Propecia & Acne - The Connection

Introduction

There is a big controversy going on about how the male hair loss prevention drug Propecia affects acne. Currently, there are many who say the drug clears acne. On the other hand, there are many who say the drug causes acne. Many men experience low self esteem due to hair loss and often look for ways to counter act it. The problem is, they are looking for something that helps their appearance not trade one bad for another.

What is Propecia?

Propecia, also called Finasteride, is a medication taken in pill form for male hair loss. It was originally invented while trying to develop a cure for an enlarged prostate. Hair loss in men is very common and usually begins occurring in men ages 20 to 30. It can cut down on or even reverse hair loss by influencing an androgen called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Propecia has been shown to stop hair loss and promote the regrowth in about 80 percent of patients. This happens within just a few months. There have been a lot of complaints that it causes acne, on the other hand, there have also been comments that Propecia can help treat acne.

Does Propecia cause acne?

There are some who have complained that taking the drug causes them to have acne problems. Before any drug is released, it has to go through intensive testing so any side effects can be determined. In these studies people were given Propecia and compared to those who were not given any drugs. These studies concluded that acne was not one of the side effects of Propecia.

Does Propecia help clear acne?

At first, scientists thought that Propecia could help clear up acne. This is because the drug hinders the enzyme Type 2 5a-reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. DHT is a major cause for some acne. This theory was shot down because Propecia does not block the Type 1 enzyme that is in the oil glands responsible for causing acne. Propecia regulates hormones and since acne is cause by hormones, it is possible that the drug can affect acne.

Conclusion

There is no proof that Propecia causes or clears acne. You may hear from certain people that it cleared their acne or you may hear from someone else that it caused acne. Because no drug works exactly the same on one person as it does another, there may never be proof that Propecia causes or helps acne. Therefore, just because your friend tells you that Propecia cleared his acne doesn't mean it will clear yours. Hormones vary by individual and you should not expect more out of the drug than what it is approved to treat.

For more Propecia information, including all the benefits and side effects: please visit our Propecia page