You started treatment expecting improvement, and instead, you're losing more hair than before. This is the dreaded shedding phase—and it's actually a sign that treatment is working. Here's how to get through it with your sanity intact.
Coping Strategies
- Don't count hairs: Obsessive monitoring increases anxiety without changing outcomes
- Take monthly photos only: Daily mirror checks amplify perceived loss
- Stay the course: Stopping treatment during shedding wastes the progress you've already made
- Connect with others: Online communities are full of men who've been through it
- Set a 6-month checkpoint: That's the minimum time for meaningful assessment
When to Be Concerned
Shedding that continues beyond 3-4 months may warrant discussion with your provider. Severe shedding with scalp irritation could indicate a reaction to treatment. Shedding in unusual patterns (patches rather than diffuse) should be evaluated.
The Light at the End
Almost every success story includes a shedding chapter. The men with impressive before/after photos went through the same phase you're in now. Trust the process, stay consistent, and know that it gets better.
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