How long does finasteride really take to work?

Male pattern baldness is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors and will affect many males at some stage in their lives. 

For some, losing hair is not a big concern but for others, the loss of hair has a significant impact on confidence. For those who are not ready to lose their hair, there are some medications that can help to slow down hair loss. Finasteride is one such medicine.

How Finasteride Works

Male pattern baldness is incredibly common and affects millions of men around the globe. However, that doesn’t make it easier for some men to cope. Hair loss arises as a result of genetic susceptibility to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 

“DHT stops your hair follicles from absorbing nutrients”

This makes the follicles shrink, which means that the hair they produce is thinner. Continued shrinking means continued thinning until the follicle is too weak to grow any hair. This is why people with male pattern baldness may notice a change in the coarseness and texture of their hair before they notice thinning or bald patches. Finasteride 1mg is the same active ingredient found in Propecia tablets.  

“Finasteride works by stopping the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT”

With less DHT produced, the follicles are able to continue to absorb nutrients and can remain strong and healthy for longer.

How long does Finasteride take to work?

When it comes to treating hair loss, the biggest concern for most men will be how long does finasteride take to work. As will any medication there is no hard and fast answer; everybody is different. 

For most men, finasteride will start working after 3-6 months of use every day. However, hair loss treatment is more effective when used over a longer period of time; the best results were seen after 1-2 years of regular use of finasteride 1mg.

Does Finasteride work for everyone?

Different drugs work for different people, and although most people enjoy some success in slowing, halting or even reversing male pattern hair loss, it does not necessarily work for everyone. If finasteride is taken consistently for more than two years, most men (over 80%) can expect to see their hair loss stop. Around two-thirds of men who take finasteride will notice that their baldness has reversed as they see some regrowth.

Long-Term Results From Finasteride

Like many drugs that take longer to work, there are long-term results from finasteride usage if it is taken consistently. Men who take finasteride over five or more years will see a reduction or stop in hair loss compared to men who don’t take any hair loss medication.

How to get the best Finasteride results

You can’t make finasteride work more effectively by increasing your dosage. It took some time for DHT to weaken your follicles, so it will take time for them to strengthen, too. 

The best way to achieve great results from using finasteride is to use it consistently over a prolonged period of time. While it can be frustrating not seeing dramatic changes, it will take time and patience is generally rewarded. 

Another thing that you can do to get the best results from finasteride is to combine the drug with a routine of using anti hair-loss shampoo. Oxford Online Pharmacy has a range of different hair loss products, both medicines and topical solutions which, when used together, can get the best results. In some instances, we offer recommended bundles which will give you the best chance of getting results.

Alternative Treatments to Finasteride

Finding the right treatment to suit your needs can sometimes be a case of trial and error. This can be frustrating when treatment requires long-term usage before results can be seen. As such, you and your prescriber must take the time to assess the treatment options available before deciding the most appropriate one. 

If you would like to know more about the alternative treatments to finasteride – both prescription and over-the-counter, get in touch. We will take your medical history and assess your current situation in order to advise you of the best course of action in terms of the likelihood of success, as well as finding you the most cost-effective solution. 

References 

• NHS - Causes of Hair Loss
• Healthline - causes male pattern baldness
• Patient.info - 50% of Men experiencing over the age of 50
• Use of Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia