Should I help my friend?

[BGP]

I have a friend whom I hadn't seen for 6 months and I recall him having a full head of hair. But just yesterday when I met up with him again he was well on his way to a NW III.

I didn't say anything about it - but the difference was clear, and I wanted to help him, but I didn't know if it was even right to.

Is it ethical to even bring up the topic with the intention of helping him? I don't want to assume everyone will be like me and care so much. Maybe it doesn't bother him at all. Maybe he's treating it. Maybe he's suffering in silence. I don't know.

Second question: If I do bring it up, how would I bring it up tactfully? I don't want to say "Hey baldy, want some fin?"...

Thanks.

[Spex]

Yes man - in my opinion. Help a brutha out.

[chrisis]

The most tactful way to bring it up is to talk casually about your own situation. Bring up the topic of hair in a very light way, then talk about how you're worried about your own hair loss but have taken steps to address it. If he's interested, he'll take the bait. If he's not, he will just listen. I'd personally not assume that his hair loss bothers him.

[Dan26]

Tell the poor balding bastard!
I could never recommend finasteride to anyone I know personally though, I would feel terrible if they had a negative experience.

Although, if I were to do that I would only recommend certain things that I have confidence will be safe, efficacious and worth while (so nothing FDA approved lol).

[chrisis]

Dan I'm the same with regard to finasteride. I just explain what happened to me, and I try to be fair by saying "for a lot of people it works without issue" etc.

I say to try minoxidil first. Drugs can come later, if minoxidil isn't working and desperation sets in. I'd recommend thorough research before getting on finasteride, doing some blood work, and then taking it slowly, with low doses. Better safe than sorry!

[StuckInARut]

Bring it up but what if he is fine with it? Not everyone cares that they are balding and just go on with their lives. Perhaps it doesn't bother him.

[Dan26]

Dan I'm the same with regard to finasteride. I just explain what happened to me, and I try to be fair by saying "for a lot of people it works without issue" etc.

I say to try minoxidil first. Drugs can come later, if minoxidil isn't working and desperation sets in. I'd recommend thorough research before getting on finasteride, doing some blood work, and then taking it slowly, with low doses. Better safe than sorry!

Yea bro, may as well test your luck with topical growth stimulants, even grey market stuff, before hormone therapy. Especially now when you consider what is on its way.

[BigThinker]

If you're close with your friend, you should have an idea how he would react to a blow to his aesthetics. If he is already shy/timid and mentally unstable, I would probably be extremely gentle but stern about it. If he is the type to not think much of it, you may as well.