Finasteride does not only help prevent hair loss. There are instances when it can actually reverse the condition. If you are curious to know whether it would make a difference in receding hairlines, for most men, the answer is yes. Conditions like these are what finasteride is most ideal for.
While not everybody responds to Finasteride positively, many men do. A study conducted over a 2-year period showed that 48% of the men that have been taking the medication for a year have seen improvement. Meanwhile, 66% of the men showed positive results after taking the medication for 2 years. Meanwhile, 7% of the placebo group showed improvements. The result was based on new hair growth or hair regrowth in areas that were balding.
When it comes to maintaining hair that’s falling out at present, Finasteride does an even better job. From the same study, 83% of users ended up no longer losing any hair while the placebo group only got 28%.
Understanding how Finasteride works
The body converts testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is known to cause hair growth all over the body however, its effect is the opposite on the scalp. It has been known to cause damage to the hair follicles on the scalp. This is especially true for men with pattern baldness. DHT causes them to no longer produce new hair. Taking Finasteride reduces the amount of testosterone in the body which can be converted into DHT. According to one study, taking 1mg of Finasteride daily can help reduce scalp DHT by more than 60%.
Does Finasteride work fast?
Using Finasteride as treatment requires patience and commitment if one were to achieve the ideal results in preventing hair loss or regrowing hair. While it is possible to start seeing limited results even just within three months of use, it may take up to an entire year before you can see the results you’ve always been hoping for. Maximum results can usually take up to two years to achieve. The reason for this is because hair does take time to grow.
In the same manner, it can also take time for hair to fall out. If you decide to stop the Finasteride treatment, there’s a very good chance that all the hair you’ve regrown will not fall out until after a year of stopping the medication.
What to expect when stopping Finasteride treatment
If you decide to stop the treatment, then all the natural processes that your body has undergone that have originally caused your hair loss is going to resume. The body will once again start producing DHT, this time in even larger amounts compared to when you first started taking Finasteride. Over time, this will accumulate in your scalp. Your hair shouldn’t just fall out instantly. It takes time for the follicles to degrade or to stop producing any new hair because of the increase in DHT.
Is Finasteride better than Minoxidil?
According to a study, Finasteride has better efficacy than Minoxidil. The study showed that 80% of men who were taking Finasteride experienced increased hair intensity compared to 52% of people who were taking 5% Minoxidil topically.
Side effects to watch out for
People who are using Finasteride to address their hair loss issues do run the risk of experiencing sexually related adverse effects. A significant number of those that experienced these side effects reported a significant reduction of their libido. A vast majority of those that did experience this problem, however, have found that their sexual enthusiasm was restored right after they discontinued the medication. There is a small percentage, however, who did not recover. A small percentage of people who have used Finasteride have experienced losing their libido for months or even years even after they have discontinued the medication.
What is Propecia
While Finasteride is the generic name of the chemical used in preventing hair from falling and restoring hair, it is also known for its branded name called Propecia. Both of these drugs are the same and work the same way. Since Propecia is the branded version, it is typically more expensive compared to the generic Finasteride.
How do I get access to Finasteride online?
Both branded Propecia and generic Finasteride are available for online purchase. It is important to remember that these medications are only available via a doctor’s prescription. Most online sites that sell these medications should have an online doctor service available to help you secure a prescription in the event that you do not have one.