Understanding Finasteride: Results Timeline and How Long It Takes to Work

Table of Contents

• How Long Does Finasteride Take to Work?
• When Should I Expect to Start Seeing the First Sign of Results?
• When Do You See Final Improvements From Finasteride?
• What Happens If I Stop Taking Finasteride?
• How to Improve Finasteride Results
• Do Results From Finasteride Last Forever?
• Finasteride Results Timeline
• What To Expect After 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months and 1 Year
• Potential Side Effects of Finasteride
• Key Takeaways

How Long Does Finasteride Take to Work?

Most people will first start to notice the results from oral finasteride after around three to four months of consistent use. You should notice that hairs are starting to regrow from follicles that may have stopped producing hair previously. You should also start to notice an increase in hair thickness with continued use. After around 6 months of using finasteride, results should be noticeable to you, and to others.

Those experiencing male pattern baldness will find that hairs spend less time in the resting phase and shed easily. Finasteride works by reactivating hair follicles that are no longer producing hair, as well as allowing hairs to remain in the resting phase for longer, before shedding. It takes around six months before this will be clearly visible, allowing enough time for new hairs to grow and contribute to a fuller and thicker head of hair.

When Should I Expect to Start Seeing the First Sign of Results?

Finasteride starts to work straight away, but improvements in hair loss may not be visible until month three or four. After the first month, you may notice that your hair is shedding. This is simply older hairs falling out mid cycle, preparing for newer and healthier strands of hair to grow. Results can take time and it is important to be persistent with treatment in order to see results. The first signs of progress are usually likely to be visible around the hairline and temple region. 

When Do You See Final Improvements From Finasteride?

With continued regular use of finasteride tablets, it typically takes around one year to see the final results and noticeable hair regrowth. Most men will notice positive results after this timeframe. If after one year of finasteride use you haven't noticed improvements, it is unlikely to work at all. It is important to bear in mind that even if treatment has not helped you to regrow hair, it may have helped in preventing further hair loss or slowing the rate of hair loss overall.

What Happens If I Stop Taking Finasteride?

Stopping finasteride will cause DHT levels to raise, which will result in the natural balding process resuming. It is important to note that finasteride does not permanently reverse hair loss. It has a half-life of about five to six hours, so as soon as you stop treatment, your body may start producing DHT again. For best results, it is important to continue taking finasteride daily as instructed by your healthcare provider.

How to Improve Finasteride Results

You can improve and speed up finasteride results by:

Take Finasteride Every Day

To see the best results, Finasteride 1mg should be taken once a day, preferably around the same time each day. Skipping a dose or stopping treatment may impact it's effectiveness and reverse changes to your hair thickness or hairline.

Massage Your Scalp Daily

This helps to increase the blood circulation in the scalp, allowing hair follicles to receive more nutrients. Research has shown that massaging the scalp can help to promote hair growth.

Use Finasteride and Minoxidil Together

Minoxidil (Regaine) is a vasodilator and works by widening blood vessels in the scalp, promoting a rich supply of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. This allows hair follicles to produce healthy strands of hair. Studies have shown that minoxidil helps to regrow hair and reduce hair loss in 84% of users.

Take Hair Loss Supplements

Hair loss supplements and vitamins work to promote hair growth and stop hair loss. Vitamins that can help your hair to grow include biotin, iron, vitamin B and zinc.

Ultimately, there is no way to actually speed of the results of finasteride itself, but implementing measures to improve the health of your hair will yield quicker results over a shorter period of time.

Do Results From Finasteride Last Forever?

Finasteride results are not permanent, and treatment will only work if you take your tablets every day. Once you stop taking finasteride, you are likely to lose any of the hair you have gained or any positive results, within a few months of stopping treatment. Consequently, the normal balding process will resume. With continued use, many men experience a reduction in hair loss and improved hair growth.

Finasteride Results Timeline

1 to 3 Months - Finasteride Starts to Work

Within the first 3 months of finasteride treatment, you can expect to see hair shedding. This is normal and a sign that finasteride is working. The older hairs are shedding and making way for newer healthier strands of hair. These hairs will remain in the resting phase for a longer period of time, eventually giving a fuller and thicker appearance to your hair.

3 to 6 Months - Initial Results

Finasteride results after 6 months are usually more prominent and noticeable. It is within the 3-6 month period that you should start to notice bald patches filling up, and less hair falling out. There should be an overall improvement in the appearance of your hair count.

6 to 9 Months - The Rate of Hair Loss Should Be Slowed

After 9 months, your hair follicles have had plenty of time produce newer and healthier hair. Your hair should not be failing out at the rate it did before taking finasteride, and you should be starting to see some progress.

9 Months to 1 Year - Noticeable Results

After 1 year of using finasteride, there should be either a noticeable improvement in the appearance of your hair, or you should be losing hair at a slower rate than before. If you have not noticed an improvement after one year, it is unlikely that finasteride will work for you.

What To Expect After 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months and 1 Year

Potential Side Effects of Finasteride

Like most medications, finasteride can cause some side effects. The following side effects are classified as 'common', meaning around 1%-10% of users may experience them:

• Sexual side effects including decreased libido, difficulty getting an erection or decreased production of semen
• Depression

In most cases, stopping treatment will reverse side effects. This is because finasteride has a short half-life and leaves the body quickly. So after around 7 days of stopping treatment, you should notice that any unwanted effects disappear.

It is rare for finasteride to cause an allergic reaction. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention urgently:

• Swelling
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing trouble
• Dizziness

Any changes in the breasts such as increased size, lumps, pain, or nipple discharge should also be reported to a health care professional.

Key Takeaways

Ultimately, how long finasteride takes to work varies by individual. Most men with pattern hair loss will typically see improvements over a period of 3 to 6 months, with continuous use encouraging hair regrowth and thickness. However, it is important for users to have realistic expectations and patience with treatment, as the full benefits of finasteride might take up to one year or more to be fully noticeable. Potential side effects, although rare, should also be considered and discussed with a healthcare provider before starting treatment. If you find that finasteride does not agree with you, there are alternative hair loss treatments available which can help to slow the progression of hair loss whilst promoting healthy hair growth. You can start a free online consultation with Chemist Click for further support. Our qualified pharmacists use a tailored approach to determine the best hair loss treatment according to individual circumstances and needs.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.