What’s the Purpose of Taking Propecia If I Just Need Hairline Help?

I have a question regarding the entry “How Many Months Does it Usually Take for Regrowth from Propecia to Occur?”. You said it’s unlikely that people with a norwood 3 will be able to re-grow hair at the frontal hairline. In this case, is there a purpose in taking propecia? Would hair transplant be better in restoring the frontal hairline?

I am actually very worried about taking propecia because I am scared that I may have to stop taking it one day (due to the cost of the drug) or for other reasons that I can’t continue using it. And you mentioned that once someone stops taking the drug, hair will fall out rapidly. Even though 2 dermatologists told me that once I stopped using it, my hair will just go back to the state prior to taking the drug (so I am just buying time using propecia).

Can you also help me with finding a reputable doctor (or a hair transplant surgeon?) I can consult in Toronto, Ontario as I am not sure how to get in touch with one.

Thank you so much

Your question reflects your confusion of the facts as they exist. Propecia (finasteride) rarely regrows hair in the Norwood Class 3 balding pattern (frontal area). Transplants are the way to go if you qualify as a candidate (loose “rule” is if you’re over 24 years old… or if you are younger and have a good doctor that doesn’t just want to get your money). Hair loss is progressive in nature, and as I don’t have enough information about you, I couldn’t begin to guess as to whether your hair loss has stabilized or if you’re in for further loss. Your dermatologists told you correct info — if you stop Propecia, you may rapidly go back to where you would have been had you not taken it. There are generic forms of finasteride (in 5mg dosage that can be cut) which can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of Propecia, but you need a doctor’s prescription for it.

To find a doctor in your area, go to the ISHRS site and look up the doctors in Toronto using their physician search. Every city has some good doctors and some dishonest ones, so be sure to research your chosen physician on the web (and you can figure out the reputation of the doctors by looking on various industry bulletin boards, including Hair Transplant Network and Hair Loss Help).