Hair transplant surgery is a permanent solution to restoring your natural hairline. However, the causes of hair loss are complex and multifaceted. Most hereditary or pattern balding can persist even after a hair transplant. Therefore, ongoing prevention treatments are crucial to maintaining hair density after a hair transplant. For example, finasteride after hair transplant is a commonly prescribed preventative medication.
This treatment can help reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It is also one of the most successful non-surgical hair loss treatments, especially among men. In this article, let’s look at the role of Finasteride after a hair transplant and the potential risks and benefits of its long-term use.
What Is Finasteride?
Finasteride is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment that is available as both an oral tablet and a topical treatment. Finasteride inhibits the production of 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase helps to convert testosterone into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Increased DHT levels in our scalp can lead to hair follicles to shrink. The reduction of DHT production by finasteride can slow down hair loss and promote hair growth. Therefore, it is very effective against androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.
However, finasteride can only work to increase scalp hair growth. As body hair is not sensitive to DHT, finasteride cannot be increased or reduced.
What Is The Role of Finasteride After a Hair Transplant?
Finasteride after hair transplant can play a crucial role during hair transplant recovery. A hair transplant procedure involves the relocation of hair follicles from donor areas to recipient areas. The newly transplanted hair is resistant to the effects of DHT. However, the existing hairs are not.
Therefore, finasteride can protect the neighboring existing hairs from thinning. It also helps to enhance the number of hairs in the growth phase (anagen phase). An increased number of hairs in the growing phase rather than the resting phase can lead to faster hair growth. This faster rate of regrowth helps patients to return to their normal appearance quickly.
After a hair transplant procedure, patients may experience a period of hair shedding lasting two to four weeks. The shock of a hair transplant can cause both the newly transplanted hair and the neighboring existing hair to fall out.
However, it is only a temporary form of hair loss known as ‘shock loss’ or telogen effluvium. Use of Finasteride post-transplant may reduce the risk of shock loss. Still, more research is needed to fully understand the beneficial effects of Finasteride for ‘shock loss.’
When Should You Start Taking Finasteride?
You can start taking finasteride at any point in your life, with or without a hair transplant. However, it is not advisable for women of reproductive age as it may cause unwanted congenital disabilities in the fetus. It is also not advisable to start finasteride just days before a hair transplant surgery if you have not used it beforehand.
Finasteride does not have any effect on the transplant procedure itself. However, continued long-term use of finasteride before surgery can help stabilize hair loss. Taking finasteride after a hair transplant in Turkey can also help with androgenic alopecia (known as male or female pattern baldness). Although the research is not conclusive, Finasteride may provide the following benefits:
- Accelerated hair regrowth
- Reduce future hair loss
- Decreased postoperative hair loss
Is It Good to Take Finasteride After a Hair Transplant?
Yes. Post-transplant Finasteride has many advantages. The main reason is that although a hair transplant can have transformative hair transplant before and after results for your hairline, it cannot stop hair loss.
Men with male pattern baldness might still experience hair loss after the transplant. Although the transplanted hair is resistant to shedding, the surrounding areas are still prone to hair loss. This is especially true for areas such as the temples, crowns, and hairline.
This type of hair loss can leave the transplanted hair intact and the surrounding areas balding. This, in turn, gives an unnatural appearance.
Finasteride can prevent this type of hair loss. A clinical study examined men with androgenetic alopecia. The control group received 1mg of finasteride after a hair transplant, and the placebo group did not. Both groups saw a visible increase in their hair growth.
However, those treated with finasteride saw a 94% increase in hair growth, with the placebo group at a 67% increase in hair growth. Therefore, following a hair transplant, finasteride can help with treating future hair loss and promote hair growth.
Are There Any Risks of Taking Finasteride After a Hair Transplant?
Finasteride after hair transplant can be very effective. However, some men report concerning side effects such as decreased libido, reduced volume of semen, and even erectile dysfunction. Long term use of finasteride can also cause Post-Finasteride Syndrome.
However, it is important to note that these side effects are relatively rare. The majority of men do not experience the long-lasting effects of Finasteride. It is important for you to consult your doctor about Finasteride if you are thinking of undergoing hair transplant surgery. You can book a consultation with Cosmedica Clinic in Turkey for more information.
When Is Too Late for Finasteride?
If you are a suitable candidate, it is never too late to start finasteride. However, it is advisable to start as early as possible, because, finasteride is most effective in the early stages of male pattern baldness.
In this stage, finasteride can slow the progression of hair loss. If you have never taken finasteride before, you can start the medication after the procedure. You can consult your doctor to maximize the effectiveness of Finasteride.
When Should I Stop Using Finasteride?
Finasteride is typically used as a long-term medication. Because the effects of finasteride last as long as you take it. Stopping finasteride will increase your levels of DHT shortly after.
As a result, doctors usually recommend taking finasteride continuously if you want to maintain the benefits. However, if you experience any side effects, it’s best to consult your doctor about discontinuing the medication.
What does Cosmedica Clinic Recommend?
At Cosmedica Clinic, the use of finasteride after hair transplant is greatly recommended to maximize your results. However, it is not deemed essential.
The clinic will work with you to develop an individual, specialized plan. The founder of Cosmedica Clinic, Dr. Levent Acar, has over 98% regrowth rate for his hair transplant procedures. He uses special innovations and modern techniques to boost hair growth and maintain the integrity of newly transplanted hair.