Avocado and DHT, Propecia Costs, Generic Finasteride Fillers
Doctor,
- Is there anything that can be done to stop the progression from Norwood 2 to 3? Is there any thinning in the temporal area for Norwood 2? When a maturing hairline begins will it eventually get worse leading to MPB? Also, does a maturing hairline and MPB follow a similar pattern since the hairline recedes ,etc.?
- I read somewhere that avocado may reduce DHT, but is it really true (I doubt it, but I will still ask)?
- Is there a critical period to start Propecia? Usually in the U.S. how much does Propecia cost? Also, do you prescribe Propecia and Proscar? Is a consultation in your center free, and usually what is done?
- When it comes to medication for hair loss is “what you pay is what you get”? Therefore, a generic of finasteride will not be as effective as Propecia? Is there anything added to generic finasteride that is not in Propecia (i.e., any filler substances)?
P.S. I know you can’t respond to all emails, but I would appreciate if you respond to my questions.
Thank You
- The mature hairline progression is not balding. If your hairline goes further back than the mature hairline, then you are balding. Most non-balding Caucasian men have a maturing hairline. Temporal recession is possible in Norwood 2. You can find full Norwood class descriptions here.
- Everything I can find online about avocado and DHT says it “may” help treat hair loss, but allow me to end the speculation now. Avocado is a delicious fruit, good to make guacamole, but not good to treat hair loss either by application to the head or eating it.
- The first consultation in my office is free right now, and I set aside a full hour for first timers. We’ll discuss your hair loss, I’ll map your scalp for miniaturization using a video microscope, and we’ll go over treatment options. If you’re likely to be a finasteride candidate (starting it in the earlier stages of hair loss is best), I’ll likely prescribe it. Propecia costs $190 for a 90 day supply in my office. I don’t know how much other doctors or pharmacies charge, but I believe we’re on the lower end of the price scale.
- Generic finasteride is less expensive than Propecia, but otherwise as long as it really contains finasteride, the generic is just as good. The issue of fillers is not relevant.
Image Courtesy of California Avocado Commission
Dr. Rassman – the fact that you set aside an hour for your first visit with a new patient for free speaks volumes about your practice. I saw one of your another clinician during a ‘free’ first appointment and he was out the door before I could ask a question.
It was not helpful for me and ultimately a waste for him, since if i ever elect for surgery, it will certainly not be with him.
well done.
Hello! I’m a soon to be 23 year old who has always had pretty thin and fine hair. Since the 20th of April (over a month ago), I’ve been losing globs of hair, at a pretty steady rate, every single day. I can’t even run my hand over my head without a handful of full strands, and the amount of hair I lose in the shower each time is horrifying. This has happened to me in the past due to stress, but I haven’t noticed any increase in my average stress levels in the past month. Nothing new or different has happened to bring this on. The only thing I can think of is that it might be the small amount of avocado oil in my conditioner (which I only just started using on Easter). I’ve never really had any allergic reactions to anything until this past March when I had a sub sandwich with avocado on it and I broke out into a full body rash and a slightly swollen face. As I’m typing this all out, the answer seems fairly obvious but I’ll post it anyway for an opinion. It was an expensive conditioner and I don’t want to throw it out unless absolutely necessary, but I really can’t stand to lose much more hair.
Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
-Sarah