Posrex,

Like other members said, I don't see any scientific region why Proscar (finasteride) cut into quarters (which would be a safe 1.25 mg dose) would prevent and stabilize loss in the crown and scalp, but accelerate loss in other regions of the head (such as the frontal third and hairline).

Technically, finasteride in Propecia is proven safe and effective for the hair in the scalp and crown regions, but it's my understanding that this is because the clinical trials only looked at growth in the scalp/vertex. However, I've read statements from a few hair loss experts who state that there is no technical reason why it shouldn't work for all scalp hair.

Like you said, you should really wait a full year to evaluate the results, but I definitely think you should meet with a personal physician or hair loss expert to review your growth and determine the best course of treatment (at this 12 month mark).

__________________
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)

Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

Thanks for the response 25guy,

I was under the same impression that in theory, fin should do more good than harm. However it's been a battle keeping a positive attitude when I'm noticing more and more thinning and shedding at the areas where I wanted to protect from hair loss. From my experience, I have noticed the majority of the thinning and shed in the vertex, hairline, and temples. Again, I am far from going bald in the front, but the thinning in that region is fairly noticeable when there is light shining directly in that area of my scalp. My crown, sides, and back have not been affected.

I have been noticing a slight reduction in the amount of hairs that I'm shedding, so maybe that's a good sign, but nevertheless, I seem to keep losing a significant amount each day. This is what really concerns me. Whereas others have gone through cycles of shed and come out of it, I feel like over these 7 months, I have experienced a continuous, prolonged shed that has well surpassed 6 week intervals with no replaced, thicker hair growing back.

To your case, I also started shedding early at around the 3 week, one month period...and it pretty much hasn't stopped. Hope you have a much better reaction to the drug than I am having!

Thank you for the reassuring reply. I will stick with it through another 5 more months but at this point, I'd be happy if I had the volume of hair that I had had before I started taking the proscar. I feel like I keep reading about negative experiences of those who have given it a year, only to have experienced an increased amount of hair loss, which is really discouraging.

As you advise, I will definitely meet with a specialist to receive further consultation after the one year mark.

I will keep you all updated.

Thanks, Posrex, and good luck! I am optimistic for you