Finasteride - make hairline/thinning worse?

Question

36/male - right side only, directly in front thinning; placed on 1mg fin 4 months ago. Since then the hairline on the right side has progressively thinned with hairs miniaturizing/disappearing weekly. I've read on message boards that finasteride CAN cause the front to thin quicker--is this true? Is this an early fin shed or does that not exist? Have any of your patients lost frontal hair quicker while on finasteride or is this just mpb progressing before fin works? Will fin help eventually?

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

In my opinion, finasteride can lead to a shedding phase. This usually ends in 2 to 4 months. If it has been 4 months and you are still shedding, an acceleration of your male pattern baldness is a distinct possibility. You should see a hair loss expert to evaluate your condition.  Hope this helps. Good luck.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your question. It is possible that while starting finasteride, you may experience a bit more increase shedding, but this should last a few weeks, and within months hopefully you get a fuller head of hair. Try Minoxidil as well 5%, this should also help.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

In your situation you have a balancing act between the results of the balding genes and the possible early effects of finasteride shedding, which does happen, but rarely. Now that you have passed 4 months, the shedding effect should subside, but if you continue to lose hair, then it may be safe to assume that the genes are kicking in causing the hair loss. I would measure your hair with the instrument called HAIRCHECK to determine if you are losing hair elsewhere on your head, just not enough to see, This instrument will detect hair loss throughout the head. See post below

Finasteride - make hairline/thinning worse?

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Finasteride - make hairline/thinning worse?

Answers (3)

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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.