Finasteride Truth, Hair Transplants & the Future of Hair Loss | Dr. Gary Linkov

About this video

• Video Title: Finasteride Truth, Hair Transplants & the Future of Hair Loss | Dr. Gary Linkov
• Channel: Let's Get Hair
• Speakers: Dr. Gary Linkov
• Duration: 01:10:00

Overview

This video features a discussion with Dr. Gary Linkov, a hair restoration specialist, covering various aspects of hair loss treatment and hair transplantation. Topics include the importance and safety of finasteride, advice before getting a hair transplant, shock loss, no-shave FUE, finasteride vs. dutasteride, managing side effects, topical finasteride, the cost and quality of hair transplants, future treatments for hair loss, and dealing with online negativity.

Key takeaways

• Finasteride Management: Dr. Linkov emphasizes starting with standard finasteride dosage (1mg/day) and monitoring patients for side effects. If side effects occur, he advises reducing the dose (e.g., 0.5mg every other day) and has found this approach effective in managing side effects while maintaining hair loss control.
• Hair Transplant Pre-Consultation: Key factors before a hair transplant include understanding patient expectations, ensuring sufficient donor density, and confirming hair stability. Dr. Linkov stresses that unrealistic expectations or unstable hair can lead to unsatisfactory results, and surgery itself can exacerbate thinning in a non-medicated patient.
• No-Shave FUE Technique: The video touches upon the no-shave FUE technique, highlighting the importance of a skilled surgical team and meticulous planning to avoid damaging existing hair and to achieve optimal density.
• Finasteride and Transplants: Dr. Linkov strongly recommends finasteride for patients undergoing hair transplants, stating it's more critical for long-term success than the surgery itself. He explains that finasteride helps preserve existing hair and prevents further loss, which is crucial for maintaining the results of a transplant over decades.
• Finasteride vs. Dutasteride: Dutasteride is presented as a stronger alternative to finasteride, used when finasteride is not fully effective. Dr. Linkov prefers to start with finasteride due to its generally lower incidence of side effects and only switches to dutasteride if hair loss progression is observed despite finasteride use.
• Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS): Dr. Linkov expresses skepticism about PFS, noting that in his clinical experience and discussions with other surgeons, persistent side effects after discontinuing finasteride are rarely observed. He believes side effects are usually temporary and manageable by adjusting dosage or stopping the medication.
• Cost and Quality of Transplants: The discussion contrasts significantly different price points for hair transplants (e.g., $5k in Turkey vs. $25k in the US). Dr. Linkov argues that the focus should be on choosing a qualified surgeon, not the country or the price, as quality can vary widely regardless of cost or location.
• Future of Hair Loss Treatments: While acknowledging ongoing research into solutions like hair cloning, Dr. Linkov believes a true "cure" is still distant due to the complexity and cost of such technologies. He suggests that current treatments, like finasteride and transplants, will remain the primary options for the foreseeable future, with advancements likely being incremental.
• Online Presence and Criticism: Dr. Linkov addresses the challenges of maintaining a strong online presence, particularly in sharing patient results. He discusses dealing with negativity and criticism online, emphasizing the importance of curating comments to maintain a positive and informative environment for genuine patients.
• "Feel Confident" Product Line: The video concludes with an update on Dr. Linkov's product line, "Feel Confident," detailing its evolution from scar gels and prescription medications to a broader range of skincare and haircare products, including an upcoming scalp serum.