Is Finasteride a must after a Hair Transplant?

Question

I know it is advised to take Finasteride post HT. But I have experienced Erectile Dysfunction previously, but I am over it now. My hair loss is not severe and barely noticeable after 10 years. My question is. Is it worth the risk of side effects if Finasteride’s effectiveness diminishes and I am well prepared for further procedures?

Robert Dorin, DO · Answer

Usually the use of Finasteride in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia is recommended In men planning on having a transplant to either help minimize, stabilize or possibly reverse hair loss. The reason for this is statistically speaking most androgenic alopecia is progressive in nature and one is likely to go onto continue with hair loss over the years than not.Since The donor supply is limited in total supply ( and this supply typically ranges from as little as 3500-8000 grafts ) the use of Finasteride (as long as it’s tolerated with out side effects and is having a positive effect of stabilizing hair loss) helps ensure That there would be more coverage and maintain a more pleasing natural pattern without continually losing native hair.However , not every man is going to go onto to have severe hair loss and it is feasible Option for a man ( such as described by your situation) not to blindly commitment to its use and watch to see if one Does in fact continue to thin and then be willing to initiate Finasteride. This option can still put one in to a situation that we were all trying to avoid in the first place ... Namely undergoing transplants only to find ones pattern worsen and not starting Finasteride early enough or initiating its use but discovering that Finasteride failed to stop the hair loss or that it worked but the side effect mandated stoping it’s use.It is imperative if this route is taken to understand the limitations of what can be achieved with ones total donor supply and make sure expectations are aligned.

Epameinondas Bonaros, MD · Answer

Propecia will slow down and even stop hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.As long as you take it, it will protect you from hair loss. And even if you continue to lose hair, it will happen much slower than if you were not taking it.Studies suggest that the patients who showed improvement after the first year of finasteride treatment are more likely to improve or maintain their hair growth after 10 years. It is generally well-tolerated, and I believe you should discuss the potential benefits and side effects with your hair restoration physician.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

The decision on finasteride needs to be made on a case by case basis with each and every patient. If one has slow slow balding AND has low risk for advanced Norwood patterns (V, VI, VII) AND is willing to have 3 surgeries or more in his lifetime then it’s often possible to keep the hair density looking really good throughout that person’s lifetime. The problem is that one does not really confidently know they have slow slow balding until they hit 40. Of course there are some good hints in the 20s and 30s as to how it is that someone will bald. But there are surprises too. Also, one does not always know they can afford additional surgeries down the road so that too can be a bit of an unknown for some too. But in general if someone does NOT have a high likelihood of advanced balding and does NOT have a problem with many surgeries in his lifetime, a good surgeon can guide the timing of these surgeries to keep hair density looking very good through his life even  without finasteride.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Finasteride does help with shock loss after a hair transplant but it also slows the progression of future hair loss. It boils down to what is more important to you as far as the Finasteride is concerned. Best wishes.
Dr. T

Neil Verma, HBSc, MD, FCFP - Account Suspended · Answer

It is not mandatory to use finasteride post hair transplant. Finasteride use is advisable when the benefits outweigh the harms. Not everyone experiences the side effects especially if starting on a low dose.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Finasteride becomes less important to prevent shock loss as you get older. Men in their 30s, often can get a hair transplant without much risk by avoiding finasteride, but the value of finasteride goes beyond shock loss prevention, and that is the progressive nature of hair loss which finasteride does slow down.

Is Finasteride a must after a Hair Transplant?

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