How Long It Takes to Work Finasteride for Hair Loss

Finasteride is the most effective licensed treatment available when it comes to fighting hair loss and is effective in over 90% of people who take it to stop hair loss.

Results of treatment though do take time, and it is important to be patient. Results tend only to be visible over time with consistent usage. Here’s how long you can expect the treatment to take and what the effects will be as you continue.

The first few days

DHT is a hormone that plays a big part in male pattern baldness and causes a process called miniaturisation, with follicles producing hairs that become increasingly paler, thinner, and less robust over time until eventually, the hair follicle dies out completely. A large presence of the hormone on our scalp, coupled with a genetic susceptibility to male pattern hair loss,  can result in hair loss. Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Less DHT means your hair follicles can produce thicker, healthier hair again, allowing your hair to realise its full growth potential again. However, this process takes time, so it’s important to be patient, it will be a few months at least before you notice any benefits. 

Within a few months

It is at around 3 months when the effects of the medication start to kick in, however, it may take even longer for this to be noticeable on your scalp, although some people can see some benefits from this stage. The most noticeable early sign is a reduction in hair being lost – often this is noticed by a reduced amount of shedding hair visible on the pillow or when showering. While hair regrowth isn’t guaranteed with Finasteride, it does make it more likely that your hair will thicken. 

Continued use should mean your hair loss will have ceased altogether and your hair will look better and more voluminous as a result. Consistency is key and it is important not to miss too many days of treatment as it can reduce the efficacy of treatment and make you less likely to achieve optimal results. 

At the six-month mark

At this stage, the effects of the treatment should become more noticeable. There is still some work to be done but you will hopefully be encouraged by how much better your hair begins to look already. Keep an eye on your crown and temples where the most significant changes are likely to be seen.

Now that you’re seeing the results appear, it’s important to continue with your treatment so that you can see even further progress and maintain the results you have achieved so far. The research behind the treatment proves this is the most effective way forward.

One year of treatment

One year is when you should notice the complete effects of the treatment and reap the full rewards of your dedicated commitment. Your hair should now be in a much better condition than it was beforehand, being thicker with hair loss hopefully being halted altogether. Results can continue to improve into year two before reaching a plateau often at the 2 year mark. 

Stopping the medication now means that hair loss is likely to reoccur and the DHT hormone will no longer be blocked from your scalp, leading to the resumption of hair loss. 

All of our blog articles are reviewed for medical accuracy by our Medical Director before publication.

Posted in: All, Finasteride, Hair loss