I’ve taken Propecia for one week and my hair feels way thinner than it was. I have long hair and I’m a male. Should I stop?

Question

Okay, so I am a male, 21, and has long skater hair. I had some receding hair and the hair on top was thinner I thought than the sides and back. So we went to a dermatologist and she said I was not balding at all but put me on propecia. I want it thick. So exactly one week later, I’ve been taking it and my hair feels so much more thin everywhere. Especially in the back. I need to have thicker hair cause that was my goal. Should I stop? Also, if I do stop, will it go back to the way it was before?

Jay Goldstein, MD · Answer

I think you would do better with a quality LLLT unit such as i-Restore. Finasteride has significant side effects (primarily sexual) in a small percentage of users. I do not use it in males your age for that reason.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This really needs a full discussion. Finasteride is only for men who are balding. Shedding is common in the first months. It does a better job at stopping loss in balding men but some do get improved density. Hair can improve alot but rarely “thick.” Whether your hair will go back to the way it was is a complex question as it depends on how fast your shedding stops.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

After one week there is nothing to see when you take finasteride. You have to be on this medication at least a year to see value

I’ve taken Propecia for one week and my hair feels way thinner than it was. I have long hair and I’m a male. Should I stop?

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