Just recently, someone accused me of advocating for finasteride
because I supposedly receive a commission for doing so.
Not the first time I got a comment like this!
For a moment ignoring this remark, what is deeply concerning is that in recent times, I’ve noticed a trend—accusations and misinformation directed at those of us who are genuinely trying to help patients navigate the complexities of hair loss treatments.
As someone dedicated to patient welfare, this accusation stings, not because it has any truth to it, but because it reflects a broader issue in today’s digital age: the spread of misinformation and distrust.
Before we get into it, I want to take a moment to acknowledge one of my patients who recently left a rebuttal to the aforementioned comment and that really struck a chord. And this is what he replied:
“For the people saying this doctor gets commission for making these videos, being a hair surgeon is a decently paid job, and I doubt he will spend time making videos for a few pence commission (it’s like £8 a month in the UK). Hair transplant doctors would actually make more money if they didn’t prescribe finasteride, as more people would need more and more transplants to chase that balding and thinning. There are loads of people on Reddit who, in the past, have said they had PFS, and then later in life, they tried it again and realized they were full of anxiety, which led to nocebo. If you’re thinking the little pill isn’t going to work, it won’t. Simple as that. Stop fear-mongering and let people try it for themselves.”
Now, this comment hit home because it speaks to several critical points that often get lost in the noise surrounding finasteride and hair loss treatments.
A Surgeon’s Responsibility to Patient Welfare
As a hair transplant surgeon, I’ve dedicated years of my life to understanding hair loss, its causes, and the best ways to treat it. Patients come to me with the hope of regaining not just their hair, but their confidence, their self-esteem, and, quite frankly, their sense of identity. Hair loss can be emotionally devastating, and it’s not something that can be taken lightly. Therefore, when I recommend treatments like finasteride, it’s not because I’m looking to profit or push a product. I make enough honourably from my profession. It’s because, based on extensive research and clinical experience, I know it works for many patients.
Noone has taken note of the fact that I never mention a trade name for Finasteride. Just generic Finasteride is what all my videos are all about. If someone was paying me, there would be some mention of the company either in my videos or in my video description.
And more importantly, If I were purely driven by profit, as the accusation suggests, I could simply stop recommending finasteride altogether. Think about it: if more people avoided finasteride, their hair loss would progress unchecked. That would only mean one thing—more hair transplants. And as a surgeon who is primarily a hair transplant surgeon, that would indeed bring in more revenue. But here’s the thing: I’m not in this field to exploit my patients’ vulnerabilities. My goal has always been to provide the best solution for each individual’s needs, even if that means fewer procedures and less financial gain for me in the short term. I am content with what I earn and would not do so with the pain of others.
The Misinformation Epidemic
What we are witnessing now, especially on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and various online forums, is an epidemic of misinformation. People who are scared, anxious, or have had less-than-ideal experiences with a medication are quick to share their stories, and that’s fair. Everyone’s experience is valid. But what isn’t fair is when fear turns into fear-mongering. We must distinguish between valid concerns and the spread of unnecessary panic.
Let’s talk about finasteride specifically. Yes, like any medication, it has side effects, and some patients may experience them. However, the vast majority of patients take it without issue, and for those individuals, it can be a game-changer in preventing hair loss. There’s a wealth of scientific data backing its efficacy and safety. Unfortunately, many of the alarming stories shared online are from a small percentage of users who may have experienced side effects, or from those who attribute every health issue they face while on the medication to finasteride without considering other factors.
This is where the nocebo effect comes into play. For those who aren’t familiar, the nocebo effect is the opposite of the placebo effect. It’s when someone experiences negative side effects simply because they expect to, not necessarily because of the drug itself. Anxiety, fear, and anticipation can significantly influence how someone feels while taking a medication. It’s not uncommon for people to go off finasteride due to perceived side effects, only to return to it later and realize that many of their initial symptoms were tied more to anxiety than to the drug itself.
Why I Continue to Advocate for Finasteride
Despite the occasional backlash, I will continue to advocate for finasteride because I believe in providing my patients with every tool available to combat hair loss. It’s a medication that has been extensively studied, and for many patients, it’s highly effective.
To suggest that I or any other ethical doctor would push finasteride for a minor commission is not just insulting—it’s illogical. As my patient pointed out in their comment, the amount of money that could be made from such commissions is trivial compared to the income from hair transplant surgeries. If profit were my goal, recommending finasteride would be the last thing I’d do. But my mission has always been patient-first, and that means giving people options, even if it means fewer transplants.
Standing Strong for the Patients
At the end of the day, I am here for my patients—those who feel lost in the sea of online opinions, those who are scared to make a decision, and those who just want honest, factual advice. It’s frustrating to be accused of ulterior motives, but I’ve learned to let it roll off my back. I know why I’m here, and I know who I’m here for.
I will continue to speak up, provide balanced information, and help guide people through the complexities of hair loss treatment. For every person accusing me of working for profit, there are countless others who are genuinely looking for help, and they deserve a doctor who isn’t swayed by accusations or the latest internet trend. They deserve someone who is staying the course.
So, thank you to those who continue to trust me, and thank you to the patient who left that heartwarming comment. Together, we can navigate through the misinformation and find what truly works—because when it comes to your health, you deserve nothing less than the truth.
