If you’ve started researching solutions to male pattern hair loss, the chances are that you’ve come across Finasteride. Taken in tablet form, Finasteride has been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss, and it forms the bedrock of several of our treatment plans.
What is Finasteride
Finasteride is a clinically-proven medication that is used to treat androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern hair loss. The medication is usually taken in tablet form, and when used as a hair loss treatment, it’s typically prescribed at a dose of 1mg per day. There are only two medications that have been approved to treat male pattern hair loss - Finasteride and Minoxidil. While they both work in isolation, research shows that they’re much more effective when taken in tandem to treat male pattern hair loss.
How Finasteride works
Finasteride belongs to a group of medications known as 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. Its primary role is to block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT - the hormone that is predominantly responsible for male pattern hair loss.
When left untreated, DHT binds to the hair follicles on your head, causing them to shrivel and eventually die. While DHT actually contributes to the growth of hair in other parts of your body, its prevalence on your scalp leads to hair loss. When taken daily over a significant period of time, Finasteride blocks the production of DHT, reducing the process of miniaturisation that follows, and allowing your hair to achieve its full growth potential again.
Does Finasteride work 100% of the time?
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings found that Finasteride works for 90% of men. Specifically, men with male pattern hair loss who participated in the study either maintained their hair or saw improvements in hair growth. This is backed up by a Japanese study that looked at the efficacy of Finasteride over a ten year period.
Again, it found that in excess of 90% of men who used Finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss saw improvements in the hair on their scalp. So, while it’s impossible to say that any medication works 100% of the time, Finasteride is the best solution if you’re hoping to treat hair loss.
How to improve your hair loss treatment results
If you’re taking Finasteride to treat hair loss, the chances are that it will work for you. However, there are certain steps you can take to improve your chances of success. First and foremost, make sure you take the medication every day and don’t skip treatments.
You might also consider taking Finasteride alongside Minoxidil, as the two are proven to work really well when used in tandem. After Finasteride blocks the production of DHT, Minoxidil stimulates the flow of oxygen to your scalp, which provides your hair with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
You can experience the benefits of Finasteride and Minoxidil in our Full Works treatment plan, which is our most comprehensive solution to male pattern hair loss.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
