Is Finasteride (Propecia) really going to help my hair grow?

Too many men follow their father’s footsteps and shave their heads before really checking their options, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, over here at rocky, we like to say goodbye to “Mr. Clean” and hello to “Mr. Rocky”. Finasteride is a very popular choice in the form of an oral tablet which has been proven to help with hair loss. 

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication that helps to  stop hair loss and improves hair density. Finasteride interacts with an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which ultimately prevents the breakdown of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by more than 70%. Since we know DHT contributes to hair loss by shrinking and shedding hair follicles, using Finasteride gives your hair follicles greater resistance to this breakdown process- giving you back that head of hair you keep looking back on from your 2015 instagram post.  

How long does Finasteride take to work?

Taking a daily dose of 1mg of Finasteride for a minimum of three months has proven to be effective in 90% of men; your hair will reach its full potential at the one year mark. It’s important to note that Finasteride will not create hair follicles; it treats existing follicles, so start early and continue the therapy for as long as recommended to see best results. Although the results are not immediately visible, the effect of Finasteride on DHT happens instantly. The hair regrowth cycle takes time so, in the meantime, just try to keep in mind that having a few more bad hair days is much better than an eventual no hair day. 

Will Finasteride stop further hair loss?

Research shows that 83% of men who used Finasteride did not experience any further hair loss over a period of two years of active use. In addition, Finasteride may also regrow hair based on research published in the American Journal of Dermatology that showed 16% improvement in hair growth over a period of two years. So in this case, you win some and don’t lose any. 

Can I use Finasteride with Minoxidil?

Finasteride and Minoxidil are perfectly safe to use simultaneously. When used in combination with Minoxidil, both medications work in harmony to prevent hair loss and promote hair regrowth providing you with a comprehensive approach to tackling hair loss. This is because each medicine contributes its own benefit in the fight against hair loss. Finasteride tackles the root cause of the problem and Minoxidil improves the health of your hair follicles allowing hair to regrow. 

Finasteride is available by prescription but Minoxidil can be purchased over the counter. Learn more about Minoxidil.

What side effects can I expect when using Finasteride?

Finasteride is clinically proven, safe and effective. We know that all medications have possible side effects, and Finasteride is no different. Possible side effects are rare, mild and typically temporary. Sexual dysfunction from taking Finasteride is rare, we’re talking about a one percent chance kind of rare, but speak to your doctor if you experience any changes in your libido or performance. More often than not, this specific side effect can be addressed by decreasing your dose and specific lifestyle modifications. 

We recommend speaking to your doctor if you have any concerns about taking Finasteride.

Sources:

1. Haber, R. , Gupta, A. , Epstein, E. , Carviel, J. and Foley, K. (2019), Finasteride for androgenetic alopecia is not associated with sexual dysfunction: a survey‐based, single‐centre, controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. doi:10.1111/jdv.15548
2. Hu R, Xu F, Sheng Y, Qi S, Han Y, Miao Y, Rui W, Yang Q. Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients. Dermatol Ther. 2015 Sep-Oct;28(5):303-8. doi: 10.1111/dth.12246. Epub 2015 Jun 2. PMID: 26031764.
3. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Sep 15;96(6):371-378. PMID: 28925637.
4. Zito PM, Bistas KG, Syed K. Finasteride. [Updated 2021 Mar 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/