How I Reversed My Hair Loss + Greying
Genetically, I should be bald.
I started to lose my hair and go gray in my late 20s. Now, at 46, I’ve got a full head of hair and ~50% of my gray is gone. Here’s how I did it:
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Start early and be proactive - I made the mistake of addressing my hair loss and graying after noticing it. By age 20, about 20% of men already have some visible hair loss. Many people lose up to 50% of their hair before they start to notice thinning. By age 50, up to 40% of women will have noticeable hair loss. Consider starting a hair health protocol before you can visibly detect loss.
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Nutrition - proper nutrition is important for hair health. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting adequate protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Iron, Zinc and Biotin. The Blueprint stack has all of these.
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Topical hair formulation - I use a topical solution, 1 mL applied to my scalp each morning (before bed is ok too). I then massage my scalp with a silicon scrubber for 1-2 minutes to stimulate blood flow. The formulation I use (listed below) is based upon a genetic test I completed (Blueprint 30% off) that predicted my response to various ingredients. The company then provides you with your custom Rx formulation.
Note I experimented with applying the topical 2x a day (morning and night) and my recent blood results showed my DHT levels too low at 5.8 ng/dL which can create side effects. I’m back at 1x daily and will retest my blood in 90 days.
If you’re on a budget or just want a basic solution, you can try out Minoxidil 5%. Note that some people experience side effects with a topical such as itchy skin, headaches etc. so monitor for those.
The ingredients in my formulation: Minoxidil (7%), Cetirizine HCl (1%), Latanoprost (0.004%), Dutasteride (0.25%), Melatonin (0.1%), Caffeine (0.2%), Tretinoin (0.0125%), Vitamin D3 (1,000IU/ML), Vitamin E (10 IU/ML).
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Red light cap - six minutes a day and you can be doing your morning routine as you wear it. Here’s one option for you (Blueprint for 20% off).
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Oral Minoxidil - I take 3.75 mg a day. I started with 2.5 mg and evaluated for side effects. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial involving 90 men with androgenetic alopecia AGA, oral minoxidil (5 mg daily) was found to have similar efficacy to topical minoxidil (5% solution applied twice daily) after 24 weeks. Oral minoxidil is generally considered safe at low doses, but it can have side effects. Common side effects include hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) and headaches.
If you want to start oral Minoxidil, you can get the Rx from our friend Dr. Marjon Vatanchi, Irvine Dermatology. 949-800-8551, Concierge@irvinedermatology.com .
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Gray hair reversal - I’ve been using this product (7% discount “Blueprint”) and have seen good results reversing my gray hair. I was around 70% gray and now about 30% gray. Others have told me that it didn’t do anything for them. If you try it, please share your results so that we have more of us learning of its efficacy.
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Blueprint hair health shampoo is possibly coming soon. We’ve been trailing this formulation and think it’s the best out there. We need to complete our assessment and if it passes, we’ll make it available to you later this year.
- Blueprint hair treatment is also in the works - I was doing PRP and PRF, where you draw blood and then separate out the plasma and then reinject the plasma back into your scalp. After diligently doing it for 12 months, we saw nearly no benefit. That stinks because it’s painful, expensive and time consuming. Seems PRP works for some but not all. So we turned our attention to another method that we’re excited about. We are completing our final assessment on this too and if it passes, will also be released later this year.
This protocol has worked remarkably well for me. That said, I know many people take oral finasteride and have good results. Luckily I’ve been able to avoid it and the risk of its side effects.
As with any new therapy, you’ll want to monitor for side effects. I’m doing multiple things simultaneously but that doesn’t mean you need to. Topical minoxidil 5% may be the only thing you need for good results. My objective is to openly share what I’m experimenting with so that you can decide what’s right for you. We’re still in the early days of anti-aging and likely know far less than we think we know. It’s helpful to remain humble.
A final note that I’m in touch with several companies that are building novel hair regrowth therapies. They are promising and exciting. They’re still years out but it’s cool to think that hair loss may no longer be a thing we have to think about. Just one reason why the future is going to be amazing. #dontdie
Good luck to you friends. Wishing you each the best in maintaining a full head of vibrant hair.
Bryan
Disclaimer: this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.
