Finasteride Results Timeline

How long will it take to see finasteride results?

Most people will first start to notice the results from finasteride after around three to four months of consistent use. You should notice that hairs are starting to regrow from follicles that may have stopped producing hair and that your hair is starting to appear thicker. After around 6 months of using finasteride, results should be noticeable to you, and to others.

Those experiencing male pattern baldness will find that hairs spend less time in the resting phase and shed easily. Finasteride works by reactivating hair follicles that are no longer producing hair, as well as allowing hairs to remain in the resting phase for longer, before shedding. It takes around six months before this will be clearly visible, allowing enough time for new hairs to grow and contribute to a fuller and thicker head of hair.

When should I expect to start seeing the first sign of results?

Finasteride starts to work straight away, but results may not be visible until month three or four. After the first month, you may notice that your hair is shedding. This is simply older hairs falling out mid cycle, preparing for newer and healthier strands of hair to grow. Results can take time and it is important to be persistent and take finasteride every day in order to see results. The first signs of progress are usually likely to be visible around the hairline and temple region. 

It takes one year to see final results

It usually takes around one year to see the final results from using finasteride. Most men will notice positive results after this timeframe. If finasteride has not worked for you after one year, it is unlikely to work at all. It is important to bear in mind that even if treatment has not helped you to regrow hair, it may have helped in preventing further hair loss. Stopping finasteride will cause DHT levels to raise, which will result in the natural balding process resuming.

How to improve finasteride results

You can improve and speed up finasteride results by:

1. Massaging your scalp daily

This helps to increase the blood circulation in the scalp, allowing hair follicles to receive more nutrients. Research has shown that massaging the scalp can help to promote hair growth.

2. Using minoxidil and finasteride together

Minoxidil (Regaine) is a vasodilator and works by widening blood vessels in the scalp, promoting a rich supply of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. This allows hair follicles to produce healthy strands of hair. Studies have shown that minoxidil helps to regrow hair and reduce hair loss in 84% of users.

3. Taking hair loss supplements

Hair loss supplements and vitamins work to promote hair growth. Vitamins that can help your hair to grow include biotin, iron, vitamin B and zinc. These supplements help to promote healthy hair growth and stop hair loss.

Ultimately, there is no way to actually speed of the results of finasteride itself, but implementing measures to improve the health of your hair will yield quicker results over a shorter period of time.

Do finasteride results last forever?

Finasteride results are not permanent, and treatment will only work if you take your tablets every day. Once you stop taking finasteride, you are likely to lose any of the hair you have gained or any positive results, within a few months of stopping treatment. Consequently, the normal balding process will resume.

Finasteride Results Timeline: What to expect

1-3 months

Within the first 3 months of using finasteride, you can expect to see hair shedding. This is normal and a sign that finasteride is working. The older hairs are shedding and making way for newer healthier strands of hair. These hairs will remain the resting phase for a longer period of time, eventually giving a fuller and thicker appearance to your hair.

3-6 months

Finasteride results after 6 months are usually more prominent and noticeable. It is within the 3-6 month period that you should start to notice bald patches filling up, and less hair falling out. There should be an overall improvement in the appearance of your hair.

6-9 months

After 9 months, your hair follicles have had plenty of time produce newer and healthier hair. Your hair should not be failing out at the rate it did before taking finasteride, and you should be starting to see some progress.

9 months – 1 year

After 1 year of using finasteride, there should be either a noticeable improvement in the appearance of your hair, or you should be losing hair at a slower rate than before. If you have not noticed an improvement after one year, it is unlikely that finasteride will work for you.

What you can expect to see after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.