Is it OK to take Propecia if you don’t need it?

Question

I recently had a FUE procedure done to my hairline. I am not losing hair, I just naturally have a widows peak that I was born with. I was prescribed 3 months of Propecia by my hair transplant surgeon. I feel like I should take it because I heard that younger patients have a higher incidence of shock loss and that Propecia can prevent it. I just don’t want to take Propecia for 3 months and it has an adverse affect on my DHT levels and cause me to lose hair or something weird when I stop it.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

It is best to ask your surgeon about post operative care as each doctor has their unique regimen.

John Kahen, MD · Answer

Yes, Propecia is the strongest DHT blocker on the market. It is used to hold the fort so that your not constantly feeling like your having to chase the hair by doing transplant after transplant. Propecia works to hold onto the crown mostly. I would recommend taking it. It is a prevention. Which means that it cannot hurt to take it so you don't loose hair. Even if you might not be losing now. We have thousands of patients on it and it is a safe drug and has been FDA approved for the past 26 years.

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Each physician has their own post-transplant management. If you have concerns about taking the finasteride (Propecia) I would recommend contacting your transplant surgeon's office. It should not have a negative effect on your hair when you discontinue the medication unless your hair is susceptible to the effects of DHT. In that case you would want to be on Propecia long term to prevent hair loss. This does not appear to be the case in your situation. Some physicians report more robust regrowth of the follicles when patients are place on Propecia.I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Jeanette Straga, DO · Answer

If  you recently had an FUE procedure we recommend you start and continue finasteride (Propecia) for at least 6 months to avoid shock loss. Not everyone experiences shock loss however, if you should experience it, you would be remiss not to have taken it.

Sara Wasserbauer, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It’s highly recommended that you take Finasteride. It’s the strongest prevention care you can do to keeping native hair and slowing down shock loss as well.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

If the cause for your widows peak is not genetic and your hair loss is not progressive, then there is no need to take products. Propecia has many side effects, so in general we are very careful prescribing it to our patients. If you are worried about shick loss, you can take rogaine.

Cory Torgerson, MD, PhD, FRCSC - Account Suspended · Answer

I recommend taking Finasteride to my patients for a few reasons. Obviously the most beneficial is that it will slow down your hair loss. THe other benefit is that it will help with shock loss from a hair transplant.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Your surgeon is right to recommend finasteride because the risk in men under 28 of developing shock loss is high and finasteride prevent this

Is it OK to take Propecia if you don’t need it?

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