Why Finasteride Is Important

Finasteride works by lowering levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss.

When you undergo a hair transplant:

• DHT-resistant hair is moved from the back or sides of your head to thinning areas like the hairline, top, or crown.
• These transplanted hairs are safe from DHT and won’t fall out.

However, the native hair in areas around the transplant is still vulnerable to DHT. Without finasteride, this hair will continue to thin and fall out, which could compromise your results.

Imagine this:

• You restore your hairline with a transplant.
• Over time, the hair behind the transplanted area keeps thinning.
• This creates a patchy or unnatural look, diminishing the aesthetic value of the surgery.

Aesthetic Considerations

If you’re a young man experiencing significant hair loss, I strongly recommend taking finasteride or another DHT-blocking treatment alongside your transplant.

Here’s why:

• Finasteride helps stabilize ongoing hair loss, preserving the native hair around the transplanted area.
• Without it, you may need multiple surgeries to keep up with continued hair loss, and each procedure might yield less effective results.

The risk:
If you skip finasteride, your hair transplant could end up looking unnatural as your natural hair continues to thin, leaving transplanted hair surrounded by bald spots.

You’ve probably seen examples of this:

• Some people have great-looking transplants, while others end up with sparse, thin hair.
• This often happens when ongoing hair loss isn’t managed properly.

Who Might Not Need Finasteride?

There are exceptions. Not everyone will need to take finasteride to maintain their transplant results.

Older men in their 50s or beyond with minimal hair loss may not require finasteride.

Here’s why:

• By this age, most men have already experienced the worst of their hair loss.
• If you’re still holding onto a decent amount of hair without rapid thinning, your hair loss is likely progressing very slowly.
• In these cases, skipping finasteride might be a reasonable option, as further hair loss will occur at a much slower rate.

However, this decision should always be made in consultation with a qualified hair loss specialist.

My Recommendations

If you have androgenetic alopecia and are considering a hair transplant, here’s what I recommend:

1. Start Finasteride Early
   Begin taking finasteride about six months before your procedure. This helps stabilize your hair loss and gives your surgeon a clear and consistent picture of your hair to design the best possible transplant.

2. Continue Finasteride After Surgery
   It’s crucial to keep taking finasteride post-surgery to protect your existing hair and prevent further loss. This will help maintain the overall density and appearance of your hair.

3. Dosage Recommendations

   • The standard dose is 1 mg daily, which most patients tolerate well.
   • If you experience side effects, consider a lower dose like 0.5 mg. Lower doses can still be effective at reducing DHT levels.
   • For more information on customizing your dosage, check out my video on custom dosing for finasteride.

4. Evaluate Your Clinic

   • If your clinic doesn’t mention finasteride or other hair loss treatments, ask about it.
   • Red flag: A clinic that doesn’t address ongoing hair loss management may not have your best interests in mind. Look for a clinic that provides comprehensive advice on preserving your hair.

Conclusion

For most people, finasteride is an essential part of the hair transplant journey. It protects your native hair, maximizes your results, and reduces the need for additional surgeries.

However, every case is unique, and some individuals may not need finasteride depending on their age and hair loss progression.