When Is it Right to Start Propecia?

When is the right time to start using Propecia? I’m 29 and have visited three doctors to get different opinions about my slowly thinning hair that I’ve started to notice in the past year. Two doctors told me my thinning is not significant enough for Propecia and instead suggested I try Rogain. The third doctor told me to start Propecia, Rogain and laser comb therapy as soon as possible.

If you are balding, then you should start it ASAP. Mapping the scalp for miniaturization will give you a metric for a starting point so that in a year you can compare not only the value of returned hair, but the change in the degree of miniaturization. You can even map your own scalp, as outlined in part 1 and part 2 of Mapping Your Own Scalp for Miniaturization.

Propecia is available by prescription only, so your doctor has to be involved with that — Rogaine is available over the counter, and I seriously doubt the laser therapy will provide any help. The right time to start treatment is when you start seeing early hair loss, and you don’t have to wait until you’re significantly balding.