Starting to notice thinning around your temples or crown? Or spotting more hair than usual in the sink or shower? You might be experiencing male pattern baldness — something that affects around half of men by their fifties. If you’ve started looking into solutions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how many options are out there. The reality is, some approaches work far better than others. If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s what you need to know.
Finasteride and Minoxidil are two of the most widely used, clinically proven treatments for male pattern hair loss — and they tend to work best when used together.
Timing also plays a big role. Starting treatment earlier gives you a better chance of maintaining the hair you already have, rather than trying to recover what’s been lost.
So what should you expect once you start? Here’s a simple month-by-month breakdown of how treatment typically progresses.
Months 1–3
In the early stages, most of the changes are happening behind the scenes.
Finasteride gets to work straight away by reducing levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone most responsible for male pattern hair loss. For some men, hair follicles are particularly sensitive to DHT, which causes them to shrink over time — producing thinner, weaker hairs before eventually stopping growth altogether. By lowering DHT, Finasteride helps slow or stop this process.
Minoxidil, on the other hand, can feel a bit more noticeable at the start. It’s common to experience increased shedding in the first few weeks. While that can be unsettling, it’s usually a sign that the treatment is doing something. As older hairs are pushed out, new ones can begin to grow in their place. This shedding phase typically settles within a couple of months with consistent use.
At this point, visible changes are still unlikely. Hair grows slowly — so it’s important not to judge progress too early. This is often where people lose patience, but sticking with it really matters.
Months 3–6
This is where you might start to notice things shifting.
Many men report less hair falling out day-to-day — whether that’s in the shower, on your pillow, or when styling your hair. This can be a good sign that the treatments are helping to stabilise hair loss.
You might also begin to see subtle improvements, particularly in areas like the temples or crown. These changes can be gradual, so they’re easy to miss — but they’re a step in the right direction.
Months 6–12
By this stage, results tend to become more noticeable.
With consistent use, many men see visible improvements in density, thickness, or overall appearance. For others, the biggest win is simply maintaining what they had — preventing further loss is still a strong outcome.
If your routine has been inconsistent, progress may feel slower. But getting back into a steady habit can still help you move in the right direction over time.
Long-term
Hair loss treatment isn’t a quick fix — it’s something you stay consistent with if you want to maintain results.
Both Finasteride and Minoxidil work as long as you keep using them. Stopping treatment usually means any progress is gradually lost as your hair returns to its natural cycle.
It’s also worth remembering that everyone responds differently. Some people see changes sooner, others take a bit longer. A good rule of thumb is to give treatment at least six months before making a call on how it’s working for you.
If you’re thinking about starting, the most important thing is giving yourself the time — and consistency — to see what your treatment can really do.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
