The Long Game of Regrowth: My Eight-Year Hair Loss Journey
For eight years, I’ve been locked in a quiet, daily struggle with my own hair loss. This was me before any treatment—a snapshot of what was slipping away. Two years later, after starting a routine, I saw progress. Then, two years after that, things worsened again. Just three months into a new, stronger regimen, I turned the corner. You’re seeing the result of that battle today. I've tested products proven to work and others still in the experimental phase. What I’ll share now is what I believe works best—and what I’m using right now in 2026. More importantly, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how I use these treatments, so you can follow along if you wish.
The Pill That Changes Everything: Finasteride
Let’s start with the heavyweight: finasteride. I won’t spend much time on what it is because you likely already know. It’s a small pill you take once a day, ideally in the morning. What it does is block the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT is the primary hair loss hormone, so stopping its production can have the highest impact of any treatment. To see for yourself, compare my state before finasteride with the results two years later. A few remarks: I did not have a hair transplant. This regrowth is possible with consistent daily use of finasteride alone. Yes, it took two years—a slow process—but you will see progress along the way. Don’t get discouraged. This is a prescription-only pill; there’s no way around it. However, you can use a tele-health provider like Ulo to have it shipped directly to your home. Links are in the description.
When Finasteride Isn’t Enough: The Minoxidil-Microneedling Combo
Now, if you have strong hair loss like I do, finasteride might not be enough on its own. The best my hair ever looked on finasteride alone was this. But two years later, the drug began to lose its effectiveness, and I started losing ground again. That was 2022. Here’s the status of my hair at that moment. I know it’s stressful, but keep calm—there is a solution. That’s when I introduced topical minoxidil. Unlike finasteride, minoxidil does not stop the hair loss hormone. Instead, it strengthens thinning hair. Where finasteride prevents further loss, minoxidil thickens what you still have. This is crucial and explains why these two products work so well together.
I recently made a video about the main issue with minoxidil: because it’s a liquid, your scalp needs to absorb it, but we have a thick layer of skin that prevents most of the product from reaching the hair roots. That’s why many people see no results. To address this, I microneedle my scalp. Here were my results after three months of combining minoxidil with microneedling. Let me answer your likely questions now. Microneedling can be done with a derma stamp or a derma pen. I no longer recommend the roller because it’s better to create precise micropunctures from up to down. Once those micro-channels are made, minoxidil can penetrate deep into the hair root, making it work better.
A few tips: Use microneedling once per week, on Sundays. That’s enough. Skip minoxidil on microneedling days to avoid irritating your skin too much. Apply minoxidil every day except Sunday. Use a maximum needle length of 1.5 mm on your scalp—more than that is unnecessary and can cause harm. I personally use 1.5 mm, but a recent study shows that anywhere from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm works well for hair. I prefer a derma stamp or pen with titanium needles, which are more durable than stainless steel. I use a brand called Folly Key—all links are in the description. The derma stamp is cheaper (about $20) but needs replacement every three months. The derma pen ($70) is automatic and lasts longer because you replace only the cartridges.
Which Minoxidil Brand to Trust
I always say: better safe than sorry. Don’t jump on the first Amazon brand just because it’s cheaper. Many of those companies come from China, and their quality is dubious at best. I’ve been using minoxidil from the brand Ulo, and it’s my top choice for two reasons. First, while most brands have a 5% concentration, theirs has 7%. Seven percent has been proven to be the ideal concentration for best results. Second, and most importantly, you can get a formulation with tretinoin solution. This is my most recommended pick. Remember the issue of non-responders? When minoxidil is combined with tretinoin, it has been shown to turn 43% of non-responders into responders. So, it’s what I use and recommend. All links are in the description.
Bonus Tips for Extra Kick
We’ve covered the big three: finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling. What comes next is optional—not mandatory. It’s for those who want an extra boost and want to make sure they’re doing everything possible to maintain and regrow their hair. None of this is sponsored; these are my personal picks for extra care. Bonus tip one: use a 2% ketoconazole shampoo. It must be 2%—otherwise, it doesn’t work. Use it once per week, letting it sit on your scalp for at least seven minutes before washing it off. Bonus tip two: an LED hair growth helmet. I have one from iRestore that I’ve been using for a while. Like the ketoconazole shampoo, it won’t regrow hair on its own, but it can stimulate further growth by energizing the mitochondria in hair cells, prolonging the anagen phase. This one is probably the best you can buy, but it’s expensive. Cheaper options exist, like a brand called Well. Either way, use them only if you’re also using the core treatments—finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling. Otherwise, they won’t do much.
If you found this helpful, you might want to see my results when I was only using finasteride. Until next time, I wish you a happy hair journey.