Explained: Does Finasteride grow hair back?

Explained: Does Finasteride grow hair back? 

If you’re experiencing male pattern hair loss, the chances are that you’ve heard of Finasteride. It is widely regarded as the number one hair loss treatment for men - but does Finasteride grow back hair? Here, we answer this question and explain why the best course of hair loss treatment for men is a combination of Finasteride and Minoxidil. 

So, does Finasteride grow hair back? 

Finasteride is one of only two medications that has been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss, alongside Minoxidil. In a clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers discovered that men who used Finasteride as a treatment for male pattern hair loss experienced significant improvements in their average hair count over a two-year period. Specifically, the average hair count per square inch of balding scalp was 876 at the start of the study, but it increased to an average of 1,014 after two years of treatment - an increase of around 16%.

A ten-year study from Japan also highlights the efficacy of Finasteride as a treatment for male pattern hair loss. In fact, the study found that 99% of men with male pattern baldness did not experience any worsening of their hair loss throughout the study period, noting that Finasteride seemed to pause their hair loss. What’s more, 91.5% of men in the study actually saw improvements in their hair while using the medication. 

So, while there are no guarantees that Finasteride can grow hair back in all men, it does usually prevent hair loss and may even result in regrowth in some men. But how does Finasteride work? Let’s take a closer look. 

How does Finasteride work? 

Taken orally in tablet form, Finasteride works to prevent dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from binding to the receptors on your hair follicles. When left unchecked, DHT can lead to a process known as miniaturisation, which ultimately causes your hair follicles to shrivel and die. As male pattern hair loss is predominantly caused by genes, it’s not possible to cure such hair loss. Therefore, Finasteride is only effective for as long as you take it, and it’s safe to use in the long term. 

While Finasteride works well on its own, you can improve the health of your hair by combining it with Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the areas of your scalp affected by male pattern hair loss, stimulating regrowth by providing your follicles with the nutrients they need to thrive. Our Topical Spray combines Finasteride and Minoxidil and is a great option for men who want a hair loss solution that is easy to apply. Alternatively, our Full Works treatment plan combines Finasteride and Minoxidil with Biotin and DHT-blocking shampoo, which further improve the health of your hair. 

Recap: Does Finasteride grow back hair?

The bottom line is that Finasteride may grow back hair in some men, typically in about 60% of those who use it. But its primary job is to block DHT from binding to your hair follicles, which is the primary cause of male pattern hair loss with the main goal being to reduce further hair loss. It’s best to use Finasteride in conjunction with Minoxidil, as the two have been shown to produce excellent results when used together  to combat hair loss and even regrowing hair follicles. 

Be sure to check out our range of clinically proven treatments to find the ideal solution to treat male pattern hair loss today.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.