Have you taken Finasteride or Propecia? You might be wondering if it still works after a hair transplant to prevent hair loss? This article covers those points and answers some more helpful questions.
Yes, you can take Finasteride or Propecia ( the same drug with a different name) after surgery; it prevents further hair loss as it blocks dihydrotestosterone DHT, the hormone responsible for causing baldness.
Should I take Finasteride after a hair transplant?
Yes, only if your doctor prescribes it. Your hair transplant surgeon may recommend you take Finasteride before you proceed with hair transplant surgery to help with continued hair loss.
Finasteride blocks DHT, which is responsible for your hair loss. You may need to take Finasteride on a long term basis to get the best results and maintain a full head of hair.
However, once you stop taking Finasteride, DHT will be unblocked, and you can expect to experience some hair fall.
Finasteride does not suit everyone and, in a small percentage of men, can cause erectile dysfunction. ED does seem to be the main side effect, but it is only in a small percentage of men.
Discuss your concerns with your hair transplant surgeon.
Is it OK to use Minoxidil after a hair transplant?
Yes. Your hair transplant surgeon may recommend using Minoxidil post hair transplant surgery. Minoxidil is recognised to increase hair growth speed and be part of your hair transplant protocol.
Some studies show that Minoxidil quickened the growth of grafted hairs.
Something that all hair transplant patients find is hair loss from scalp shock. Minoxidil reduces the chances of shock hair loss.
Shock affects the natural hairs more than the grafts, and shock can cause permanent and temporary hair loss. With Minoxidil, patients can skip hair shock altogether.
Unlike Finasteride. Minoxidil is a topical treatment and does not block DHT. Minoxidil extends the follicle’s growing period, which negates the effects of DHT.
Minoxidil, like Finasteride, was first used for other medical purposes and was discovered to have a side effect of growing thick hair and then taken up by the hair regrowth industry.
Is Minoxidil safe to use? Yes, it’s FDA approved and perfectly safe to use as prescribed by your doctor.
However, it’s not mandatory to use Minoxidil as part of your treatment if you have other preferences.
Is transplanted hair affected by DHT?
No. DHT does not affect the hairs from the back of the head, and the hairs from this area are not sensitive to DHT, a by-product of testosterone.
Once the harvested hairs from the back of your head are grafted into place, they keep their resistance to DHT making transplants surgery one of the best ways to restore hair.
However, if you are addressing a receding hairline with surgery, you may want to take Finasteride to keep the other hairs from falling.
Finasteride will help you keep a full head of hair. However, once you stop taking Finasteride, DHT will become active again.