Q: I have done a lot of research over the past year including seeing a dermatologist and receiving consultation from a surgeon. Both recommended Propecia and Rogaine. My confidence in their advice was lost when I researched each of these products and found that they do not improve receding hairlines, only lost hair in the crown area. I’d like to know if there are any other options available to me that work and if a transplant is something that should be done on someone with my hair loss level.

A: Both Propecia and Minoxidil definitely can work in the front of the scalp as long as there is some hair in the area. Although their mechanisms of action are different, both Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) act to thicken miniaturized hair wherever its location.

Dr. Robert M. Bernstein was interviewed for a segment on The Today Show on the subject of eyelash enhancement and use of the eyelash medication Latisse. Dr. Bernstein first appears about two minutes into the clip.

View the complete video on the Hair Transplant Blog.

Q: I know that Propecia works in only about half of patients. Are younger people more likely to be helped by this medication?

A: The main studies by Merck looked at men between the ages of 18 and 41. The five year data (which, in my view, is most important) showed that 48% of men had an increase in hair growth and 42% had no change over baseline. Thus a full 90% held on to their hair or had more over a 5-year period. This compares very favorably to the placebo group where 75% lost hair over the 5-year period.

Q: Is using Minoxidil combined with Retin-A better than regular Minoxidil for Hair Loss?

A: Minoxidil has been prescribed (off-label) in combination with other medications, such as topical retinoic acid (Retin-A), to enhance its penetration into the skin and thus increase its effectiveness. This combination of medications, however, can significantly increase the absorption of minoxidil into the bloodstream and may increase the risk of potential side effects.

Q: What time should I take the Propecia? Does it work better if I take it at night as opposed to the morning and should I take it with meals? A: It doesn’t matter what time of day you take Propecia and the time can very each day. The absorption of Propecia (finasteride) is not [...]