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?