25guy

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

Thanks for sharing. I am obviously no expert, so will defer to others, but from what I have been told and have read, it seems unlikely to me that finasteride would accelerate hair loss in the sense of miniaturizing hairs and/or causing permanent loss of hair roots. The shedding phenomenon seems very real and logical, following the explanation (which seems fairly accepted) that more hairs than usual are shifted at once into the resting phase; hence the temporary loss of the external hair and the resultant thinning aesthetic. And this, it seems to be said, should definitely have subsided a year into the medication, resulting in as good a head of hair as before, or possibly a thicker head, along with decrease/prevention of future loss. However, it's hard for me to see any scientific/biochemical reason why finasteride would accelerate actual hair loss for anyone, including younger guys. I mean, what the drug is doing is inhibiting DHT--how can that have a worsening effect (beyond the initial, aesthetic shedding)? Again, I'm obviously not a doctor, and I certainly admit my vested interest in not wanting to believe that it would worsten things But that's my two cents' worth. I'd be curious to know others' thoughts, in addition to any responses to my former questions, if anyone has any input. Thanks!

Hey guys, Sorry to revive such an old post--I am a new member and haven't figured out how to post a new thread! I've been reading a lot about shedding & Propecia (including the helpful, encouraging posts on this thread), but I wanted to try to confirm a couple points, as I've seen conflicting info. Also, perhaps there is updated data out there, whether clinical or anecdotal. Bill, I have found your posts to be particularly helpful.... I would be grateful for any input! 1) Does shedding from finasteride generally occur, when it does, just on hairs that are miniaturized/miniaturizing, or will it affect stable, non-previously-thinning areas, too? That is, will the medication tend to nudge all one's hairs (i.e., from all different patches on the head) into the telogen phase, or just those where hair loss has been occurring? I was originally concerned primarily with loss around my temples, but 5 weeks into my finasteride regimen, have seen noticeable thinning at the crown (even a small bald spot), and some seeming thinning at the vertex, too. (For context, I'm a Norwood 3, 25 yrs old, who just became concerned about hair loss in the last year--though I'm sure miniaturization has been long in the making.) 2) How soon can the shedding begin upon a finasteride regimen? Often I see "in the first 3 months", sometimes up to 5-6, with results not being able to be reliably judged until about a year out... But is it normal to perceive increased thinness only a month into taking it? I've noticed what seems* to be substantial, but not extreme, thinning (*granted some of this is probably just due to me being paranoid and obsessive about looking at it). I am not worried much about this hair "not coming back", as some anecdotal reports out there freak out about...but I just want to check to be sure: thinning/shedding can begin within the first month? 3) Within reason (i.e., short of extreme loss), is shedding proportionate to prospective efficacy of the treatment? That is, given that I keep seeing "shedding means it's working", does moderate shedding tend to indicate a promising level of effectiveness? Or is there no real correllation? 4) Finally (and a bit off-topic--sorry!), would finasteride have any effect on regrowth of transplanted hairs? I had a transplant--mainly to my "power alleys", but along the hairline too--a month ago, which is the same time I started my Propecia regimen. Just curious if there is any impact; my doctor didn't think there would be. On a related note, perhaps some "shock loss" from the surgery is exacerbating the perception of shedding?