We often take our hair for granted until we realize we’re losing it. Of males, 50% will experience some degree of hair loss by the time they reach 50. Does your hair loss make you look older than you feel?
While some surgeries and treatments can help baldness, most are invasive and require a good amount of downtime. If you’re looking for a noninvasive approach, Propecia® may be a great option for you.
Propecia is an oral supplement that halts hair growth in its tracks so you experience less future baldness. At Hair Doc, located in San Francisco, California, we provide Propecia and a variety of other medications to help aid in hair loss for a variety of male pattern baldness.
Propecia is the brand name for the generic drug, finasteride. Taken orally and daily, you need a prescription for this drug that slows down hair loss in men. While it does not help hair that’s already been lost, it is incredibly effective in preserving further hair loss and thickening existing hair.
The drug works by its basis of enzyme 5-alpha reductase — the enzyme responsible for steroid metabolism. Propecia stops testosterone from converting to androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — DHT triggers hair follicles to undergo miniaturization.
Because 10% of testosterone is primarily converted to DHT, Propecia’s role in preserving this can be extremely beneficial to men who are experiencing crown balding and hair loss. It must be noted that Propecia is created for male pattern baldness and is not an advisable medication for women.
Undergoing surgeries for hair loss may be effective, but most come with downtime. Many men with busy lifestyles can’t afford to take time off of work, let alone want anyone to know they’re undergoing surgery. This makes Propecia a great alternative that comes with many additional benefits.
Benefits of Propecia include:
Propecia must be taken for at least three months before results are shown. While side effects are minimal, most men find that they reside the first few days or weeks after starting Propecia.
Propecia and RogaineTM are the only two drugs approved by the FDA to address male pattern baldness. However, it is important to note that the two drugs work differently and are used for different outcomes. While Propecia stops balding in its tracks, Rogaine brings nutrients to weak hair follicles to strengthen them.
When comparing the two, Propecia is a better first-line treatment with a great track record — slowing down hair loss in 86% of men. Rogaine is suggested by hair loss experts if Propecia is not effective.
For best results, Propecia and Rogaine can also be used together. As previously mentioned, the two medications work for different outcomes so there is little to no risk between the two. The best way to find out if Propecia, Rogaine, or a combination of the two medications are right for you is by coming into our office.
Call 415-907-7355 to schedule your consultation or book online.
