Hair Update: October 21, 2024

It is almost the end of October and progress has been slowly marching forward. I also made some changes to my routine using some new information I have learned.

Perfect Hair Heath on YouTube has been an excellent resource. Their scientific approach is amazingly detailed without jumping to conclusions unless there is firm evidence. Which is better, compared to someone like me, whose only confirmation of what works is what I see happening to myself.

One major breakthrough if you can call it that, is discovering the best length of needles for microneedling. Basically, it should be around 0.5mm. But I chose to go a little higher at 0.7mm. The main point was that if you went too deep, it actually hurts your results rather than help it. Instead, we should be going right before the hair bulb which is way shallower. The pain difference between the preferred depth and what I've been using was significant. I actually got used to the pain so the shallower depth felt like nothing.

 

 

 

What do you guys think? For me I see tiny clumps of hair starting to thicken up. To be honest, the top and front views were pretty bleh.

 

So what am I doing different.

I have been using the a foam version of Minoxidol and taking a 0.25mg dose of Finasteride. As for microneedling, I switched from a roller style to a stamp. And I got to say, while it is more expensive, you definitely should consider using a stamp over a roller. For one, you've got all the lengths in a single tool. Two, a stamp simply hurts way less.

Rollers might be cheaper, but the stamp is just a better investment overall.

This side in particular is particularly ugly. And it has always been that way... My birthmark side had the worse recession you could imagine. But it is starting to look better and less empty in that area. I mean if you just looked at the sides, you probably wouldn't even know I was bald at one point.

Finasteride Update: October 11, 2024

My very first oral Finasteride update, but before I get too far, you probably have some questions. What the hell have I been smoking, did I just forget everything that happened the last year or so? Perhaps I was microneedling a little too hard and popped my brain.

Let me explain.

Up to this point, I've been taking Finasteride by mixing it into Minoxidil. But I have since ran out and could not find that same liquid stuff I've been using at Costco, so being the lazy guy that I am, I just grabbed the foam alternative then called it a day. Except now I have a predicament, I cannot take the Finasteride topically anymore with these sealed containers.

By the time you see this update, I have been following this regiment for a couple weeks. 

And here is my experience so far:

For the first few days, I took a whole 1mg pill. What I noticed in my body was that I felt different, nothing alarming, just felt like changes are happening. My focus was off like there was something affecting me mentally. But I wasn't feeling unmotivated or any lack of energy per se, also my sex drive was unchanged.

I decided to cut the dosage in half. I usually have this mental fog that happens naturally, so I cannot pin that on the Finasteride. After a few more days on the 0.5mg, I noticed some strangeness. My focus was getting worse and it felt like I was always inside my head, but the main thing was my erection was noticeably weaker. Like those nights where you drank a little too much and can't perform, this was happening while I was sober. I felt tired, just this drained feeling that hit me both mentally and physically. It is interesting because I've only been taking it for a short period of time, how can I get side effects so soon. I do not know what is going on, but something is definitely going on.

Now we are here at the current state of my short experiment. I wanted to try taking that higher dosage longer to see what happens. But I kept getting that spaced out, tired, and lazy feeling. It was starting to really annoy me. A new thing I noticed was that I am calmer and not as quick to get mad, which is good for my road rage. But to be extra cautious, I cut my dosage down to a half of a half. So I am now only taking a quarter of a pill a day. 

So far, I don't feel that weird hormonal change going on with this lighter dose. I did notice my hair was getting thicker and quicker. Like way faster than it ever did while I was doing that topical thing, I noticed changes that took 6 months to happen, happening in a couple months instead.

Trying a New Shampoo: Dr. FORHAIR Made for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

I’ve always been someone willing to mix it up and test things which I find interesting.

So, my journey started at Costco, as most interesting journeys do. I was looking for Minoxidil, but for some reason, the liquid form is no where to be found. It seems like there is a shortage of liquid Minoxidil but plenty of the foam ones. Looks like I will be forced to change up my Finasteride/Minoxidil routine, I assume that I won't be able to mix them together like I've been doing. 

So I am reverting back to taking Finasteride orally.

Not fun.

But through my research at Youtube, of all places, it seems like people are getting good results by straying from the recommendations. People are taking half the dose (or less), skipping days, taking rest periods... and the results looked promising. This is all in an effort to reduce or eliminate any side effects, and if I can do that while taking the pill then this might be a worthwhile experiment. More on that later, but for now let us get back to the shampoo.

First Impressions: Packaging and Scent

The first thing that caught my eye was the sleek, minimalist design of the bottle. It looked modern and eco-friendly, almost like it was calling out to be used in a high-end salon. Speaking as someone who has Moroccanoil products all over the house. But what really drew me in was the scent. The moment I opened the bottle, I was greeted by a refreshing fragrance—like Head and Shoulders shampoo but less strong. Is it weird that I like that chemical smell?

 

 

 

It actually reminded me a lot of many dandruff shampoos out there, such as: Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and so on. They all have a certain smell to them, kind of medical with slight aroma of freshness. 

It certainly isn't a bad smell, but it does smell unique. Like the first time you lather up, you will take a whiff and go "hmmm" it is quite interesting.

 

 

 

When I first saw the bottle, I assumed this was another gimmicky snake-oil type of scam. But because this was being sold at Costco, that gave it some credibility, so I decided to get a closer look. We've all the seen million products out there that claim to grow your hair back... but don't do anything except make you poorer. As I was reading the packaging, I saw all the bold claims in red lettering. Which didn't alleviate any of the scam vibes until I saw that this was made in Korea. As we all know, Korea makes some of the best beauty products out there. 

At this point, I am pretty much sold. A product made in Korea that claims to be able to grow my hair back? I'd be willing to give this a try!

The Application: A Luxurious Lather

When I finally got around to using it, I was a bit skeptical about whether it would do anything. But as soon as I massaged it into my scalp, I noticed how rich and creamy the lather was. It felt soft, almost buttery, as it glided through my hair... okay what is left of it.

What I loved most was that a little product went a long way. I didn’t feel like I needed to use half the bottle to get that perfect lather. It made me feel like I was giving my hair and scalp this refreshing treat. And trust me on that, a little does go a long way. I was overly generous the first time and it felt like I just scooped out a bunch of lard and plopped it on my head.

Rinse and Repeat? Let’s Talk Texture

After rinsing the shampoo out, my hair already felt different. It wasn’t the typical squeaky-clean feeling some shampoos leave behind; instead, it felt hydrated and smooth. My scalp felt refreshed, like I had just washed away a long day of stress. Are we supposed to follow up with conditioner? I have no idea. But I wanted to see how this new shampoo performed on its own.

I could not find any instruction on how much or how often I should use this product. Could I use it everyday for optimal hair lusciousness? And would that be too much? Also no idea. So I turned to someone with all the answers, Google. According to people online, it seems like you could just use this as you see fit. Leave it in a bit for your scalp to absorb the concoction, then treat it like any other shampoo.

Good enough for me.

Maybe someday I will look at the bottle again to see if it is actually on there, but I didn't see anything from my 10-second glance.

Post-Wash Results: The Real Test

Once my hair was dry, I started to notice the real effects of this new shampoo. 

My hair felt incredibly soft, but it was undeniably dry. It left a nice tingly feeling on my scalp, with all the oil and grease removed. As for the volume? It wasn’t overly dramatic, but there was definitely a noticeable lift at the roots. What I appreciated was that my hair didn’t feel weighed down or greasy, which sometimes happens with natural shampoos.

My hair is still really short from buzzing it off a few weeks ago, so it is hard to tell for sure what results I'm getting. So I asked my girlfriend to give it a try and tell me what she thinks. For her, the volume and fluffiness was definitely there. But she said her hair felt super dried out after using it. Plus the smell wasn't the most pleasant, but it wasn't bad.

The Verdict: A New Staple in My Routine?

Trying a new shampoo can be hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit for me. While I can’t speak to its long-term effects just yet, my first impression is a positive one. I’m excited to see how my hair responds after multiple uses, and I may have just found a new staple for my hair care routine.

Would I recommend it? 

Absolutely. But only if it actually makes a significant change in hair volume like it claims.

As of this writing, I've only used this shampoo twice. So you guys will be updated with longer term results once I can gauge whether this has any effect on hair loss.

Have you tried a new shampoo lately? If so, I’d love to hear your experiences.

 

 

After a couple uses I noticed the peach fuzz on my head getting noticeably thicker. But only after a couple uses? That is too quick to be realistic. And here is where I messed up, I also started using the foam Minoxidil and taking Finasteride orally.

So take my miracle cure claims with a grain of salt. I'm pretty much just winging it.

The Importance of Stretching: Enhancing Physical Health and Well-being

Stretching, often overlooked in favor of more dynamic exercise routines, plays a critical role in maintaining and enhancing physical health. Integrating regular stretching into your daily routine can bring a multitude of benefits, from improved flexibility and range of motion to reduced risk of injury and enhanced mental well-being. 

Today let's get into some key reasons why stretching is essential for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. 

I realize this blog is about hair, but there is only so much I can write about while waiting for the treatment to work. A big part of treating hair loss, as I've come to realize, it is a "hurry up and wait" type of game. So while we are waiting to see the results of my ideas, let's talk about stretching.

For me, I was firmly in the "I don't need to stretch and will never need to!" camp. I have always been able to get a good workout, run, play sports, do everything I wanted to do without wasting time on that boring old-people stuff... like stretching? 

Are you kidding me!?

But as I got older, the reality of our bodies hit me. When you are young, like a new car, you can abuse the crap out of it. But as the miles tick higher, some of the parts you wore out a little too early becomes a problem. A big problem. Unlike a car, we cannot swap out our joints and bones for new ones. So we need to take care of them to get the maximum mileage.

Also, I can never get enough of the car analogies.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion

When you get a sinking feeling over the fact that you are now officially old, then you will understand.

One of the most obvious benefits of stretching is improved flexibility. Regular stretching helps lengthen muscles and increase the range of motion in joints, which can enhance physical performance and reduce the likelihood of injuries. For athletes, this means better performance, while for the general population, it translates to easier movement in daily activities, such as bending, reaching, or even walking.

My range of motion, on the other hand, is abysmal. I always feel like my back is way too rigid for my age, now that stiffness is spreading to my legs. Do you remember how grandpa would grunt when bending down, and do it in an awkwardly stiff manner? That is me right now.

Reduced Risk of Injury

Stretching prepares your muscles for physical activity. 

I hurt my lower back in my early 20's. But it was no big deal, I just had to stop for a few minutes and catch my breath. I was showing off at the gym by lifting way heavier than I normally did for an exercise I didn't particularly like. All I did was squat a little too much. I toughed it out then shook it off, it was never a problem again after that.

It wasn't until my 30's that my little injury came back with a vengeance. I bent down to pick up a small bag, and felt that little bite. I was sore in the same spot again, but I shook it off and kept doing what I was doing. 

Later that night, I felt the worse pain I have ever felt. Sharp pain shooting down my legs with every step I took, and this time... I could not shake it off. It was the sort of pain that cuts you to your very core, there was nothing else like it.

So make sure you take a little time and get your body ready for the exercise. When muscles are flexible and warmed up, they are less likely to experience strains and sprains. By incorporating a little stretching before exercise and more stretching after, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.

Enhanced Circulation

Stretching helps improve blood circulation throughout the body. Better circulation means that muscles receive more oxygen and nutrients, which can help reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery after workouts. The benefits almost goes hand-in-hand with the overall goal of helping you live a longer and healthier lifestyle.

And improving your well-being saves you money on visits to the doctor and lifelong prescriptions.

Better Posture and Balance

In today's sedentary lifestyle, poor posture is a common issue. Sitting for long periods can lead to tight muscles and imbalances, which affect posture and alignment. Regular stretching, especially of the muscles in the back, shoulders, and chest, can help counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and improve posture. Additionally, stretching helps enhance balance and coordination, which is particularly beneficial for older adults in preventing falls and maintaining independence.

We under estimate how important posture is. We truly do.

You would assume having bad posture means slouching or simply looking a little less confident. But it can affect your spine, at least for me it did. And it hurt! I had lower back problems that I simply could not figure out, plus I noticed that my ribs were sticking out way more than it ever did. After going to doctors, chiropractors, and all that jazz... I realized it was the way I was sitting. Instead of sitting straight, I was arching my back too much. Over time that became how I sat and stood, it just felt the most comfortable. 

I was looking in the mirror doing a side profile, and something looked off. My body wasn't straight even though it felt like it was. My lower back arched a little too much and my ribs stuck out too far, so I adjusted myself to straighten things out. Long story short, after fighting through some pain I managed to relearn the correct posturing. By actively trying to engage my core to suck my stomach in, my back pain got significantly better and my ribs don't stick out anymore. I guess I was that way for so long, my abs forgot how to hold everything in line.

So don't dismiss posture as something cosmetic, every now and then you need to look at yourself in the mirror and assess. It might take a few weeks but you can correct any bad habits to look better overall.

Stress Relief and Mental Clarity

Stretching is not just beneficial for the body but also for the mind. Stretching exercises can help reduce stress by relaxing tense muscles and promoting the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. 

Incorporating stretching into a regular routine can lead to improved mental clarity, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of well-being.Which is a nice added bonus, you can get loosened up both physically and mentally.