I think it can act as an accelerator of hair loss via pressure alopecia, but only through very specific circumstances – for instance, really tight hats worn for multiple hours with little (if any) movement or breaks while wearing the hat. For most usage parameters, I think hats are not contributive!

Thanks for the kind words, Ayush!

Right now, in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re experiencing a period of increased shedding due to seasonality. This tends to peak in July and August. So, perhaps some of your recent shedding could be attributed to this.

Otherwise, the shedding might be related to the advancement of AGA. Technically speaking, since you are 20 years old, you are qualified for a prescription of finasteride. If that’s something you want to try, another dermatologist should be able to prescribe it to you. To mitigate the risk of side effects, you can always start with topical and see how you respond. Perhaps your dermatologist would be more likely to start you with a topical formulation first.

Best,
Rob

My hair follicles are becoming smaller. But hair loss progresses slowly. I have been taking finasteride for more than a year. Also has been taking vitamin zinc and so on. There was no significant improvement. What do you think may be my reason?

Wonderful write up. I must say your article explains so much. Thank you for it.

However, I would like to get your opinion on my experience. I am 33 years old, and most recently I have moved to the UK from Singapore for the first time in my life. I have had hair loss for the past 5 years however it wasn’t really obvious, it was receding on the temples and slightly thinning at the top. However, I’ve noticed my hair shedding at a very rapid rate once I moved to the UK. Could the weather and the water have accelerated my hair loss?

Thank you

-with all the things I have mentioned and additionally a healthy balanced diet (eating liver, beef, fish, oyster, a lot of raw green vegetable, fruits potatoe, rice, banana as a staple), everyday sun exposure, active lifestyle, weekly derma rolling and no shampoo: would it still be ok to use topical minoxidil as a bonus? Or do you think that the 95% alcohol might have negative effects on my scalp? (of course, our scalps would react differently but in general, would you rate minoxidil as a positive extra?)

Hope you have time to answer.

In terms of your causes/symptoms table, I do have minor scalp irritation maybe once or twice a week. I do think I am long term sleep deprived and get 6 or less than 6 hours of sleep most days. My weight loss regime is long term calorie deficit (50-100 calories less than what I use) and I also weight train 5 days a week, so my diet is mainly protein based. I don’t take any medication but I do take Cod Liver Oil and Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM Complex Liquid (joint health). I do feel sluggish most days and low energy/tired. I’m not sure if I’m low on Vit D but I think the Cod Liver Oil covers that? I very rarely get headaches and never get brain fog. I do have some body acne too.

Any advice would be recommended. My research and also reading the Ben M Case Study indicates that I should get more sunlight (I guess supplements aren’t as good) and sleep more. Sleep deprivation raises cortisol levels which can reduce thyroid function, so in that way it makes sense.