Using Finasteride x 6 a week then adding 1 x Dutasteride a week on the Sunday - can this make hair worse or regress in any way?

Question

Hi, in a nutshell, I have been on Finasteride for around 5 years. The first 4 years I saw great results however in the last year I have seen my results starting to disappear again and my hair loss slowly continuing. I want to add one Dutasteride a week and my doctor said fine. My question is in any doctor's experience on here... have you ever seen any one of your patients hair get worse when adding one Dutasteride to Finasteride on the 6 other days. I hear stories of sheds / hair ruined...

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi,
It’s great that you've seen positive results with Finasteride over the past years. However, it’s not uncommon for some patients to notice a plateau or a gradual return of hair loss over time. Adding Dutasteride, which is a more potent inhibitor of both type I and type II 5-alpha-reductase, can be a viable option for some patients in such cases.

In my experience, combining these medications can be beneficial for certain individuals who are not achieving their desired results with Finasteride alone. However, it's important to consider a few key points:

Initial Shedding: When introducing Dutasteride, some patients may experience an initial shedding phase. This can be alarming, but it is often a sign that the medication is working as the hair follicles are cycling through the growth phases more rapidly. This shedding is typically temporary.

Individual Response: Each patient responds differently to medication. While many may not experience adverse effects, there are some who might not tolerate the addition as well. Monitoring and follow-up with your physician are crucial.

Long-term Efficacy: Dutasteride has been shown to be more effective in some cases for maintaining and promoting hair growth due to its stronger inhibition of DHT. Many patients do find that their hair stabilizes or improves after the initial adjustment period.

Side Effects: Both Finasteride and Dutasteride come with potential side effects, including sexual side effects, mood changes, and others. Ensure you discuss these with your physician and report any adverse effects promptly.

While there are anecdotal reports of hair worsening with medication changes, these are not the norm. The majority of patients do not experience severe regression when adding Dutasteride to their regimen. However, as with any treatment, it is essential to approach this under the guidance of your healthcare provider, who can tailor the plan to your specific needs and monitor your progress closely.

Best of luck with your treatment, and I hope you see positive results soon!

Using Finasteride x 6 a week then adding 1 x Dutasteride a week on the Sunday - can this make hair worse or regress in any way?

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

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Using Finasteride x 6 a week then adding 1 x Dutasteride a week on the Sunday - can this make hair worse or regress in any way?

Answers (1)

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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.