# My hair is thinning. Any proven solution? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 23, 2015, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762 "2015-03-23T05:48:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chadtrench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@chadtrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chadtrench)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/1 "2015-03-23T05:48:40Z")
So I’m having problems with my hair. I’m wondering if there’s anyone here who’ve had the same problem as I do and came out victorious. I’ve been thinking about using either Rogaine or Bosley. Any suggestions or feedback? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/2 "2015-03-23T06:09:53Z")
Rogaine in the generic brand from Costco works some for me. If you’re ever in doubt that Your hair’s thinning out Rogaine If you’re ever called Ugly, short fat and bald Rogaine Grow some hair Grow some hair Grow some hair Rogaine ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/3 "2015-03-23T06:18:55Z")
The day I shaved it all off was the happiest day of my life. Never looked back. But if you’re really adamant about keeping it, finasteride simply arrests the progression of MPB in 83% of all men. The drug has its drawbacks though; it’s not a completely benign substance. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/4 "2015-03-23T06:35:31Z")
No. It’s a losing battle, a potentially expensive one that you’d look back on with regret and shame. Don’t fool yourself, accept the inevitable. ---
**Author:** ![drovemuffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@drovemuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drovemuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/5 "2015-03-23T10:13:20Z")
Haven’t tried it, no need for it yet. But I heard some positive reviews about it ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/6 "2015-03-23T11:38:03Z")
Accept the inevitable and do it gracefully. Men go bald, live with it. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/7 "2015-03-23T11:54:08Z")
It’s hard to find nowadays, but [GLH](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeF7A05zQ8) worked pretty well back in the day. At least according to the infomercial! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/8 "2015-03-23T12:05:16Z")
You could wear hats. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/9 "2015-03-23T16:21:26Z")
Just going bald worked for me. The idea of purchasing a medication that isn’t covered by insurance and may or may not WORK, and you don’t find out for months, while you continue to purchase the medication? That just strikes me as a generally bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/10 "2015-03-23T16:24:19Z")
Hair plugs, wigs, and weaves are available. Just don’t count on your hair growing back. I’m contemplating a reverse Mohawk at the moment, not sure why that never caught on. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/11 "2015-03-23T16:29:12Z")
Hormonal options are available. How do you feel about decreasing the amount of testosterone in your body? Well, no doubt that’s why they only prescribe aldactone to women and would-be M-to-F trans\* folks. Anyway, you might try some of the thickening shampoos. I like both Bumble and bumble’s and Living Proof. Both contain wheat protein, which thickens things up a bit. Mousse also helps to make things look thicker. Obviously, it’s not a permanent solution. (I’m female and mine thinned a bit with peri-menopause. And that sent me to the doctor faster than the anxiety, insomnia, or hot flashes, because vanity! Aldactone made it grow back – I can see where it’s grown in. The Living Proof shampoo/conditioner, plus Bumble Thick spray, plus mousse all keep it bouncy. Luckily I had a boatload of hair to start with.) ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/12 "2015-03-23T16:37:26Z")
Comb-over. They’re cheap, and women find them sexy. Seriously, I’ve heard that Rogaine is really toxic to cats, so if you have cats, check on this. There’s really nothing wrong with being bald. But you look silly doing most of the things men do to pretend it isn’t happening. I don’t know anyone who makes fun of baldness, but just about every baldness cover-up or cure gets ranked on mercilessly. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/13 "2015-03-23T16:43:07Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Comb-over. They’re cheap, and women find them sexy… I really like the “swirlie” variety, where the guy grows out his hair really long on one side and swirls it around his head, covering the bald spot. Rawr! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/14 "2015-03-23T16:47:37Z")
The word on androgenetic alopecia from the mainstream medical community from [UpToDate.com](http://UpToDate.com) is as follows: > [@](#): > > SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS > > ●Male androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in men that presents with the loss of terminal hairs in characteristic areas of the scalp. Although the condition is benign and asymptomatic, some men seek treatment due to cosmetic concerns. > > ●For male patients with androgenetic alopecia who desire treatment, we suggest treatment with oral finasteride (1 mg/day) over topical minoxidil Treatment with minoxidil 5% solution or foam is an alternative first-line therapy that may be preferred by patients who prefer to avoid systemic therapy. The response to treatment with both agents is variable. No high quality randomized trials have directly compared their efficacies. > > ●Men treated with finasteride or minoxidil must continue treatment to maintain efficacy. If treatment is discontinued, hair loss will occur within several months after the cessation of therapy. > > ●Treatment with finasteride and minoxidil is generally well tolerated. Scalp dermatitis is the most common adverse effect of minoxidil. Occasional patients treated with finasteride experience sexual side effects. > > ●Hair transplantation can result in permanent improvements in hair growth in areas of the scalp affected by androgenetic alopecia. Continuing treatment with minoxidil or finasteride after hair transplantation may help to minimize additional loss of preexisting terminal hairs. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/15 "2015-03-23T16:47:45Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I really like the “swirlie” variety, where the guy grows out his hair really long on one side and swirls it around his head, covering the bald spot. > > Rawr! Hard to Trump that. ---
**Author:** ![bubba001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f17d59/32.png) [@bubba001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubba001)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/16 "2015-03-24T01:20:39Z")
Shave your head. You don’t have good hair. Get over it. Don’t make yourself look silly trying to change it. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/17 "2015-03-24T01:46:16Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > The day I shaved it all off was the happiest day of my life. Never looked back. But if you’re really adamant about keeping it, finasteride simply arrests the progression of MPB in 83% of all men. The drug has its drawbacks though; it’s not a completely benign substance. I’ve been on finasteride for over a decade. It’s used to treat prostate problems. There are a lot of potential side effects. IMHO you’d be better off getting a toupee. And by the way, I’m still pretty damn thin on top. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/18 "2015-03-24T01:51:40Z")
> [@bubba001](#): > > Shave your head. You don’t have good hair. Get over it. Don’t make yourself look silly trying to change it. Cite: Bruce Willis, Patrick Stewart, and Jason Statham ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/19 "2015-03-24T02:20:12Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Cite: Bruce Willis, Patrick Stewart, and Jason Statham Well, yes…but for every one of those there’s a Prince William who looks terrible without hair. Basically, yeah, when it comes to proven medication, finasteride and minoxidil are pretty much your only choices. Some studies showed positive effects from saw palmetto, I believe. Neither is a miracle drug; finasteride is generally better at letting you keep what you already have, and minoxidil a little better at regrowing hair (though usually only crown hair and not temple hair). Benefits stop if you cease taking either drug. However, hair transplants have come a long way, and the new micrograft surgeries are very natural-looking. The caveat is that if you are very young, you probably shouldn’t have a hair transplant because you may continue to lose hair around the transplant area. ---
**Author:** ![chadtrench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@chadtrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chadtrench)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762/20 "2015-03-24T07:04:32Z")
Thank you all for your posts! 🙂 Unfortunately, I already tried shaving it all. I looked horrible because I had this little bump near my forehead. Sort of like Ultraman if you know who he is. I haven’t tried wearing wigs yet. It sounds uncomfortable. I’ve read lots of good [bosley reviews](http://www.amazon.com/Bosley-Starter-Visibly-Thinning-Color-Treated/product-reviews/B003709CUE). How about them? Any feedback about them? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-hair-is-thinning-any-proven-solution/715762.md?page=2)