Can your hair thin while you have been taking Finasteride for close to 2 years? (Photos)

Question

I started taking Finasteride on October 11, 2017 and I have been taking it ever since. As of March 2019, I have noticed my hair thinning in the scalp as well as the front. How is this possible. I would greatly appreciate a response as well as any feedback or suggestions. Attached below is images of my hair that I took on October 10, 2017 as well as images on March 2019. In addition, I have images that I now got a buzz cut due to seborrheic dermatitis.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, This needs an in-person evaluation. I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to evaluate and go over your condition and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Yael Halaas, MD · Answer

Even though finasteride is effective in some patients, not everyone responds the same.  While some patients see regrowth, others may only see a slowing of hair thinning. I suggest an in-office consultation with a hair loss specialist who can examine you and determine the best course of action for your particular type of hair loss.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Some individuals will experience ongoing hair loss and thinning while taking finasteride. Absolutely. Finasteride does not help everyone and that may have been the wrong assumption here. About 10-15 % of males do not benefit.  After 5-6 years some men notice slow hair thinning again after haviing had a period of improvement. For some this is 2 years and for others it is 10 years. This resumption of thinning occurs because of ongoing progression of the underlying genetic hair loss pushing ahead of what the finasteride can hold back. Ongoing thinning can occur for several reasons and you’ll want to see an expert in hair loss medicine to determine which reason is actually applicable to you. Reasons include: 1) the medicine is incompletely effective (partial response) or not effective at all 2) the medicine is effective but another hair loss condition has developed 3) the medicine is effective but the individual is not using it correctly.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The drug finasteride does not 100% guarantee that you can get on top of thinning or balding. Get a HAIRCHECK test to find out what is actually happening to your hair, see below

Can your hair thin while you have been taking Finasteride for close to 2 years? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Finasteride

Answer: Finasteride

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Can your hair thin while you have been taking Finasteride for close to 2 years? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Finasteride

Answer: Finasteride

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.