Is there any data to suggest that if your a young male taking propecia prior to a hair transplant that you will have less shock loss? I only ask because I read your comments about this subject. What would be the mechanism behind this, other than the usuall effects of finesteride on 5-alpha-reductase enzyme?

The information I have is based upon my observations from a large number of surgeries I have done both prior to Propecia (finasteride 1mg) being available and then after it came on the market. Prior to using Propecia, almost every young man (under 30) who underwent a hair transplant had some shock loss. Since I have placed almost all of my patients on Propecia, I have rarely seen shock loss. As to why it works, I do believe it is because of the protective effect of finasteride on the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the miniaturized hair covers the ’stress’ of the surgery.