Hi all, I (M31) am getting wed in a year (end of April 2026) and have noticed thinning hair on the frontal region and temples compared to the rest of my head.
I booked in with a hair clinic for a consultation and they confirmed that the hair in the front and sides are spaced out (with dead or weak follicles being in the space) and the hair is really thin (said it’s 1s and 2s) compared to the back of my head which is thick and even (2s and 3s).
They recommended 6-9 sessions of laser treatment at the clinic, alongside the use of a shampoo and conditioner that has Saw Palmetto. They were very against Minoxidil and Finasteride due to it being a life-long treatment and that it messes with hormones.
I’ve researched online and couldn’t really find much about the laser treatment being helpful, with some positives about Saw Palmetto.
Now, I don’t mind starting Minoxidil and Finasteride, my only concern is the ‘dread shed’ as I don’t want this to happen on my wedding day. Many online recommend starting a minimum of 4-6 months before the wedding to see results. However, I’ve read many posts about a second shed happening a year in.
This has all left me a bit confused on what to do and the timeline of things. Please could you give me some advice on which treatment I should start and when?
TL;DR: I have a wedding in a year (end of April 2026), do I start laser treatment with Saw Palmetto shampoo and conditioner or start taking Minoxidil and Finasteride? Also, when do I start this treatment to avoid ‘dread shed’ on wedding day?