I’m In My 30s and I’ve Waited Almost 10 Years Before Finally Deciding to Treat My Hair Loss

Dr Rassman,

I’m 30 and although I have been losing hair since my early 20s, it’s only after I got my hair cut very short recently that it hit me how much I am balding (I am somewhere between Norwood 2 and 3).

Like many men, I find it very difficult to accept and it is causing me a great deal of stress. However I have decided to act on it before it’s too late, and so I am taking Propecia as of today. I am also using Rogaine foam 5% and although it seems to reduce the hairloss, I wonder if I should stop now that I’m taking Propecia.

In several of your posts, you suggest that Propecia works best for men in their 20s, and also that the number of years between the start of the hairloss and taking Propecia affects the results.

Does this mean that I should not expect great results from Propecia, being in my early 30s and having waited nearly 10 years?

Thank you for your excellent blog!

The results will depend upon how much miniaturization you have in the remaining hair. Propecia works well for early miniaturization, which is what men in their 20s have. It still works in men of your age, providing that you have not lost the hair and are presently bald. Propecia does not work well for areas of complete balding, but on occasion, minoxidil may bring out hair were minimal hair is present. I can not advise you without seeing your photos and establishing at least a telephone consultation with me.