Here at California Skin Institute we believe in achieving aesthetic improvements for our patients in the least medically invasive manner possible. When it comes to hair loss – though our surgeons are able to produce stunning hair transplantation outcomes for our patients – we often seek ways to delay the need for surgery. For example, some California Skin Institute patients have benefited significantly from treatments with the hair loss drug, Propecia.

The Basics of Hair Loss

Hair loss occurs in men due to the miniaturizing of the hair follicles. The hair follicles are responsible for growing the hair and go through growth and rest cycles throughout your entire life. However, individuals who are dealing with hair loss have hair follicles that are beginning to weaken, or miniaturize; growing hair that is shorter and thinner.

The reason for this change in the hair follicles often has to do with sensitivity to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This chemical occurs naturally in the body, but men who experience baldness have hair follicles that are genetically predisposed to be sensitive to DHT. When exposed to dihydrotestosterone, the hair follicles are not able to absorb as many nutrients from the bloodstream and begin to miniaturize. The follicles’ resting stages become longer, and the hair they produce becomes much thinner and weaker.

This process of hair follicle miniaturization does not occur overnight. Hence men notice a gradually-receding hairline that can take years, and even decades to create full-scale baldness.

How Propecia Works

Propecia was formulated and tested to reduce the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in the body. By reducing the amount of DHT, the hair follicles are no longer being starved of essential nutrients.  This allows the follicles to remain stronger; thus preventing the resting phase from lengthening and the hair stems from becoming thin.

In this way, Propecia has been used by thousands of men to slow down their hair loss, and sometimes stop the process altogether. In some cases, baldness in patients was even partially reversible. However, it is important to note that once the hair follicle has been sufficiently damaged by DHT, the hair growth may not be reversible.

Therefore, if you are wondering if Propecia is right for you, it is important to keep in mind that this drug provides the best outcomes in specific situations. For example, men who are just beginning to experience hair loss are likely the best candidates for this treatment, as their hair follicles are still strong enough to benefit from reduced DHT in the body. In this way, Propecia may be a viable strategy to slow the process of hair loss and delay the need for more invasive treatment options, like hair transplantation.

Your Propecia Evaluation Appointment

Before prescribing Propecia, your California Skin Institute doctor will first meet with you to discuss your goals and to learn about your medical history. This is a vital step in the treatment process, as Propecia carries a variety of potential side effects. Though hair loss can sometimes be difficult for some men psychologically, we encourage you to be completely honest with your California Skin Institute doctor because that will help us assess whether Propecia is truly the most viable treatment option for you, or if another approach may yield better and safer outcomes.

If after your consultation your California Skin Institute doctor believes that you can genuinely benefit from Propecia, you can take advantage of our on-site dispensing, without the need to visit a pharmacist.

To learn more about Propecia and to set up your consultation, please find a California Skin Institute practice near you and give us a call!

Disclaimer

Treatment results will vary, talk to a practitioner to see if this treatment or procedure is right for you.

Conditions treated by Propecia

• Hair Loss