Aging, Hair Loss, and Propecia

Aging is a natural process we all go experience. For many men, hair loss is an expected side effect of aging. It is something they believe they just have to live with when there are treatments for hair loss in men. In fact, there is no reason that older men should not use Propecia to treat their hair loss. Age is not a factor in the drug's effectiveness.

Hormone Changes

Male pattern baldness has been linked to sex hormones. Specifically, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a type of androgen which is central to male sexual development. Androgens are responsible for hair growth and the libido. Hair loss occurs in men whose hair follicles are particularly sensitive to DHT. As hair falls out, it does not grow back as is the natural course or it returns thinner.

As men age, their hormones change and this can have an impact on their hair loss. Many men experience sudden and excessive hair loss in their 50's and 60's. They may have had healthy hair up to this point, so the hair loss comes as quite a shock.

Stopping Hair Loss

Men of all ages use hair loss treatments to stop hair from thinning and falling out. It is a well known fact that balding men look older than men with full heads of hair. Because people are living longer, more men are turning to hair loss drugs to stop this aging process in its tracks.

Hair loss treatments can effectively stop further hair loss. When you first begin taking this type of medication, you may experience an initial increase in hair loss. This is to be expected as the old hair is pushed out to make room for the healthy hair to grow. It can take up to three weeks before you begin to see results and up to a year or two for the full impact of the drug to be realized.

Reversing Hair Loss

Some men who use Propecia have experienced regrowth of hair. This may be more difficult in older men who have the challenge of additional hormone changes that can counteract the drug's effect. However, it is a possibility that should be explored before turning to other hair replacement options. Hair that regrows appears more natural and is safer for you compared to alternatives such as hair transplantation or plugs. Many men use Propecia for years to facilitate regrowth of hair.