Is Finasteride (Propecia) Thinning My Hair?

[Steven85]

I am 26 years old and over the last year I have noticed that the hair on my temples has started receding. Otherwise my hair has always been thick and I have no problems at my crown.

Three weeks ago I started taking finasteride (proscar divided in 4) as an attempt to stop further hair loss. My goal is to keep what I have, any regrowth would be a bonus.


The last days I have noticed that the hair on my hairline is thinner now than it was before I started. As I said I have always had thick hair. This has gotten me really concerned. I have read about the initial shedding that sometimes occurs when starting finasteride, but the thing is I dont really see any substantial shedding. I just notice that my hair is thinning.

So to my questions: Is it normal to see the hair on the hairline thinning after just three weeks on finasteride? And will I get the thick hair I had before starting finasteride back? Now I am wondering if I should stop taking it or continue. Just feels very frustrating to see my hair thinning like this when I have never had a problem with thinning hair. The problem was just the hair on my temples receding.

I have heard about initial shedding, and have read that it is a sign that the finasteride is working. But in my case, when I am not noticing shedding, just thinning hair, what does that mean?

And one more thing: I have recently ordered nizoral shampoo and rogaine foam that I had planned to use in combination with finasteride. Now however I am scared to start using it. Could this mean even more thinning hair?

I would be so happy to get the thick hair I had before starting finasteride three weeks ago back.

I would greatly appreciate a response.

[Bowser]

Fin shows its peak results at the two year mark apparantly. A shed is a sign that the medication is working. If you're going to start Rogaine, prepare yourself for an even bigger thinning! Good luck. PS I have heard reports of hair line receeding on both fin and rogaine foam. The problem is, without using any treatment, say good bye to your hair!

[Steven85]

Thanks for your reply. But to be more specific;the thinning I am now seeing, will it stop and will I get the thick hair I had before starting fin back? And what is your take on the fact that I dont notice much of a shed, but definitely see that my hair is thinning?

[Benjamin36]

I'm in the same boat as you my friend. I noticed major thinning in April while on Fin, and am waiting for it to re-thicken. It's pretty scary to take a hair loss prevention drug only to realize that is has actually made you lose more hair than before, but hopefully we will both see it return.

[Steven85]

Exactly how I am feeling Benjamin36. But am I to understand that the thinning has stopped for you? If thats the case, at least that offers some comfort. Because if the thinning will continue at the same rate it has these three weeks taking fin I dont even dare think about how I will look in a few months.

I am just hoping someone can give me some reassurance I am doing the right thing taking fin and that my hair will regrow as thick as it was three weeks ago. Because right now I am considering quitting the medication. But then again, maybe the thinning is just the fin working. I am so confused, and full of doubts about this right now.

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And considering my current situation, would you add nizoral shampoo and rogain foam to your regimen at this point?

[Tomisthinning]

I am with you guys as well. I am on month 14 and still bad. I also took it to prevent more hairloss and keep what I have, as my hairloss was mild and slow. while on fin I have lost and thinned so much. you take a medication to stop hairloss, and what it does in return is make it worse. rogaine thins you out, propecia thins you out. so what is the point. this sucks. FDA doctors were stoned when they approved these "hairloss medications". all about money. I don't even know what to do as well.

[Steven85]

Wow, this just made me even more depressed. I just wish somebody could say "hey, dont worry, same thing happened to me, but everything grew back so dont worry." I dont understand how so many seem to be experiencing this when 90% of fin users should at least keep the hair they have starting taking it. And hair loss is not even listed as an uncommon side effect of fin.

Another thing I forgot to mention. Over the last few days I have noticed small white hairs along the front of my hairline. They could of course have been there all along as I have never examined my hairline as closely as after it started thinning, but i dont think so. Most of these hairs also seem to have a tapered end. Could this be a sign of regrowth or is it the infamous minaturising process going on? Have any of you guys experienced this?

[Bowser]

my hair came back thicker after the thinning/shedding phase. but i had repeated shed cycles over a period of a year, possibly every 3months. it really scares the **** outta me! Im going through one now. i told my self to wait it out till the 2year mark and then make an overall judgement about fin. i read somewhere that if your the unlucky one who just keeps shedding even after a year then maybe fin is not going to work. hope that's helpful.

[Benjamin36]

Exactly how I am feeling Benjamin36. But am I to understand that the thinning has stopped for you? If thats the case, at least that offers some comfort. Because if the thinning will continue at the same rate it has these three weeks taking fin I dont even dare think about how I will look in a few months.

I am just hoping someone can give me some reassurance I am doing the right thing taking fin and that my hair will regrow as thick as it was three weeks ago. Because right now I am considering quitting the medication. But then again, maybe the thinning is just the fin working. I am so confused, and full of doubts about this right now.

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And considering my current situation, would you add nizoral shampoo and rogain foam to your regimen at this point?

As far as I can tell my hair hasn't thinned anymore since April. If you search there are a lot stories about guys going through a shed and regrowing it.

I have a theory that you don't read about it as often as you would think (regrowth after shed) because the only reason people post on forums about it is because they are freaked out just like you and me, and are searching for some answers. Hopefully, after their hair returns to normal, they no longer participate on the forums anymore, since the shed was the only reason they did in the first place.

[Steven85]

Thank you Browser and Benjamin 36. I especially liked the comments "my hair came back thicker after the thinning/shedding phase" and "If you search there are a lot stories about guys going through a shed and regrowing it", made me a little more light spirited. Your theory about people not sharing their success stories is also a good one.

But soon another guy will probably say his hair has thinned out completely after one year on fin and crush my spirits once again I dont really understand how a drug that is supposed to stop hair loss can do the exact opposite. And I have yet to read one good explanation as to why, for some people, it obviously does. If anyone can provide one please do.

And are you guys only using fin? Or is rogaine and nizoral also part of your regimen? I have just received these products but havent decided if I want to touch them yet.