Does Finasteride work for hair loss

For many men experiencing androgenetic alopecia or male pattern hair loss, Finasteride 1mg offers an effective treatment option for improving and promoting healthy hair growth. These oral medication tablets have been clinically tested and proven in studies to help block the effects that testosterone has on hair follicles and the hair loss process. By altering the conversion of testosterone into DHT, Finasteride can slow or reverse male pattern hair loss.

Around 65% of patients see increased hair count, thickness, and coverage after taking a 1mg tablet daily for a year. However, as with any medication, results can vary based on age, scalp health, diet, degree of hair loss, and additional factors. Patience and properly managing expectations are key.

If you’re curious whether Finasteride treatment could benefit your hair condition, an easy first step is consulting a healthcare provider or advice from a hair loss specialist. Do not wait until the advanced stages of hair loss before exploring Finasteride or alternative proven hair growth options and treatment plans.

Key takeaways:

• Finasteride tablets block male pattern hair loss by changing the way your body processes a hormone called DHT, which is responsible for hair loss.
• Clinical studies find around 90% of men who take a 1mg Finasteride pill daily see hair loss stop within a year.
• Consistently using oral Finasteride medication for more than a year has the best results for reversing thinning hair and improving coverage.

How does Finasteride fight Hair Loss?

How Finasteride works against hair loss

What does this widely used hair loss treatment actually do? Finasteride works by controlling the effects of DHT, the hormone testosterone converts into when it reaches your scalp. This conversion process triggers miniaturisation (shrinking) and gradual death of sensitive hair follicles, making your hair thin out over time.

By managing DHT, Finasteride tablets create better conditions for regrowing thicker, healthier hair. It works at the source—the testosterone hormone effects that cause the progression of inherited hair loss.

The daily 1mg oral Finasteride dose is well-absorbed into the bloodstream before reaching the scalp tissue. Blocking testosterone’s conversion into excessive DHT prevents further damage to vulnerable hair follicles. This helps stabilise hair loss by improving the thickness of hairs and growing new ones through the hair growth cycle.

While Finasteride works well on its own, research shows combining it with other treatments, like topical Minoxidil solutions, can further boost hair regrowth results. This is because the medications work in complementary ways.

After the first few months, patients tend to notice decreased hair shedding in addition to seeing new growth as tiny hairs. Tracking progress with regular hair counts or scalp photos can help motivate you to stick to a daily Finasteride routine long-term.

Efficacy of Finasteride and clinical evidence

So, does scientific evidence back up Finasteride as an effective hair loss treatment option? Extensive clinical trial research confirms its ability to stop the progression of hair loss and regrow hair for most men.

A long-term study published in a research journal followed over 1,500 men taking 1mg of Finasteride daily for 5 years. The findings showed that most patients were able to stabilise gradual hair loss by blocking the effects of DHT on the scalp.

Additional major studies indicate similar success rates, with most men noticing some noticeable improvement after 3-6 months of consistent treatment with Finasteride. This may include stabilisation of hair loss, no further visible thinning, or slightly visible thickening in areas like the hairline and crown. However, dramatic regrowth takes longer. Success is highest for treating pattern hair loss conditions like male pattern baldness when combined with Minoxidil solutions or laser devices.

While sexual side effects are rare and can appear in up to 4% of men, potential risks like erectile dysfunction are a complex, emotional topic that demands thoughtful discussion and assessment between patient and provider. Tracking progress helps determine if Finasteride remains the right path forward.

When to expect changes

Patience and realistic expectations are key when starting Finasteride for pattern hair loss treatment. This medication gradually blocks the effects of DHT to help strengthen existing hairs and encourage new growth. On the Finasteride timeline of before and after results, it takes time to interrupt the biology behind your hair follicles shrinking.

During the first couple of months, some patients paradoxically notice increased hair shedding. But stick with your daily Finasteride routine because, in most cases, this initial loss means growth is around the corner.

After 3-6 months, you may start spotting positive changes like slowing hair loss at the temples or crown. Existing strands can look mildly thicker or fuller. From months 6-12, stunted follicles regain strength to finish forming new strong strands of hair.

However, the dramatic cosmetic impact of Finasteride tablets can take 12 months or longer to build. Tracking subtle changes with regular progress photos helps you stick to a long-term hair care plan. Consistency is key, along with combating hair loss through a balanced diet, light exercise, and reducing stress.

Be alert for any potential side effects of Finasteride, like erectile dysfunction or loss of libido, which can appear in more than 1 in 100 people - stop taking Finasteride if these persist. Otherwise, keep the faith through temporary shedding periods or slow starts. Hair growth is a gradual process requiring commitment.

Is Finasteride a permanent fix?

Can Finasteride provide a lifelong, permanent solution to pattern hair loss? Unfortunately, no hair loss medication offers a complete cure yet. Male pattern baldness is an ongoing genetic condition stimulated by DHT. Finasteride treats symptoms consistently over time rather than eliminating root genetics.

This means most patients take a low daily tablet indefinitely to maintain gains in hair fullness and prevent further thinning. Quitting usually allows DHT to gradually resume attacking your hair follicles again.

Consistency is key – track your hair health and quickly reinstate treatment fully if thinning rebounds.

Addressing common questions and concerns

What if you don’t see results?

If your hair loss appearance shows little difference after taking oral Finasteride tablets daily for over 6 months, consult our team or your own doctor to reassess treatment plans or adjust the dosage. Exploring complementary options, like adding Minoxidil foam, could provide an extra push if the hair is still shedding steadily.

Supportive treatment for hair loss, like red light therapy devices, may offer additional help when combined if hair follicles remain damaged.

Staying in contact with your doctor as changes unfold ensures the best ongoing solutions for your degree of genetic hair loss. Seeking their professional advice provides personalised guidance.

Stopping Finasteride: what comes next?

What happens if you quit using your once-daily tablet of Finasteride? When blocking DHT effects ends, hair loss often gradually restarts within 12 months. This is because the androgen hormone environment that stimulates follicles to shrink returns in full force.

Closely track your hair health when stopping. Take comparison photos every 4-6 weeks to determine if supplementing Finasteride tablets with over-the-counter hair-thickening shampoos or Minoxidil products alone suffices to maintain stability long-term. Resuming prescription dosage before major thinning occurs works best, though.

Take the next step with Oxford Online Pharmacy

If you feel ready to take action to fight your hair thinning, Oxford Online Pharmacy provides accessible, personalised guidance. Our supportive staff offer private, convenient consultations online to meet your needs.

Getting started with us is easy. All you need to do is fill out our medical consultation form and select your preferred hair loss treatment. Our staff will review your consultation and prescribe the treatment. And if it’s not suitable for your condition, we’ll get in touch through our confidential message centre with more questions.

Don’t watch hair wash down drains any longer without gaining empowering medical advice on scientifically backed solutions from Finasteride tablets to protective shampoos. Take control by getting in touch with our team. It’s that easy to start improving your hair outlook using safe, trusted treatments.

FAQs

Does Finasteride actually regrow hair?

Yes, clinical trials confirm that long-term daily Finasteride treatment can spark gradual regrowth of miniaturised hair follicles. However, dramatic, visible differences take over a year of consistent use for most men who can take Finasteride. First, focus on stabilising current hair health.

Is it worth it to take Finasteride?

For many patients, yes—halting the progression of hair loss even slightly can greatly boost self-confidence and youthful facial framing from a thicker head of hair. However, lifetime medication may not make sense based on your personal rate of shedding, risk factors for adverse effects from Finasteride, current age or intentions to add surgical hair transplants down the line. Thoughtfully discuss all factors and priorities with a healthcare professional.

Are you on Finasteride for life?

If you discontinue using Finasteride after it was previously maintaining your hair follicles and slowing pattern baldness advancement, expect hair loss from androgenic alopecia to recur within 6-9 months. Shedding and thinning then steadily resume their prior trajectory.

References:

• Patrick M. Zito; Karlyle G. Bistas; Kirin Syed (2022). Finasteride
• NHS (2023). Side effects of Finasteride
• Venkataram Mysore (2012). Finasteride and sexual side effects