Usage of finasteride after hair transplant is a common practice to promote faster healing, safeguard follicular grafts, and prevent further hair loss. It is an FDA-approved and scientifically proven combatant against male pattern hair loss. To help patients maintain their looks, many surgeons incorporate finasteride into the hair transplant recovery plan.
While we talk about the use of finasteride after hair transplant, we will also mention these key points:
- ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA WON’T SLOW DOWN AFTER A HAIR TRANSPLANT WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS SUCH AS FINASTERIDE.
- FINASTERIDE SUPPRESSES DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT) TO PROMOTE HAIR REGROWTH, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IN HAIR TRANSPLANT RECOVERY.
- USING FINASTERIDE AFTER A HAIR TRANSPLANT OFFERS SEVERAL ADVANTAGES, INCLUDING INCREASED HAIR DENSITY AND PREVENTION OF FUTURE HAIR LOSS.
- FINASTERIDE MAY CAUSE SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF USERS, BUT THESE EFFECTS ARE TYPICALLY TEMPORARY.
Let’s explore how this medicine affects your post-surgery period.
The Role Of Finasteride After A Hair Transplant
Androgenic alopecia is genetic, meaning the rate of hair loss won’t slow down after a hair transplant unless precautions are taken. To protect your newly gained appearance, it’s important to supplement your hair health with treatments such as anti-hair loss drugs, PRP, etc. Among the supplementary treatment options, finasteride is considered convenient because:
- YOU CAN TAKE IT IN BOTH ORAL AND TOPICAL FORMS
- YOU CAN USE IT FOR YEARS WITHOUT RISK
- YOU DON’T NEED TO PAUSE THE USE OF MEDICINE FOR SURGERY
A clinical study conducted at the University of British Columbia has revealed that 66% of men who have used finasteride for 2 years were rated as having improved hair growth. Hence, most hair clinics offer finasteride treatment post-surgery to unlock the true potential of a hair transplant.
What Is Finasteride?
Finasteride is a medicine developed to cure benign prostate enlargement but it’s also commonly used to remedy hair loss in men. It is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment and is perfectly safe to use for most men aged 18 and over, whereas women are advised against finasteride.
You can see finasteride sold under brand names such as Propecia and Proscar, or it can be prescribed as is.
There are two types of finasteride; oral and topical. Both options are proven to be effective against androgenetic alopecia. It’s also very effective as a post-transplant medication.
How Does Finasteride After A Hair Transplant Work?
Finasteride’s mechanism of action stops testosterone from turning into the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the main hormone that helps people develop male characteristics, but it also causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to male pattern hair loss. Finasteride suppresses the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and thus, promotes hair regrowth.
What Is The Optimal Finasteride Dosage For Recovery?
The dosage of finasteride is 1 mg per day. The dosage remains the same no matter the patient’s condition, height, weight, or age because taking a higher dose isn’t more effective. You can support your hair follicles post-transplant with 1 mg of finasteride a day as well.
❗ Refrain from taking any medicine without getting a prescription from your hair specialist first.
When Should You Start Taking Finasteride?
There are two types of finasteride, oral and topical, and the timing of beginning the treatments differ. How? Let’s look at them together!
- YOU CAN START THE ORAL FINASTERIDE TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY. FINASTERIDE DOESN’T INTERFERE WITH THE HEALING PROCESS.
- YOU CAN START THE TOPICAL FINASTERIDE TREATMENT 30 DAYS AFTER HAIR TRANSPLANT SURGERY. THIS PERIOD IS VITAL TO ENSURE SCAR HEALING ON THE SCALP.
Below, our patient is receiving detailed information about each stage of the hair transplant journey. This comprehensive information encompasses post-operative care, which involves the use of finasteride to promote hair growth.
Is It Good To Take Finasteride After The Hair Transplant?
Do you have to take finasteride after a hair transplant? No, there’s no requirement to use finasteride after hair transplant.
But would it help you address androgenetic alopecia concerns, support you after hair transplant surgery and further prevent male pattern baldness from creeping back? Yes, definitely!
In a study spanning 5 states, 94% of patients who used finasteride after a hair transplant experienced a significant increase in hair growth. 5% of patients who haven’t used finasteride experienced a decrease in their hair count. As you can see, finasteride is a great companion to your hair transplant procedure.
❗ Some hair specialists include prescription finasteride in hair transplant timeline to support hair growth throughout the years.
Does Finasteride Thicken Transplanted Hair?
Yes, using finasteride after hair transplantation increases hair density and supports natural hair growth in donor, transplanted, and non-transplanted areas. Finasteride also prevents future hair loss so that you can enjoy your new head of hair for longer.
Advantages Of Finasteride After A Hair Transplant
There are many advantages of finasteride after a hair transplant. In fact, most hair specialists advise patients to start finasteride to boost hair health throughout the recovery process. There are finasteride alternatives but most hair specialists support the use of finasteride the most.
Using finasteride after hair transplant:
- HELPS HAIR GRAFTS ROOT INTO THE SCALP
- STRENGTHENS LOW-FUNCTIONING HAIR FOLLICLES
- INCREASES HAIR DENSITY
- DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF SHOCK LOSS
- PREVENTS FUTURE HAIR LOSS
Is It Worth It To Take Finasteride?
Yes, finasteride is a viable option for treating male pattern baldness and post-hair transplant shock loss.
Hair transplant surgeons combine a maintenance medication such as finasteride with hair transplant surgery in treatment plans to ensure natural hair growth. You can consult your hair clinic to combine finasteride in your hair transplant payment plan.
Are There Any Risks Of Taking Finasteride After The Surgery?
You can continue using finasteride after hair transplantation if you have started taking it before the surgery. Unlike minoxidil, you don’t need to take a break during the surgery period as finasteride can be taken for years without any risk.
Some patients experience sexual side effects as we mentioned below but this is unrelated to hair transplant surgery and any patient using finasteride is prone to the side effects.
Keep in mind that patients are advised against using finasteride after hair surgery if they are facing any of the conditions below:
- LIVER PROBLEMS
- BLADDER ISSUES
- ALLERGIC AGAINST FINASTERIDE
- TRYING TO CONCEIVE
- SPOUSE OF A PREGNANT PERSON
Does Finasteride Lower Testosterone?
No, finasteride doesn’t lower testosterone. On the contrary, the body compensates for the lack of DHT by producing more testosterone than usual but this increase is small enough to be overlooked and will not affect your health.
Does Finasteride Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, up to 15% of patients (1.5 people in 10) who use oral finasteride may experience sexual side effects. These may include:
- ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
- REDUCTION IN SPERM COUNT
- SEMEN VOLUME
- LOSS OF LIBIDO
These potential side effects usually subside after 6-12 months of use and completely go away when finasteride treatment stops. Users of the topical treatment option are spared from these side effects of finasteride.
Is It Normal To Shed After 1 Week Of Finasteride?
Yes, in fact, shedding while using finasteride after a hair transplant is a sign that the medicine is working!
Finasteride speeds up the hair growth cycle which means that hair follicles skip the telogen cycle, known as the resting phase, and jump to the anagen cycle, known as the growth phase. However, new hair cannot grow unless old ones fall. So, hair fallout makes space for anagen hair.
Don’t fret! The shock loss you experience does not include newly transplanted grafts. It’s the body of the hair that’s falling out, not the roots. Your natural hair is safe and sound.
When Is Too Late For Finasteride?
It’s never too late to start using finasteride. You can start your finasteride treatment whenever you want with the guidance of your doctor.
There are only two conditions that might prove too late to reap the benefits of finasteride:
THE EXTENT OF HAIR LOSS IS ABOVE HAMILTON-NORWOOD 6 | THE PATIENT IS OLDER THAN THE AGE OF 65 |
Unfortunately in these cases, finasteride might not stop the progression of hair loss. You can consult our hair clinic to find out alternatives that suit your unique case.
When Should I Stop Using Finasteride?
You can stop using finasteride whenever you want! There are many studies of finasteride use that span several years and nearly all of them agree that it’s safe to use as you or your hair clinician deem necessary.
Upon stopping finasteride after a hair transplant, the drug’s both positive and negative effects wear off in 14 days. Finasteride is considered to be the most effective if it’s used for at least 9-12 months for optimal results. If you experience any adverse effects or if you’re planning on coming off of finasteride, contact your hair clinician.
How Much Does Postop Finasteride Treatment Cost?
The average price range for finasteride pills varies between 14-100$. It can be more expensive based on your requirements and treatment plans. There are several factors that determine the price of finasteride for your use after a hair transplant such as:
- Dosage and package size
- Where you get the tablets from
- The suggested brand by your doctor
- Oral or topical consumption
The table below shows the prices for different dosages and different numbers of pills.
Number of tablets/ duration of use | 1mg Finasteride | 5mg Finasteride |
28 / one month | 14$ | 27.99$ |
56 / 2 months | 26.73$ | 61$ |
84 / 3 months | 39.45$ | 92$ |
168 / 4 months | 54.99$ | 127$ |
References:
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/
- Kaufman, K D et al. “Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 39,4 Pt 1 (1998): 578-89. doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70007-6
- Leavitt, Matt et al. “Effects of finasteride (1 mg) on hair transplant.” Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] vol. 31,10 (2005): 1268-76, discussion 1276. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31202
- Anitha, B et al. “Finasteride-its impact on sexual function and prostate cancer.” Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery vol. 2,1 (2009): 12-6. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.53093
- Zito PM, Bistas KG, Syed K. Finasteride. [Updated 2022 Aug 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan.
- Adil, Areej, and Marshall Godwin. “The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 77,1 (2017): 136-141.e5. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.054
