Finasteride for Hair Loss

Finasteride for Hair Loss

Finasteride for hair loss and thinning is a common method favored by many dermatologists and hair transplant specialists. But what does it do? Finasteride is FDA-approved medicine that is used to treat hair loss related to AGA. It increases the growth of hair on the scalp. It is in a class of drugs called 5α-reductase inhibitors. 

 

When you read this article from the beginning, you are going to learn:

 

  • How finasteride is used for hair loss treatment
  • Properties and potency of the drug
  • Whether you are a suitable candidate for this medicine
  • Side effects
  • Differences from other treatment options
  • Before and after processes of patients who received finasteride treatment
How to use Finasteride for hair loss

Does finasteride work for hair loss?

 

Looking at the long-term effects of finasteride, studies have shown that 48% of men had improved hair appearance after 5 years of use, while the rest had no change. They also showed that around 90% of men could benefit from taking finasteride in terms of the appearance of their hair grafts. 

 

Its working mechanism seems to thicken hairs and support hair growth:

 

  • It reverses thinning: Small and fine miniaturized hairs become thicker and denser.
  • It increases the number of anagen hair follicles: In your hair growth cycle, hair stays in the anagen (growth) phase longer. In this way, it reduces the duration of the exogen phase.

 

It’s crucial to balance both pros and cons against some possible outcomes. That’s why we suggest you consult a professional regarding whether this medicine works for your expectations. Drop your phone number with the Imperium Clinic, and we’ll connect with you ASAP!

Is oral or topical finasteride better?

 

Both types of finasteride have strengths and weaknesses. 

Oral Finasteride: Effective but risky

  • Benefits: 
    • Its effectiveness for hair regrowth has been proven.
    • It is quite practical to take as a daily pill.
  • Downsides: 
    • It has some risk of adverse reactions (e.g. loss of libido, erectile dysfunction).
    • It can only be taken on prescription.

Topical Finasteride: Fewer side effects but less potent 

  • Benefits:
    • It is less risky because it is applied directly to your scalp. This allows specialists to control how much of the substance enters the blood vessels.
    • It has been proven to reduce the levels of DHT to stop hair loss and to stimulate the hair follicles.
  • Downsides:
    • It may cause irritation that appears as redness.
    • It may be less effective but more expensive compared to oral finasteride.
Dosage of finasteride for hair loss

What should be the dosage of finasteride for hair loss?

The dosage of finasteride for hair loss is 1 mg per day. This is the ideal dosage for treating androgenetic alopecia together with other forms of alopecia. This amount is effective in promoting hair growth as well as preventing further loss. However, the main drawback of finasteride is that if you stop taking it, your hair loss will start again.

How long does finasteride take to work?

 

It takes about 3 to 6 months to see some results in your hair strands. They may grow faster, thicker and fuller. In some cases, it may take up to a year to see full benefits, especially for those in the advanced stages of the Norwood scale. If you are completely bald or have severe thinning and hair shedding problems, be patient for at least a year. 

 

Please note that consistent daily use is extremely essential with finasteride. It’s recommended that you continue treatment for at least a couple of years to assess its effectiveness. 

 

Are you eligible for finasteride?

 

Before taking finasteride for hair loss, make sure you don’t have any of these conditions:

  • breastfeeding
  • liver disease
  • an allergic reaction to finasteride or other medicines, dyes, foods, etc.
  • pregnancy or trying to get pregnant
Finasteride side effects

Finasteride Side Effects

Finasteride is usually used by men to treat frontal male pattern hair loss. They often prefer to take it by mouth as tablets. Its common side effects occur in more than 1 in 100 people. 

Here are the most common side effects:

  • Side-effects on sex, including problems getting erect together with less interest in having sex, and problems ejaculating, like little or none at all.
  • It reduces DHT levels, causing hormonal changes. These can lead to gynaecomastia (breast enlargement) and tenderness. 
  • Especially topical finasteride may cause scalp irritation, dryness and flakiness on the skin. 
  • Allergic reactions and swelling may occur with either type of finasteride.
  • Oral finasteride may affect prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which may lead to a risk in prostate cancer screening

 

Finasteride Side Effects in Women

Women may also want to take finasteride to treat female pattern hair loss. However, the side effects of finasteride may be different in women. 

Here are the side effects that some female patients reported while taking finasteride:

  • Low libido
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Emotional fluctuations
  • Increased body hair growth
  • Inflammation or infection of the hair follicles
  • Acne, seborrhoea or dandruff due to the dryness of the skin.

Studies have shown that adverse effects such as headaches and decreased libido are common initially in premenopausal women with patterned hair loss. However, these often diminish over time. In conclusion, finasteride has been found to be safe with regular monitoring, but long-term effects need to be studied further. 

Are finasteride side effects permanent?

For some, yes. Some serious adverse effects such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and depression may persist after you stop taking it. These usually appear after taking finasteride for hair loss in a few months. 

What is the difference between finasteride and minoxidil?

 

These two medications are popular alternatives to hair transplant surgery. Although their effectiveness is neither long lasting nor permanent as hair transplantation, many people with baldness prefer them as a last resort. Let’s compare their effectiveness in treating baldness, which is most common on the crown, hairline and frontal region. 

Minoxidil for hair loss treatment:

 

  • Available as topical solution and foams. 
  • Increases the flow of blood to the scalp and hair follicles
  • Helps promote hair follicle growth
  • Can make existing hair shafts fuller and thicker 

Finasteride for hair loss therapy:

 

  • Usually taken orally as a 1mg tablet daily.
  • Blocks the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, thereby reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
  • Helps to prevent future hair loss.
  • Useful in halting the progression of male pattern baldness.

Finasteride Before and After Results

 

Finasteride for hair loss can start to show results in a few months. However, you will need to take it daily for about a year to see the real results. Below you can see the before-after photos of Finasteride for hair loss. These photos have been prepared by Imperium Clinic to show the real results of Finasteride on real patients with bald spots. 

FAQs About Finasteride for Hair Loss

Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a condition that indicates persistent adverse effects experienced by patients taking finasteride to treat hair loss. These effects may encompass:

  • Neurological effects such as; optic neuropathy, severe memory impairment, depression, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Sexual disorders: Erectile dysfunction, loss of morning and spontaneous erections, diminished pleasure from orgasms (sexual anhedonia)
  • Permanent physical and mental damage: muscle-related problems including myalgia, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and creatine kinase elevation because of muscle breakdown. Moreover, dry and thinning skin with melasma may occur.

No, some scientific research states that finasteride significantly reduces DHT so it can lead to a slight increase in testosterone levels of about 15 to 25%. 

Yes, women can also take finasteride to treat female pattern baldness, alopecia, telogen effluvium, postpartum hair loss, vitamin deficiency related hair loss, stress-induced hair shedding, etc. 

Not exactly. Based on the results of 8 studies, finasteride lowers the risk of overall prostate cancer (OR 0.70) but increases the risk of high-grade prostate cancer (OR 2.10). This indicates a protective effect against prostate cancer in general, but a higher risk of developing aggressive forms of the disease.

Even though it does not directly cause acne, it may have consequences due to skin irritation. Do not use it without consulting your dermatologist, especially if you have a skin condition. 

You are under no obligation to take these pills. To stop the loss of your existing hair due to male pattern baldness after hair transplantation, it may be preferred along with hair transplant treatment. 

References

  1. Gupta, A. K., Venkataraman, M., Talukder, M., & Bamimore, M. A. (2021). Finasteride for hair loss: a review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 33(4), 1938–1946. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2021.1959506
  2. McClellan KJ, Markham A. Finasteride. Drugs. 1999;57(1):111-126. doi:https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199957010-00014 
  3. ‌Leyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1999;40(6 Pt 1):930-937. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(99)70081-2 
  4. ‌Gupta AK, Talukder M. Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(5):1841-1848. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14895 
  5. Oliveira-Soares, R., André, M. C., & Peres-Correia, M. (2018). Adverse Effects with Finasteride 5 mg/day for Patterned Hair Loss in Premenopausal Women. International journal of trichology, 10(1), 48–50. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_73_15