How Finasteride Treats Hair Loss

How Finasteride Treats Hair Loss

Table of Contents

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I. What is Finasteride?

II. What is Male Pattern Baldness?

III. How Does Finasteride Treat Hair Loss?

IV. How Effective is Finasteride?

V. Hair Regrowth Timeline with Finasteride

VI. Long-Term Use of Finasteride

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If you're looking in the mirror and noticing your hairline creeping back or your scalp becoming more visible, you're not alone. Male pattern baldness affects up to 50% of men by age 50. ¹ But the good news is that hair loss treatments like finasteride can put a stop to thinning hair and even regrow what you've lost.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at finasteride and how it works to stop hair loss in men. We'll also review clinical trials that demonstrate its effectiveness and long-term use. 

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride was FDA-approved back in 1992, and it’s still one of the most effective hair loss treatments available today. This once-daily tablet tackles male hair loss at its hormonal source by blocking the production of DHT, a testosterone byproduct that gradually shrinks and weakens hair follicles. ²

Within three months of starting finasteride, most men tend to notice hair regrowth and a decrease in hair loss. However, finasteride only works with daily use. If you stop taking finasteride, your hair follicles will once again become vulnerable to the damaging effects of DHT. Any hair you were able to regrow, or preserve, will start to thin out and shed again within 12 months. ²

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, affects up to half of all men by age 50. This type of hair loss starts at the temples and hairline before progressing across the crown and mid-scalp. ¹

There are several factors that can contribute to male pattern baldness:

• DHT: A hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to receptors in your hair follicles, causing the follicles to shrink over time. As the follicles get smaller, they produce less and less hair. All men produce DHT, but some men's hair follicles are more sensitive to its effects. Your genetics play a role in how much DHT you produce and how sensitive you are to DHT.

• Age: While DHT levels tend to decrease as you age, hair loss still tends to worsen over time. This is because male pattern baldness is a progressive condition that causes increasing hair loss if left untreated. ³

It’s important to start treatment before excessive hair loss occurs. Acting early on male pattern baldness can help you preserve the hair you have. ¹

How Does Finasteride Treat Hair Loss?

Finasteride targets the root cause of male pattern baldness. Specifically, finasteride inhibits an enzyme called Type II 5a-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By blocking Type II 5a-reductase, finasteride reduces DHT levels throughout the body, including in the scalp. ²

During early development and puberty, DHT is essential for the maturation of male characteristics. However, later in life, DHT can lead to thinning hair and gradual hair loss in men who are genetically predisposed. For these individuals, hair follicles in balding areas of the scalp have been weakened over time by long-term exposure to DHT. The scalp tissue in balding spots also tends to contain higher levels of DHT compared to hair-covered areas. ²

How Effective is Finasteride?

Finasteride has been shown to be an effective treatment for hair loss in several clinical studies. One notable trial, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, followed men who took 1 milligram of finasteride daily for two years. ⁴

At the start of the two-year study, participants had an average of only 876 hairs per square inch of scalp. ⁴ But after taking 1mg of finasteride daily, they experienced noticeable improvements in hair density:

• After 1 year: Participants had grown 107 more hairs per square inch
• After 2 years: Participants gained 138 more hairs per square inch ⁴

In addition to an increased hair density, participants also experienced:

• Slowed hair loss
• Increased hair growth
• Improved hair appearance ⁴

The researchers confirmed these effects through clinical assessments and photographs taken over the course of the study. ⁴

Hair Regrowth Timeline with Finasteride

Finasteride is a proven hair loss treatment, but it takes time to see the full benefits. When you first start taking the medication, it begins working right away to block DHT. ² However, don't expect a thick, full head of hair after just a few weeks. Growing new hair is a gradual process.

According to the FDA, you can expect to see some new hair growth after using finasteride daily for three months. However, more pronounced results happen after longer-term use. ²

In a two-year study, participants took 1 mg of finasteride every day. ⁵ Researchers found that hair count improved over time:

• Year 1: Participants experienced a 14% increase in hair count
• Year 2: Hair count increased by 16% ⁵

Not only did participants experience new hair growth, but they were also losing less hair. By the end of the study, only 17% of the finasteride group was still losing hair, compared to 72% of those taking a placebo. ⁵

The takeaway is to be patient and stay consistent with your finasteride treatment. The longer you use it consistently, the thicker and fuller your hair will become. To maintain the benefits, you need to keep taking the medication. If you stop finasteride after regrowing hair, it will fall out again within 12 months. ²

Long-Term Use of Finasteride

Finasteride is meant to be a long-term hair loss treatment. Finasteride works by blocking the hormone DHT, which contributes to male pattern baldness. But if you stop taking finasteride, any hair regrowth can be reversed within 12 months as DHT levels rise again. ²

The good news is that research has shown finasteride remains effective and safe over the long haul. In a 5-year study, 1,215 men took either finasteride 1mg daily or a placebo. ⁶ By the end of the study, researchers found:

• Men taking finasteride experienced improvements in scalp hair over the five years. On the other hand, the placebo group experienced progressive hair loss over the same period.

• No new safety issues or side effects arose with long-term finasteride use. ⁶

The researchers concluded that finasteride delivers lasting hair regrowth safely over an extended period. ⁶

Conclusion

If you've been struggling with thinning hair or a receding hairline, finasteride may be worth discussing with your doctor.

While finasteride isn't for everyone and results can vary, for many men, it has proven to be a safe and effective way to regain a full, healthy head of hair and confidence in their appearance. Though the causes of hair loss are complex, finasteride tackles what is often the primary driver for men: excess DHT. By limiting this hormone, finasteride can help create an ideal environment for hair to thrive.