I've been on Propecia for close to 3 months now and started about a month and a half after i started noticing hair loss. I'm far from bald at this point, but I'm 19 years old and the thought of looking like my father when I'm 22 is scaring the crap out of me.

I feel like I've noticed an increase in hair loss since I've been on propecia and have seen multiple times that this can be a shedding phase which would be a sign that the drug is working. My initial question is, how, if at all, can one know if this is the shedding phase or just normal hair loss?

My main purpose of making this post is to know when i should start seeing regrowth from propecia. Ive seen the shedding should/could last 3-4 months. By this, is it meant that regrowth (buds on the scalp) should occur only after this phase has passed? And if so, how far after, should i see the initial regrowth in the 6-8 month frame or closer to the 4-5 month time frame?

I know every person reacts differently to this type of treatment, but if you guys can humor me, that will do.

I will probably begin using rogaine foam soon, although i'm having reservations about the difficulty and pain of applying it, since my hair is on the longer side. Sure, I could cut it, but i'm afraid that it will become obvious that I'm balding.

Thanks for all the help.

jdg-

Your apprehension is normal. Shedding with Propecia (Finasteride), though it happens, is something we'd all like to avoid if possible. I suspect that you're correct, you've started a bit of a shed.

You may or may not know that "shedding", as is often referred to from Propecia use, is merely many hairs going into the telogen or "resting" phase all at the same time. All hair goes into the telogen phase, it's just that normally only 10% or so is in this phase at one time. During a Propecia shed........you may have more like 20%-30% of your hair that has been kicked into the telogen phase from starting on Propecia so you haven't "lost" the hair, it's just away on vacation and will come back soon! Make sense?? The Telogen phase lasts around 6 weeks then the hair starts coming back.........hopefully stronger and thicker..less inhibited by the DHT, right??

As for regrowth, if you experience any, it's impossible to predict. I've now been on Propecia (actually Proscar quartered) for almost 1 year and have noticed slight regrowth in the hairline, no doubt about it. I think it started around 6 months if I remember correctly. It's really not that cosmetically significant though it does soften my hairline somewhat. If I were you, I'd really commit to 1 year before reconvening the jury for the decision!! And, the best way to judge your progress is by documenting with pictures which i highly recommend you do if you haven't already........on a monthly basis from the same angles.

The majority of those experiencing regrowth ususally see it in the crown, anything else is a bonus. At the least, it should help you maintain what you have for an indefinite period of time.

You're right about Rogaine..........it's messy. Be sure you can commit before starting as, like Propecia, you'll lose what you've kept if you use it any length of time then quit. It was too messy for me to consider.

You're starting with Propecia at a young age in the early stage of loss which is good. Stay with it and see how it goes. Look again at a year and see what yout think? Don't worry about the shed, the hair will come back.

Hope this helps!

Hairbank,

What a thorough response...I can't even add anything to that it was soo good.

jdg,

All I can say is welcome to the forums and hairbank is straight on with what he said. As long as you aren't experiencing any side effects, stick with Propecia for at least 1 year. Though if you want to save money, I'd consider switching to Proscar which are pills that contain 5mg of finasteride. To use Proscar, you would use a pill cutter and take cut it into quarters and take that every day. With medical insurance, you may only pay $10 or $20 for 4 months worth of pills. Something to consider.

Falc

Hi Ive been using proscar quartered daily for about 6 months, and rogaine for about the same time. Initially I was using 2% solution twice a day, now I use 5% once a day, and 2% once a day ( 5% is a mess to comb your hair)
I began during the early stages of thinning, and I began to shed heavily during the initial period. The problem is I am still experiencing hair loss in the hair line. and the frontal scalp, and I am not sure why. This is the area of the head I make recieves minoxidil. I thought if anything the loss would halt and at best I would regrow hair there. Surprisingly I have regrown hair along the temples.
I am considering switching to dutasteride, but am afraid of further shedding, especially if it doesnt grow back.
Does anyone have any advice?

I have been on dutasteride fro several years and it has prevented any further hair loss.....

Hey Falc I have a question. I went to a derm a week back, and got a prescription for propecia. I asked him about Proscar, and he said he would give me a prescription for it, but that it would mess up my insurance premiums later. He said insurance companies would see that and assume I had some prostate problem at the age of 20! I've been on propecia for a week now, and everything's been fine. I don't think I'm shedding particularly more than before, and there are no "side effects." My question is whether the doc just lied because he did not want to write me a prescription for proscar. Also, when does the shedding period usually start? Also, if Propecia is to stop my hairloss from what point will it do so? I.e. is the hair I'm losing now (only a week in) going to come back or is gone forever?