Shedding from Propecia — Will That Hair Regrow?

I was wondering…when a person begins taking Finasteride, they go thru an accelerated shedding period that lasts roughly 3-6 months. After this initial period of shedding, just say that the Finasteride works and stabilizes the loss. Does the person end up growing back the hair that was lost during the accelerated shed? What if it doesn’t grow back? Is this the price that you must pay to halt or slow down loss with Finasteride? Do you have to take your amount of hair a step down in order maintain whatever’s left?

What if you fall into that 20-25% category of users who don’t respond to Finasteride in terms of hair stabilization? You could end up just accelerating your loss for those 6 months for no reason at all. Whether you stay on it or off, after this period, you will continue to lose. This is a big risk for people thinking about taking meds.

Shedding after starting Propecia isn’t a common occurrence, but I’ve heard reports that it does happen on rare occasions. It is more common with Rogaine (minoxidil) use, though. If we assume that there was some shedding from Propecia, I do not have much faith that those hairs would grow back.

The “what if” part about “20-25% chances” to your question is moot… because if it happens to you, it is 100%. And I do not believe there is a “big risk”, because you are taking a medication to slow down the hair loss (not accelerate it). Please speak to your doctor and be sure to have your hair loss monitored with miniaturization mappings, so that any loss or gain can be charted.

Shock loss after a hair transplant

Is shock loss after HT worse if you’re on fin and min than if wouldn’t be taking any medication? And how long does it last approximately? I’ve lost a lot of native hairs as well.

Finasteride takes time in some men. Give it a full year before drawing conclusions. I have found that in close to 100% of men, the drug will slow, stop, or reverse the hair loss. Slowing it down is common and sometimes hard to detect unless the drug is stopped, when hair loss will immediately accelerate. Stopping hair loss is less common, and reversing it is even less common (more common in men under 23). Finasteride is very effective at preventing hair loss

My Father Has a Class 5 Pattern of Balding. I Am Now 40 and I Am Looking like My Dad. Should I Consider a Hair System?

The hair loss patterns are inherited. The Class 7 pattern is only inherited in 7% of men and most men are there before they are 30. If you are a Class 5 and 30 years old, you are probably going to stay that way. Hair systems accelerate hair loss because the glue and attachment mechanisms produce traction alopecia.


2018-06-22 13:19:05My Father Has a Class 5 Pattern of Balding. I Am Now 40 and I Am Looking like My Dad. Should I Consider a Hair System?

Short Hairs That Don’t Grow. Why Is It? (photo)

The first sign of early recession might be miniaturized hairs that usually don’t grow to full length. I would see a doctor who can check your entire head with the HAIRCHECK test to find out if you are losing hair anywhere else. The hairs that don’t grow are most likely miniaturizing hairs that will eventually fall out and not regrow.


2020-02-19 07:51:58Short Hairs That Don’t Grow. Why Is It? (photo)

Female with Corner Hair Loss and High Hairline (Photo)

The appearance of thinning in the corners of a female hairline is common as age sets in. A hair transplant can easily address this as well as the high hairline and the ledge shown on the upper front of the forehead, which suggests a hairline that is higher than the normal female hairline position.

Should I Have Scalp Reduction Surgery for a Small Bald Spot Above My Ear?

Hello,

After having a bald spot on the left side of my head for 28 years, I’d like to do something about it. The bald spot is circular in shape and 2cm in diameter, about 7cm directly above my left ear. The hair fell out when I was 2 and the bald spot has remained the same size for as long as I can remember. I am able to cover it with hair surrounding it, but it does take an emotional toll on me as I see it every day and I have to be very careful every month when having my haircut.

I saw a dermatologist about a year ago who told me it’s triangular alopecia. He was not able to locate any hair follicles under the skin, and told me the chance of regrowth is slim to none, especially as there has been no hair there for 28 years. He suggested we first try cortisone injections which did not work, and then referred me to a specialist. I went to see a specialist and he recommended scalp reduction surgery given the small area and lack of hair follicles.

I’ve done some reading on scalp reduction surgery, on your blog and others. The risks seem to be significant (stretchback, slot scaring, hair angled incorrectly, etc.) and it’s clear you’re not a proponent. I’ve also been unable to find any success stories/testimonials online. I’m going to ask the specialist to share more information (# of surgeries he’s done, before/after photos, # of surgeries I’ll need, risks, type of incision, etc.), but before doing so I’m hoping to get your advice.

Given the small area (2cm in diameter) and being able to cover with existing hair, do you think this is a case for a successful scalp reduction surgery? If not, are there any alternatives you’d suggest (e.g., Rogaine, hair transplant)? Both my dad and grandpa have full heads of hair, so I’m not really worry about the hair on the left side of my head receding back to the site of the bald spot.

Thanks for your help!

Scalp reduction surgery, in my opinion, generally carries more risks than benefits. Small scars such as you describe do not do well with scalp reductions, as I have seen many patients for consultations over the years with failed scalp reduction / scar revision surgeries and difficult scars that result from the surgery.

Triangular alopecia is best treated with hair transplant surgery.

For a better assessment diagnosis and treatment options, please follow up with your doctor. Or if you are in the Los Angeles area, you can also visit me for a consultation.

Female Hair Loss from Graves’ Disease?

(female)
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) a few years ago and it has caused hair loss. I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins to help prevent the loss but it is still thinning fast. Is there any help out there for me? Desperate for Answers

Other than getting control of the Graves’ disease, I don’t know of any specific treatment for hair loss resulting from it. If you have the disease under control, the hair will likely come back! Give it a full year.

Should I use minoxidil with my transplanted hair?

Minoxidil will have no value to the transplanted hairs. Minoxidil’s has value is in the non-transplanted areas. I performed a study where I had patients apply minoxidil to 1/3rd of the transplanted area (to manage overlap) and then compared both the speed of growth and the thickness of the end result. There was no difference between the treated sides and the non-treated sides.

Female with massive hair loss

I am a 28 year old single female. 3 years ago I started losing a lot of hair, my my estimate almost 70% of my hair. Now I have started multivitamin for the past 3 months and the hair stopped falling out and some regrowth has happened. Shall I get PRP added to what I am doing?

If you have seen value from taking multivitamins, then you may have a Vitamin deficiency and you should get the various blood tests to document which type of problem you have rather than treat it blindly. Doing PRP is just grasping for straws and does not make sense in the absence of a diagnosis and you may be wasting your money or worse, losing hair while you fail to get the right treatment for your ‘unknown’ condition.