Hair regrowth on HRT?
Hair regrowth on HRT?
Hi y’all - how much can someone expect male pattern baldness to reverse on HRT? I’m 29 and still have a pretty full head of hair, and it’s getting pretty long (at my shoulders, now!), but I can definitely tell my hairline is receding, especially in the upper corners. It’s probably not too obvious, but I’m very self conscious about it. I haven’t started HRT yet, although I want to soon. How much hair regrowth might I be able to expect, if any? I’m not inherently opposed to doing something like hair plugs if I have to, but I’d prefer to avoid it if I can
Broadly speaking, you can regain what you've lost in the previous 7 years or so. It takes years though. And it's not guaranteed. Most people regain some hair on HRT, but like all things genetic, it's a dice roll
Thank you! Do you think minoxidil is effective enough that I should think about taking until I can start HRT?
Minoxidil can definitely give a lot of regrowth, especially when you're on HRT so there's a lot less DHT in your system to fuck with the regrowth effects of it. However, there are some drawbacks. A big one is that even topical minoxidil frequently causes increased body hair growth which is generally undesirable for trans women. It won't turn you into a hurry werewolf overnight so you could do it, see how it works for you, then stop. Similarly due to the lack of DHT in your system, the consequences for going off it are significantly less than with a cis man.
I haven't personally used minoxidil but that's the information I've gathered over time from people I know and things I've read online.
I have, however, used finasteride and oh boy let me tell you I fuckin love it. I ended up getting hair transplants to fill in my temples anyway but I was seeing regrowth in the corners, just slower than what I wanted for my transition timeline. It was also helpful for some unfortunate density issues I had on my crown but the very best thing it did for me, or at least likely had a part in, was decreased body hair. I used to grow this wiry gross hair on my shoulders and it just stopped entirely after a few months on HRT and finasteride. I know HRT slows body hair growth over time but this was super fast so I generally attribute it to the finasteride.
You may get some regrowth. My half spots that formed my widow's peak grow in with whispies when I take my finasteride, but I HATE antiandrogens and how they make my body feel so I use clever makeup tricks to hide the tiny bald spots.
I'm over three years and am just now seeing wispy baby hairs showing up in the corners of my hairline. I never really had a receding hairline though, just a more "masculine" shape with square corners. I solved the problem by just taking the plunge and getting bangs. Now I virtually never see or think about my hairline at all.