Finasteride Use by Young Men: Not only for Baldness in the Crown !

Finasteride Use by Young Men

For years, we've largely assumed that finasteride helps men with hair loss in the crown, but does little for men with hair loss in the front of the scalp or the temples.

A new study by US researchers has nicely shown that finasteride 1 mg daily can help young men with male pattern balding regardless of where on the scalp the man has hair thinning.

The researchers studied men 18 to 60 years of age for a period of two years. Four areas of the scalp were examined: (1) vertex (crown), (2) the mid-scalp, (3) the frontal hair line and (4) the temples.

What were the results of the study?

The study showed that young men benefitted from taking finasteride - regardless of where there hair thinning occured. Young men (age 18-40) with hair loss in front, temples, mid-scalp or crown all had benefit from taking finasteride. However, the same was not true of men age 41-60. Men in this slightly older group benefitted most if their hair loss was in the crown and the mid-scalp.

Reference

Olsen EA et al. Global photographic assessment of men aged 18 to 60 with male pattern hair loss receiving finasteride 1 mg or placebo.  J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 67: 379-86. (click for abstract)