Taking Dutasteride After A Hair Transplant

Dutasteride can help prevent hair loss and is often considered after a hair transplant to preserve your natural hair and ensure your results last longer.

What is Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a synthetic compound that’s used mainly for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. The medication also helps prevent hair loss, with a large body of research showing that it can be used to treat hair-loss conditions like androgenic alopecia.

My patients often take Dutasteride to prevent their hair loss getting worse. It helps to preserve their hair transplant result for longer as the native hair that isn’t transplanted stays in place for longer.
Dr roshan vara, co-founder and surgeon at the treatment rooms london

How does dutasteride work?

Dutasteride works by blocking the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Regularly, the 5-alpha-reductase helps convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which plays essential roles in the sexual development of males. When Dutasteride blocks the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, DHT levels in the body reduce.

DHT in the body has been linked to the most common form of hair loss among both men and women- androgenic alopecia. The hormone DHT causes hair on the scalp to thin and fall out over time. It affects as much as 50% of both males and females, and is characterised by a gradual, permanent loss of hair from the scalp, which goes on to cause baldness.

Research into Dutasteride for preventing hair loss

There is substantial evidence demonstrating Dutasteride’s effectiveness in treating hair loss. Certain countries, like Japan, have approved the use of Dutasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia, while the United States and the UK are yet to formally give it the green light. Therefore, doctors prescribe the drug as an off-label treatment.

Research has shown that Dutasteride can improve hair growth. This can be seen in a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. In the study, male patients suffering from androgenic alopecia were given 0.5 mg of Dutasteride every day for a period of 6 months, after which their hair count was assessed. At the end of the clinical experiment, the results showed that subjects who took 0.5 mg of Dutasteride were able to increase their hair count by up to 12.2/cm². This increase was in fact more than double the amount seen in the placebo group (those who did not take Dutasteride).
More findings published in the Clinical Interventions in Aging Journal found that Dutasteride, as a drug, is more effective than finasteride in the treatment of hair loss in male patients suffering from androgenic alopecia.
In another study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Dutasteride and finasteride’s efficacy in improving hair growth was tested in women with androgenic alopecia. At the end of the experiment, both drugs were found to be effective in increasing hair thickness. However, Dutasteride was found to be slightly more effective, as it was able to increase hair thickness in 83.3% of subjects, while finasteride followed suit at 81.7%.
In another research published in the same Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Dutasteride efficacy over finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia was proven once again. Men who were given Dutasteride showed a greater increase in total hair count per cm² than those who took only finasteride.

Dutasteride and having a hair transplant

If you just had a hair transplant, there are various measures your doctor will recommend to aid your recovery. Included in this, Doctors also recommend medications that can prevent hair loss, which will help preserve your hair transplant result. Medications like Dutasteride can therefore help with this.

dutasteride after hair transplant — This gentleman took Dutasteride before and after having his hair transplant to his hairline

Taking Dutasteride after a hair transplant

After a hair transplant, new grafts or follicles are transplanted into your scalp, which will grow over 6-12 months. However, doctors often prescribe Dutasteride after a hair transplant surgery, mainly for two reasons:

Increased hair growth

We have seen several scientific findings showing that Dutasteride can increase hair growth, improve hair thickness, and increase overall hair count. These are effects that can benefit patients who are suffering from hair loss and thinning and have just had a hair transplant.

Generally, after a hair transplant, hair tends to grow slowly. In fact, it can take anywhere between three and six months before your hair begins to grow. Since Dutasteride increases hair growth, your Doctor might prescribe some for you to help hasten your regrowth.
Prevent hair loss

Research has found that dutasteride is effective in preventing the most common form of hair loss, androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is a long-lasting condition which can cause hair loss after having a hair transplant. Therefore, preventing hair loss with Dutasteride is an essential consideration for patients.

How much Dutasteride should you take after having a hair transplant?

Generally, Dutasteride comes in a 0.5 mg capsule and should be taken only once a day. This is the most common dosage for Dutasteride.

When can you start Dutasteride after having your hair transplant?

You can start Dutasteride immediately after your hair transplant if you wanted to take it. If you are taking Dutasteride in advance of surgery there is no requirement for you to stop the medication in advance of your surgery day.

Side effects of Dutasteride

Taking Dutasteride can cause side effects. Some of them include:

Lowered sex drive
Mood disturbance
Dizziness
Ejaculation disorder
Increased breast size and tendernes
Testicular swelling/ tenderness.

If you suffer from any of these side effects please inform your prescribing Doctor as you will need to consider stopping these medications or reducing your dose.

Summary

After a hair transplant, Doctors can recommend drugs like Dutasteride to accelerate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Dutasteride works by blocking the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main hormone responsible for hair loss and thinning.

REFERENCES

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Authored by

Dr Roshan Vara

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Dr. Roshan Vara is a renowned hair transplant surgeon in London and the Co-Founder of our award winning hair transplant clinic, The Treatment Rooms London.He has over 10 years of experience in hair transplant surgery and is recognised for delivering natural-looking results through ethical, patient-centred care. He is a Full Medical Member of BAHRS and an Associate Member of ISHRS, reflecting his commitment to the highest standards in modern hair restoration.

GMC Registered - 7458409

Reviewed by

Dr Dilan Fernando

Hair Transplant Surgeon & Co-Founder

Dr. Dilan Fernando is regarded as one of the best hair transplant surgeons in London and Co-Founder of The Treatment Rooms London. He has over 10 years of experience in hair transplant surgery and is known for his meticulous technique and commitment to ethical practice. He served on the Executive Committee of BAHRS from 2020 to 2024, helping to shape industry standards for patient safety and quality of care. Dr. Fernando personally performs each surgery, ensuring natural results built on trust and experience.

GMC Registered - 7458157