I forgot about this thread. I know I already responded, but that was almost a year ago. I’m throwing the kitchen sink at hair loss and will try to update here if I have any success at all. Then maybe this comment will actually answer the original question.
I got my hair loss from my dad’s side of the family (so the whole “paternal grandfather” thing is complete BS, my paternal grandfather never lost any of his hair) and it started at around 20 while I was still dealing with my teenage acne.
I’m trying to adapt my regimen for hair loss. The foam minoxidil helps but it’s not enough on its own. My hairline is still bad enough to give me a fivehead lol, and there is some obvious recession especially at my temples.
In addition to the Rogaine and Nizoral, I added on Hairguard’s Maxoxidil, which contains stuff like zinc, azelaic acid, and caffeine. I also use this serum from the Ordinary which is supposed to help. And I use a laser helmet. I’m trying to do scalp massages as well.
I also take biotin and collagen peptides, and sometimes use some coffee shampoo in addition to my normal anti-dandruff shampoo.
my hair is kinda gross and crunchy at the edges now though, so maybe I overdid it. But I do have a bunch of tiny little baby hairs, where my true hairline should be, so that’s something. I decided that even the topical finasteride wasn’t worth the risk of sexual side effects, I’m honestly terrified of it. I mean, I’m a huge romantic, so I won’t take anything that can mess with my attraction, performance, or libido. Same reason why I freaked myself out of ever trying SSRIs.
I have a dermaroller for microneedling, but I haven’t opened it, and hopefully won’t ever have to use it. It seems like a rather difficult process with a risk of infection or tearing out the baby hairs.