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Why does Propecia (Finasteride) make acne so much worse when conventional science says it should do the opposite?

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sdjackMay 25, 2018
Whenever I try taking propecia, I get horrible acne after less than a week of taking it and so now I have given up on Propecia. It seems to go against the "science" out there that has associated high DHT levels with more sebum and acne. Logic leads me to conclude that Testosterone must be the real cause of increased sebum and acne, not DHT, as propecia increases free T levels in the blood by inhibiting conversion into DHT. ANy insight on this from someone who knows the science?

Answers (3)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Dr. Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD
Certified Dermatologist
Answered on Jun 2, 2018
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Dr. Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS
Board Certified Hair Restoration Surgeon
Answered on May 30, 2018
Answer
Dr. William Rassman, MD (retired)
Hair Restoration Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Answered on Feb 15, 2019
Answer

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Jeff Rapaport, MD

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...

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William Rassman, MD (retired)

You may have developed an allergy to minoxidil or one of the ingredients that contains the drug.  Speak with your doctor or your pharmacist about trying another form of minoxidil

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Muhammad Jawad, MD

 The important of  strong cow lick can not be ignored while making sites to create direction of the grafts.....it's has no role in hair loss process...

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