Will Finasteride bring thickness and volume back to my existing hair? (Photos)

Question

So I started taking finasteride 1mg around a week ago. I know obviously that’s not enough time for any sort of results but I was just hoping if someone could tell me what chances I have of getting back or at least thickening my existing hair. I’m 19 almost 20 and my hairlines pretty much far gone but I was hoping this drug could help me at least get enough hair back to cover my temples. I don’t think my crown area has much chance of being restored.I’m also applying minoxidil 5% every day.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Finasteride does not stop hair loss.  It is a drug that is used for treating androgenic alopecia in men.  There is no cure for genetic balding.  It may help slow down and stabilize the hair loss process.

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Finasteride is a powerful non-surgical treatment option for hair loss. Finasteride tends to stop hair loss in about 1/3 of patients that stay on it for a year, while another 1/3 may actually see some regrowth in hair. This means that about 1/3 of patients do not see much improvement and continue to lose hair. I recommend that my patients use finasteride as part of a multi-faceted approach to treating hair loss, with other treatment recommendations including PRP injections, topical minoxidil, oral nutritional supplementation, and light/laser therapy.Be sure to see a hair restoration expert to review all of these options in detail.All the best,

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Finasteride is better at decreasing hair shedding then stimulating regrowth. You can also slightly increase the hair shaft diameter. Fortunately, you are on minoxidil which has an additive effect with finasteride. The chances of regrowth in the crown depends upon how long the hair has been missing. Hair loss greater than 5 years has little chance of the hair regrowing in androgenic alopecia. Should you not get the response you're looking for, a recent study has shown that adding PRP to Minoxidil and finasteride patients was able to stimulate regrowth. Find a PRP expert. Ask to see photos.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

The overall chances of seeing an improvement is around 40 %, meaning 4 out of 10 users will see either slight or moderate improvement. Another proportion will see the hair slowed or stopped (without actually getting more hair back). It takes 9-12 months to know what effect the drug will have for you.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

In some people, finasteride is known to reverse miniaturization so in those people it will bring more thickness to the hair shafts that benefit

Will Finasteride bring thickness and volume back to my existing hair? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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