Alright bros, need some real talk about my hair situation:
- Been losing hair for 1 year (I’m 22)
- Went to derm, he said it’s from stress (??)
- Prescribed some oil + minoxidil
- Used for 2-3 months → hair fall actually reduced for 1 month (yay)
- Stopped treatment → hair loss came back (fml)
- Now back on minoxidil for 2-3 weeks
- Shedding like crazy again
- Hairline running away faster than my ex
- After shower, scalp looks way too visible
My Questions:
- If this is from stress, why won’t it stop?
- Did I screw up by stopping minoxidil last time?
- This new shed - normal or am I getting wrecked?
- Should I trust the stress diagnosis or get second opinion?
What’s Working Against Me:
- Still stressed (college + life)
- Not on fin (scared of sides)
Need Real Advice:
- How long to ride out this shed?
- Anyone recovered from stress-related loss?
- Should I add dermarolling or just pray?
Hi,
The cause of your hair loss doesn’t sound stress related to me at all. Yes, chronic stress can cause or worsen hair loss—but stress alone very rarely drives ongoing loss for a whole year. Stress related hair loss also doesn’t cause hairline recession, but rather diffuse shedding across the entire scalp. So keeping that in mind, it sounds like androgenic alopecia is causing your hair loss not stress.
As for the shedding you’re having right now its most likely due to starting minoxidil again. Minoxidil pushes follicles into a constant growth cycle, shedding older thinning hairs to make room for new thicker ones. Its also the same reason your hair loss started again when you quit minoxidil, as the follicles just go back to their old state of slowly dying. For it to work properly you need to keep using minoxidil consistently.
All this being said, I would definitely recommend seeking another dermatologists opinion because it’s very unlikely this is due to stress, and you will most likely have to hop on finasteride.
If its of any comfort, I don’t think the possible side effects of fin should scare you. Im 20, also in college (studying engineering) been using finasteride and minoxidil for the last 2 years without a single issue. Side effects are exceedingly rare.
- Good luck
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