Does Finasteride work to treat hair loss?

Finasteride was initially discovered in the 1980s to be trialled for enlarged prostates. During the trials, medical professionals noted that the medication was increasing the hair growth of their participants. The medication was eventually license approved and was marketed as Propecia. Once the patent expired on the marketing license for Propecia, many drug companies could market generic versions. It was from this that Finasteride was born.

Key Takeaways

How Finasteride works:

Finasteride prevents hair loss by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT, which is a key factor in male pattern baldness. This helps stop hair loss and can promote hair regrowth in areas previously affected.

Effectiveness and timeline:

Finasteride is widely supported by scientific research as an effective treatment for hair loss. It takes around 3 months to see initial results, and consistent use for up to 12 months is recommended for full effect.

Long-term use and safety:

Finasteride is safe for long-term use, with studies showing it can improve hair growth and prevent further loss over time. It's taken as a daily tablet and should not be crushed, particularly to avoid risks to pregnant women.

But how does it work?

Finasteride is very simple in that it works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is thought to cause hair follicles to miniaturise, which contributes to male pattern baldness. By stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT, this allows hair to regrow from the follicles that were previously affected as a result of DHT, as well as preventing further hair loss from happening. How much DHT you produce is different in every man – genetics play a huge part in your likelihood of going bald. Some men will have a relatively full head of hair for the majority of their lives whereas some young men can begin to experience hair loss at a much earlier age than expected.

Does Finasteride work?

Finasteride is very heavily backed up by scientific research which concludes that is it the most effective hair loss treatment for men (Patrick et al, 2024; Gupta et al, 2022; Shapiro & Kaufman, 2003). However, as with all medication, it is important to know that what works for one person, may not for the other. For men who are now completely bald, suffer from a hair loss condition such as alopecia or those who have very little hair left on their heads, Finasteride may not be appropriate.

How long does Finasteride take to work?

Although it does start working on your scalp straight after application, it will be around 3 months before you do start to see any clear effects. In fact, some men do experience a sudden surge of their hair falling out at a faster rate. This is a positive sign of the medication working so do not panic. The current hairs are simply making room for the new, stronger hairs to take their place. The key with Finasteride is consistency. You should not take a break during treatment and it’s best to do a comparison from before taking the medication to a year into taking it. If after 12 months, you are yet to see any signs of improvement, then it is recommended that you visit your GP to discuss this.

Can I take Finasteride forever?

Finasteride is safe for long term usage. A study from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial concluded that “there is little need to worry about long-term consequence of finasteride use in those who use it for hair growth”.  Another study, which studied participants for 5 years, showed that “Finasteride 1mg daily over 5 years was well tolerated, led to durable improvements in scalp hair growth, and slowed the further progression of hair loss that occurred without treatment”. 

How do I take Finasteride?

Finasteride should be taken via one tablet, daily. It’s extremely important that you do not try to crush or break your tablet, as it must be taken whole with water. If crushed, it can be absorbed into your skin. This can potentially cause birth defects if a pregnant woman were to come into contact with you.

There is no perfect time to take Finasteride tablets – empty stomach, during a meal, straight after a meal, etc. It does not change the effectiveness of the medication. It is recommended however to take them at the same time, every day. This will enable you to get into a routine and naturally remember to take the medication.