Here’s one for the “life pro tips” category since Less Wrong users are mostly male. It seems as though the best way to deal with balding is to catch it as early as possible, because that’s the time drug treatments (well Finasteride at least) are most effective. Of the “big 3″ baldness treatments, ketoconazole shampoo is available over the counter and has few side effects reported online. (It’s also used as an anti-dandruff shampoo.) (EDIT: Looks like it is not recommended to take orally, although I don’t see anyone saying that topical application carries risks. Here’s a study saying it’s about as effective as minoxidil?) I recently noticed that my hairline has receded ever so slightly… after doing some research, I bought some ketoconazole shampoo and am planning to start using it. This brand seems to have fewer bad experience reports and fewer shill reviews on Amazon than other brands. Thoughts? (BTW although it’s the safest, ketoconazole also seems to be the least effective of the balding treatments… you should probably hop on the Finasteride if you have a serious problem. More info.)
Catching it early is important for sure. I’ve been using minoxidil for 3 years since my early twenties and my hairline has not receded at all since then, but it also hasn’t recovered much. The generic minoxidil is quite cheap, I pay about 40 dollars a year.
Edit: I haven’t tried Finasteride as I hear rumors of awful sexual symptoms.
Here’s one for the “life pro tips” category since Less Wrong users are mostly male. It seems as though the best way to deal with balding is to catch it as early as possible, because that’s the time drug treatments (well Finasteride at least) are most effective. Of the “big 3″ baldness treatments, ketoconazole shampoo is available over the counter and has few side effects reported online. (It’s also used as an anti-dandruff shampoo.) (EDIT: Looks like it is not recommended to take orally, although I don’t see anyone saying that topical application carries risks. Here’s a study saying it’s about as effective as minoxidil?) I recently noticed that my hairline has receded ever so slightly… after doing some research, I bought some ketoconazole shampoo and am planning to start using it. This brand seems to have fewer bad experience reports and fewer shill reviews on Amazon than other brands. Thoughts? (BTW although it’s the safest, ketoconazole also seems to be the least effective of the balding treatments… you should probably hop on the Finasteride if you have a serious problem. More info.)
BTW, there’s the ‘Boring advice repository’, consider cross-posting or linking to this there, so that it would not get lost.
Catching it early is important for sure. I’ve been using minoxidil for 3 years since my early twenties and my hairline has not receded at all since then, but it also hasn’t recovered much. The generic minoxidil is quite cheap, I pay about 40 dollars a year.
Edit: I haven’t tried Finasteride as I hear rumors of awful sexual symptoms.