52 next collapse

…finesteride works, not a placebo…

WolfLink@sh.itjust.works on 19 Aug 2024 03:37 collapse

I think the thickening products just try to coat your hairs in oil or something to make each individual hair appear thicker to make the overall hair appear more full.

There are products like minoxidil that actually promote hair growth.