A Health Adventure

I started taking Propecia (finasteride) a month ago and I am experiencing side effects.  Is there anything I can do?  What can I do to prevent myself from going bald?  I’ve also heard that women can’t use Propecia, is this true?

This question was posed by a hair loss sufferer on our hair restoration forum and answered by Dr. Michael Beehner of Saratoga Springs, NY who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

If you are experiencing side effects with Propecia, you might want to try a much smaller dose regimen, which is likely to still help you prevent hair loss, and at the same time possibly reduce or remove the side effects. I have had many male hair transplant patients of mine, especially those over 45, use a half tablet of Propecia (finasteride) every other day. This averages out to 0.25mg/day. Merck’s own research showed a 62% reduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with only 0.2mg/day.

With regard to breaking Propecia tablets in half, you use an ordinary “pill cutter” (around $3.20 at Wal-Mart or any drug store). The official line you will sometimes hear is that the hair loss medication is not evenly distributed throughout the 1mg (or the 5mg Proscar or generic) tablet, so the dose is not predictable, but I think this is overdone.  Besides, most doses are probably more than you need and do work to suppress tissue DHT for nearly 3 days, so I wouldn’t worry about that.

You are right: women cannot take this hair loss drug, because of the danger of a male infant having birth defects and also because it really doesn’t work for most female pattern hair loss.

Mike Beehner, M.D.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

I have an extremely large forehead which has been bothering me for the past 10 or so years. I have been wearing baseball caps now for years to hide this.  I don’t go out to certain places that do not allow caps etc and i stopped playing football.  I was wondering if it would be possible to get a hair transplant to lower my forehead about an inch in front of my hairline? I have a good hairline, just a large forehead! What are the costs of this hair replacement procedure?

Yes, hair restoration surgery could be a possible option for you however, consulting with a first-rate hair restoration physician is key to determine whether or not you are a good candidate.  The hair loss doctor will evaluate your scalp and determine whether or not you are a hair transplant candidate based on a number of factors including age, if you have or may experience any hair loss, your donor hair availability (hair density and scalp elasticity), etc.

The cost of hair transplant will vary between hair transplant clinics and depending on the type of surgery you have - follicular unit transplantation (fut) or follicular unit extraction (fue).    The number of follicular unit grafts needed and sessions needed to accomplish your hair restoration goals will also make a difference.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Martin Tessler Southfield, MI who is an elite member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

I have thinning hair on my crown and have been losing my hair for about 3 years now. I am 25 and it is really starting to disturb me and curb my social activities. I am worried about continuing further hair loss and it getting even worse.  I want to get a hair transplant to thicken up the crown area and perhaps look at adding something to the receding hairline.  I’m currently on Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) for about 1.5 years.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Without examining you in person it is difficult to give you a definitive answer. From the photos you look like you have a fairly dense donor area and that your hair has some curl to it. Also, if you have a lot of finer, shorter hairs in the crown that are only an inch or so in length you could be a candidate for a relatively small hair restoration procedure even though you are only 25. Over the past 10 years I have done a single smaller surgery on hundreds of young balding men who are willing to take Propecia. The surgery and the Propecia work together, where we see very significant hair growth that exceeds expectations. Most of these hair transplant patients have had minimal further hair loss as long as they continue Propecia. Since a very small amount of donor hair is used, in many there is no real downside. They return for refills on their hair loss medication, not more surgery.

Dr. Tessler

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Hair Transplant Patient Photo Albums of the Week

Get past the hype of commercialized claims and come to our hair restoration forum to see “real deal” before and after hair restoration pictures posted by real hair transplant patients.  In a world of uncertainty and commercialism, what you see is what you get on our hair loss forum.

Well respected forum member “NervousNelly” shares his 6 month hair transplant photo update.  NervousNelly had his hair replacement surgery performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro and received approximately 2900 follicular unit grafts.  Though he still has a lot more hair growth to come, he is already seeing the great benefit of hair transplantation.  Be sure to congratulate him on his new head of hair.  See also his before and immediately postoperative hair transplant photos by clicking here.

Forum member “Avrian” received 3000 follicular unit grafts with Dr. Wong and has returned to our hair loss forum to share his one year hair transplant result with us.  Click here to see his photos and congratulate him on his new hair.

Click here to see over 5 years of hair transplant patient posted photo albums and experiences shared.  To create your very own free hair loss blog, click here.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

I’ve been using Propecia and Rogaine for hair loss for about 6 months but am considering stopping Rogaine.  My question is, can Propecia in itself be effective in maintaing the hair that I grew from Rogaine?

I suppose this is possible, but unfortunately, there is no guarantee Propecia (finasteride) will help maintain any hair growth from Rogaine (minoxidil).  Stopping Rogaine may result in hair loss of these regrown hairs.

In my opinion, if both hair loss treatments are working for you, consider staying on both.

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of theHair Transplant Networkand theHair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog