Is Propecia Worth Using If My Only Loss is At the Hairline?

Dear Dr

I currently have a norwood 2.5 shape hairline with moderate recession at both sides. I have been using minoxidil for over a year and while there hasn’t been any regrowth, there has been a definite slowing down of recession. My hair is very thick at the forelock and all over the rest of my head so my question is:

Is it worth committing to propecia when less than ten percent see a benefit at the front hair line? From the studies i have read, minoxidil has as much chance if not more than propecia of making a difference at the hairline. I don’t want to commit to a drug with until i have to, and would prefer to wait and see whether my hair loss will extend to the crown or won’t, but would appreciate your advice.

Many thanks

Without actually seeing you and examining you, I can not tell you what to do. Your assumptions about minoxidil and where it works best, are not standard thinking… but if it works to slow down your frontal loss, that seems to be what you want.

Many Norwood class 3 balding patterns will evolve into a class 3V (which includes the crown). Finasteride is good at stopping or slowing crown loss if there is miniaturization present. You should see knowledgeable doctor who can do a bulk analysis on your scalp hair, because that measurement will determine if the process has started in the crown.

If you really care about the future of your hair, why not get a professional involved in helping you make intelligent decisions? Propecia could make a difference in at least preventing further loss, but taking that medication is going to be something a doctor will have to recommend after an examination.