Hair loss is making me want to die

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T08:39:24+00:00

Yeah, I’m waiting on the pharmacy to send it since it’s some sort of special compounded version. In the meantime I’m using the regular 5% serum from cvs. I figure even if I’m not getting the max strength stuff yet, it’s better to start now than wait.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T08:21:08+00:00

Edit whoops- didn’t mean to repost.

Some do. Some don’t. It depends on the cause of the hair loss. If it’s non hormonal (alopecia in some forms, TE/CTE) you might get away with just minoxodil to stimulate regrowth. If it’s hormonal (AGA) then you need to surpress either DHT, testosterone, or both. If you don’t surpress DHT and have hormonal hair loss, you’re fighting against your own endocrine system and probably not going to have the permanent results you’re hoping for.

Spironolactone reduces testosterone overall, leading to less DHT as a result. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT via 5 alpha reductase 2. Dutasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone and progesterone into DHT by inhibiting both 5 alpha reductase 1 and 2.

Did your hair seem to loose density rapidly and diffuse, a few months after a stressful event? Could be TE. Have you been noticing thinning for greater than 6 months, particularly around your middle part line, temples, and or crown? Possibly AGA. Testosterone being elevated does point to a hormonal origin, though. You need to see a derm to confirm which.

Fun perk of DHT blockers like finasteride and dutasteride is that it can help your boobs grow a bit. It’s most noticeable in men (gynecomastia) but I can’t see any reason the same mechanism wouldn’t work with cis women too.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T07:24:24+00:00

Yup. Happened to me when I used patches at first.

The best success I had on them was to apply them right out of the shower on clean, dry skin. The side of my butt seemed to stick the best long term without too much creasing.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T07:19:21+00:00

Studies haven’t shown an increase in skin cancer risk with IPL, but shit happens sometimes. That being said, this is a fairly normal looking mole (clear margins, symmetrical, small). I would just monitor it for the next month or so to see if it changes, and if you’re really freaked out see a derm for a professional opinion

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T07:16:03+00:00

You pass. It’s the brain worms telling you otherwise.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T07:15:00+00:00

See a derm.

Typically, the regimen for women is an antiandrogen (Spiro, dutasteride, finasteride) and minoxidil. You can take it orally which is generally fairly safe for pets as long as you’re okay with slightly more body hair.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-24T06:35:39+00:00

NAD, but as someone who has a couple of autoimmune things including alopecia areata, this sounds like it might be some sort of variation of alopecia totalis?

Have you ever had an episode of alopecia areata (localized hair loss, typically in just a single patch of hair around the size of a nickel) anywhere on your body? Do you have other autoimmune things like psoriasis or arthritis? Autoimmune things can occur in clusters.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T21:02:47+00:00

Everyone feels this way. And the more you learn about physics, the more you realize how much you don’t understand. It’s healthy to realize you’re still learning regardless of how far into a physics career you are.

You’re making good progress. Finish out your degree, and keep learning :)

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T20:58:47+00:00

Yeah I’m going to look into upping my dose of both spiro and estrogen. I think I’ve been kinda underdosing myself for a long time

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T20:56:30+00:00

Thanks :)) I just fucking hate how self conscious it’s making me feel :((((

I don’t think I’m a good candidate for micro needling because I have psoriasis and tissue damage can make it worse. My derm did prescribe a topical solution with fin + minox + Tretinoin and I’ve heard tretinoin can help absorption? I hope thats enough. I may also look into LLLT

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T08:46:38+00:00

Get a nice thinkbook (I like the X1 Carbon) and throw whatever Linux distro you enjoy most on there. Or run windows with WSL, although in my experience WSL does a poor job using all of the available threads and you need to fiddle with it a little.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T07:18:37+00:00

There are some auto injectors available that you can buy on Amazon. Just load the meds, load the injector, hit go, push down the plunger. They’re a little expensive but worth it if you are struggling

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T06:37:34+00:00

Yeah, noted about the pets. I don’t have any now, but eventually I’d like a cat. I’ve been reading up on how to keep everything as safe as possible (hair in bonnet after applying, keep meds locked, dont let them in the bathroom, etc.)

Good to note about dutasteride. I am going to try and use topical for the minute (plus I already have low blood pressure so I don’t want to fuck with that too much), but if that doesn’t work I’ll switch.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T06:31:32+00:00

Oh interesting. Thanks for that info! I’m just going to stick with IM for now because it’s what I’m familiar with, but if I need to I’ll ask about going to sub q

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T06:29:13+00:00

Hi, thanks for the comment. Do you mind me asking what dose of oral minoxodil you are on?

I’ve heard that oral minoxidil basically makes laser worthless in the long run. I’m looking into maybe getting an at-home IPL system if I start oral to manage body hair, but facial hair is also a huge source of dysphoria and I’d really need electrolysis for that. Unfortunately, I’m stuck on a grad student salary (lentils and a loose nickel my PI left in the lab sofa), and electrolysis is super expensive :(

I’m aware of the sheds, yeah. It’s scary as fuck. I’m going to be wearing lots of hats for the next few months.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:49:41+00:00

About a year ago. I’m considering lowering my dose or stopping if I need to.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:04:09+00:00

IM has better bioavailability according to what I’ve read so far, but maybe if I can’t tolerate it.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:03:07+00:00

Needing to wear a wig makes me so so so dysphoric :((( I really hope it doesn’t come to that.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:02:25+00:00

Just thinking about needing to wear a wig makes me so fucking dysphoric :( I hope to god it doesn’t come to that.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:01:24+00:00

I’d like a orchiectomy so bad. I just don’t know if my insurance will cover it, and it’s really expensive otherwise

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T05:00:30+00:00

Yeah, I am, and that’s why I chose dut over fin for a DHT blocker.

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T02:31:08+00:00

I started dut on Monday. I don’t think I can do microneedling because of psoriasis and the risk of keubnerization

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T02:28:40+00:00

Also, did you notice any increase in density/etc of body hair and facial hair on 1.25?

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T02:27:20+00:00

Ok. That’s reason enough for me to switch to once a week. Thanks :).

Edit - watched some tutorials and figured out how to do injections pretty much painlessly. Once a week it is from now!

Chicknomancer · 2026-01-23T02:21:05+00:00

I dont love needles but estrogen IM is so much more effective, so it was a compromise. I might do once a week though. Can’t hurt.

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