Finasteride has been used to treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth for many years now. It’s a hugely successful treatment, with one study finding that 83% of men suffering from male pattern baldness stopped losing hair while taking Finasteride [1].
The bad news is that Finasteride shedding is common when you first start using this hair loss product. Many men see a small increase in hair loss within the first few weeks.
Fortunately, Finasteride hair shedding is a normal and expected part of the treatment process, even if it’s inconvenient.
So what causes Finasteride shedding — and when can you expect to see sustained results from using Finasteride? Here, learn all you need to know about Finasteride hair shedding, including:
Usually available under the brand name Propecia, Finasteride is a tablet that helps to treat hair loss in men with male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for genetic hair loss in men. Men have higher DHT levels than women, which is why hair loss is more common in men.
By inhibiting DHT production, Finasteride stops this hormone from interacting with androgen receptors in the hair follicles, reducing hair loss and stimulating regrowth in the medium to long term. However, in the short term, many men actually notice more hair loss than usual. This is known as Finasteride shedding.
Hair grows in cycles. The cycle starts with the growth phase (anagen), then transitions to a resting phase (catagen, followed by telogen). The final stage of the cycle is the shedding phase: exogen.
When you start using Finasteride, hair follicles in the resting or telogen phase skip ahead to the growth phase and begin to produce new hair. Studies show that after 48 weeks of use, Finasteride improved the ratio of hairs in the growth phase versus the shedding phase by 47% [2].
However, before new hair can grow, these resting hair follicles must shed any existing hair. By doing this, they make way for healthy new hair in your dormant follicles. But this means that for a short time, you may see a slight increase in hair loss when you start using Finasteride.
While Finasteride hair shedding isn’t ideal, it is normally a sign that the medication is working. So if you can put up with some additional shedding in the short term, you should see long-term hair growth gains.
Finasteride shedding usually lasts no more than 2-4 weeks. While the shedding stage is ongoing, it’s important to remember that you’re shedding hair to make way for new hair growth, so try not to be too concerned about your hair loss during this phase.
If you’re worried about your thinning hair, or the shedding has lasted much longer than a month, speak to your hair loss consultant for advice.
Learn more about how long it takes for Finasteride to work to see how shedding affects hair growth on Finasteride.
There’s no consensus on how much hair you can expect to shed when you start taking Finasteride — but rest assured that it’s normal to see a noticeable amount of hair shedding for up to four weeks within the first few months. Even people who don’t have any kind of clinical hair loss lose 50-100 hairs each day [3], so don’t worry if you see even more than this.
Different people will notice shedding at different stages of Finasteride use. Mostly it happens 2-3 months after you begin using the hair loss medication, though for some people Finasteride shedding can happen as early as 2 weeks after treatment.
Here’s when you can expect the Finasteride hair shedding phase to occur:
Unfortunately, most Finasteride users have to go through the Finasteride shedding phase. The only way to stop or slow this temporary shedding is to stop taking the drug. However, Finasteride isn’t a permanent solution to hair loss — if you stop taking it, DHT production will resume, and your natural hair loss will continue. Unlike Finasteride shedding, true hair loss isn’t temporary.
Shedding may make you worried about whether Finasteride is working for you. But Finasteride shedding is a normal part of the hair growth process when taking this medication and is actually a sign that the drug is working — so you shouldn’t try to prevent it.
The best thing to do is continue with your prescribed hair loss medication and speak to your trichologist about any concerns.
It usually takes a few months to see sustained, noticeable hair growth after starting Finasteride. Most men start to see results 6-8 months after treatment, with final results usually visible after around 12-18 months.
Temporary hair shedding isn’t the only possible side effect of Finasteride. A small number of users have reported sexual side effects, including decreased libido and Finasteride-related erectile dysfunction.
These side effects are rare, but if you’re concerned, speak to a qualified trichologist for more details.
While Finasteride is one of the best hair growth products for men, it isn’t right for everyone. It’s unsuitable for most women, and the potential side effects can deter some men from opting for this treatment.
However, there are plenty of alternatives to Finasteride available, including Minoxidil, laser hair loss treatment, and hair transplants.
Studies suggest that combining treatments such as Finasteride and Minoxidil can improve the chances of successful regrowth [5], so the best way to stimulate sustained hair growth is to get a personalised treatment plan.
When you’re anxious to see results, it can be tempting to constantly monitor your hair for signs of growth. But hair restoration is a slow process that needs time, care and patience.
However, there are some signs you can look for to see the effectiveness of your hair loss treatment. Learn more about how you can tell if your hair loss product is working.
If hair loss is getting you down and affecting your confidence, don’t suffer in silence. Our friendly, non-judgemental team is here to find a hair loss solution that works for you.
Our award-winning hair restoration clinics have helped thousands of individuals over the years get the treatment they need to restore their hair. With clinic locations around the UK, we can help you tackle your hair loss with an appropriate treatment plan tailored to you.
See what results you can expect in our hair transplant gallery, and when you’re ready to get started, book a consultation at your nearest clinic to speak to one of our hair loss specialists.
Learn more about Finasteride shedding in these frequently asked questions.
Finasteride use can lead to short-term temporary hair loss, as described above. But it shouldn’t cause long-term or permanent hair loss.
If you do not see the results you want after 3-6 months of using Finasteride, ask a trichologist for advice.
People experiencing Finasteride shedding often lose more hair than the average person, which can be in excess of 100 hairs per day. Remember that this is temporary, and the hair will grow back — possibly alongside hair you thought you’d lost for good.
If you’re concerned about the volume of hair you’re losing while taking Finasteride, it’s best to seek advice from a trichologist. A hair loss specialist can offer advice on alternatives to Finasteride and whether it’s worth persevering with this treatment based on your current rate of hair loss.
Combining Finasteride with other treatments can improve results and possibly minimise shedding. Complementary treatments for Finasteride include Minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and low-level laser therapy. Even a regular scalp massage can boost hair growth by promoting follicular blood flow.
You can also use Finasteride in conjunction with a hair transplant to trigger maximum regrowth while minimising further hair loss.
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