Experiencing Hair Thinning and Itchy Scalp After 6 Months on Finasteride

General Basic Questions
1

192 days ago (6 months and 12 days), I (21, male, asian) started taking finasteride on the advice of a dermatologist. At that time, my hair was thinner than last year (2024) , but not severely, and I started taking finasteride to prevent it from thinning further.

I experienced noticeable side effects from finasteride, including depressed mood and decreased libido. This was unpleasant, but I could tolerate it if my hair returned to its original density.

However, over these 192 days, my hair has started to thin diffusely. The hair on the sides and back of my head has also started to thin, which has never happened before. Although I don’t lose many hairs when I wash my hair each day, about 15 strands or less, the overall thinning trend is visible to the naked eye, and I’ve taken photos to document the process.

In addition, my scalp oil production has decreased significantly, and my scalp has become itchy, which has persisted for 4-5 months without improvement. I consulted a dermatologist, who said that the scalp itching was caused by seborrheic dermatitis, but my scalp oil production is far lower than before I started taking finasteride, which I find ridiculous.

2

Do a trichological analysis and see what’s up. I can’t give advice for hair but unlike have a good site for that. https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/ here this site is like this but much better you’ll find reliable people to ask for help from

3

Two word “be patient" and see you doc derm about oral minoxidol…that’s if you have MPB. If it is MPB then fin should halt your hair loss. Min grows it back. Fin rarely grows more hair but min can help with that. Remember your hair grows in cycles and 6 months is nothing…you need to commit to a minimum of 2 years and if you cannot commit to tjus time frame the give up now. Finally you may need to try dutasteride if fin does not work but I do not think you are there yet. Also dht stimulates a more oily scalp so less oil means fin is working unless you have changed your diet.