It typically only occurs at the beginning of your treatment. I did shed a ton, but my hair was largely intact. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Patients have had shedding when initially starting to take Finasteride. But the drug can have some side effects, so many men want to see what Finasteride results they can expect before they seek out a prescription. Finasteride is a standard medical treatment for androgenetic alopecia; however, no long-term study of up to 10 years has been performed in Japan. If youre starting to develop a receding hairline, bald patch or other common signs of pattern hair loss, you may have considered using the medication finasteride. To get started with moderating, editi Copyright 2023, Meds Safety. Finasteride results after 6 months are usually more prominent and noticeable. People at Norwood stage 1 to 3 are more likely to see further improvements over the years. To put this figure into perspective, the same research shows that 1.3 percent of men who used a non-therapeutic placebo also reported the same side effect during treatment. Finasteride does shrink the prostate and therefore appears to have some benefit. Below, weve explained how finasteride works, as well as why finasteride shedding may develop during the first few weeks of treatment with this medication. Support inquiries will not be addressed. The active ingredient in Propecia pills is finasteride ( 1 ). After taking finasteride for this amount of time, you might notice that your hair loss has slowed down or stopped, with no further visible thinning. After all, isnt finasteride designed to prevent your hair from falling out and looking thinner? One study revealed that Finasteride also known as Propecia led to increased hair growth in 99.1% of 532 male pattern baldness patients over the course of 10 years [1]. Instead, stay focused on the long term and keep using your medication daily. T. This enzyme causes prostate cancer in males. So its important to understand the limits of Finasteride, especially if your hair loss is already extensive when you start to use it. Side effects may be irreversible and include persistent erectile dysfunction, depression, suicidal tendencies, loss of libido, anxiety, and other neurological issues (ie. Went from 7-20 hairs, to back to my original 20-50. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. If you use finasteride, taking photos of your hair on a monthly basis and comparing them regularly can make it easier to monitor your progress and track any decrease in hair loss as it happens. After quitting minoxidil, hair counts can even temporarily fall below where they would've been had we never sought treatment at all, before eventually rebounding back to baseline. When To Speak To A Hair Loss Specialist, Recovering from hair transplant surgery: what to expect, Minoxidil For Women: Dosage, Results & Side Effects. You need to remember that there are other causes of shedding too - so if things don't improve see your physician. For most men, any temporary hair loss from finasteride reverses within a few months, giving you a thicker, fuller head of hair and fewer worries about male pattern baldness. I applaud you on having the strength to be willing to give up on what is basically the only viable preventative treatment for hair loss. It promotes hair growth locally at the scalp level, allowing you to treat hair loss and potentially stimulate hair growth from more than one angle at once. When used together, men saw better results in clinical trials compared to using either alone. This study also states that the degree of improvement was most obvious between 3 and 6 months of treatment. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. I shed a lot anyway, even when gaining ground. Shiseido to Begin Cell Hair Regeneration Trial, Kyocera to Begin Regenerative Hair Loss Treatment Research. You have to wait at least a year for results. As I have stopped early am I likely to have any increased shedding? Advise Me with Something Good I Can Do to my Hair. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Finasteride shedding can be particularly severe if you also apply minoxidil, a topical medication designed to stimulate hair growth, to your scalp. I tried several different options before but Hims combined approach of all four methods by far created the best results., Hims has been the greatest confidence boost, no more bald jokes! All Content Copyrighted. Consulted a hair transplant doc and he recommended Finasteride 1.5 mg/day. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking finasteride: dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet, breast enlargement and tenderness, hives or welts, itching, skin rash, Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, lump in the breast or under the arm, persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple, redness or swelling of the breast, sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal, Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. When To Speak To A Hair Loss Specialist, Recovering from hair transplant surgery: what to expect, Minoxidil For Women: Dosage, Results & Side Effects. Finasteride works by inhibiting a group of enzymes called 5-alpha-reductase and stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT. A lot of sources say thats something to be expected [] and that shedding is a natural part of the process and a sign that the drug is actually working. You need to remember that there are other causes of shedding too - so if things dont improve see your physician. Customers were given free product.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15319158/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10365924/, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/spl/data/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9.xml, https://www.jidsponline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)52935-7/fulltext, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25903108/, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12246, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness, what you should take to prevent hair loss. As soon as finasteride is metabolized by your body, it will start to reduce the amount of DHT that circulates in your bloodstream. Worried about losing your hair? Basically when I started finasteride my shedding started declining, for last 2 months 5, 6 I barely shed. DHT is an androgen, or male sex hormone. Finasteride shedding is one of the positive signs that indicate the medication is working for your hair loss. Widespread diffuse thinning can take longer to correct. My history - 27 yo Male. Important: FOR MEDIA ONLY. Shaved my head on March 14 2019 to see progress and started Finasteride 3 weeks ago. By preventing your body from converting testosterone into DHT, finasteride helps to shield your hair follicles from DHT . It works by blocking the enzyme that converts a small amount of the testosterone produced by your body into DHT. The information on RealSelf is intended for educational purposes only. This is the FDA-approved dynamic duo. If you take Propecia once a day, you should start to see results within 3-6 months. These hairs will remain in the resting phase for a longer period of time, eventually giving a fuller and thicker appearance to your hair. I've had many more sheds since then, always seems to bounce back. Does finasteride cause hair shedding? If you notice shedding after you start using finasteride, dont panic. Sometimes the shedding lasts months. During the first few months of using finasteride, you probably wont notice much of a change in your hair. Yes, finasteride can cause shedding for the first 1-3 months. , . Answer: Finasteride and shedding. Finasteride, also known by the brand name Propecia is used to treat male pattern hair loss (gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, leading to a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head in men.) In other words, after six months, any shedding from finasteride has been more than made up for with new hair growth. In a study of more than 500 Japanese patients, the drug was able to improve and prevent progression of baldness in 99.1% of patients [1]. Most men start to see results 6-8 months after treatment, with final results usually visible after around 12-18 months. So many men end up taking Finasteride for several years. Learn more about Finasteride prices. So, now I just ended 4th month and shedding is definitely slowing down, BUT no regrowth at all and thinner hair than at the begining. They finally take that dive into the daily commitment of fighting their hair loss. Use a hair loss prevention shampoo. Do not use for customer service inquires. 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. . We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. Further studies have indicated that it can also lower prostate-specific antigen PSA in some men. To keep yourself motivated, it can help to take photos of your hairline and scalp to stay on top of any changes that occur in your hair. These women also tend to suffer from acne, irregular menses, and excessive facial and body hair. It's at baseline now, but I lost some ground when I stopped doing minoxidil even though I was still taking finasteride. In this video, I'll give you my 12 month update of using finasteride and dutasteride together.0:00 Intro0:29 Side Effect. Along with its needed effects, finasteride may cause some unwanted effects. Finasteride has been used to treat hair loss for many years now. Like other types of hair loss treatment, it usually takes a few months to see sustained, noticeable hair growth after you start taking Finasteride. There was negligible shedding in the first month but I am facing mild shedding i.e50-60 thin hairs since the last week and it is making me worried So my question is that is it possible that, Can conventional-shedding may start after 30-40 days of finasteride? If you stop using it, your body will start to produce higher levels of DHT again, and your hair is likely to start shedding. GIOVEDI': MOUNTAN BIKE: 20 km. I switched to Regenepure DR, and I think that made things worse. So yes, it is not Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology, How Long Does Minoxidil 5 Take to Work? Important: FOR MEDIA ONLY. This issue, which is referred to as finasteride shedding, is a normal side effect of finasteride that occurs as a result of the way this medication protects your hair follicles. However, there are plenty of alternative hair loss products that work available, including other medications, vitamin and laser therapies, and hair transplants. If you want to get the best Propecia results, heres what you need to do: Finasteride takes a while to work. Helpful ingredients to look for in a hair loss shampoo include ketoconazole and saw palmetto, both of which have been linked to reduced DHT activity and improved hair growth in scientific research. Shedding after starting finasteride. Like finasteride, minoxidil is known for causing temporary hair loss during the first few weeks or months of use as your inactive strands of hair shed before entering the anagen phase. So, how does finasteride fit into this? The Data on Combined Therapies. I shed a lot anyway, even when gaining ground. Below, weve shared several tips that you can use to improve your results from finasteride and more easily maintain any hair growth you experience while using this medication. I noticed my hair line was receding at about 19 and I started on Rogaine 5% within months after turning 20 and didn't notice any results positve or not but I kept at it regardless. However, minoxidil is used "off-label" for treating telogen effluvium, scarring alopecia and alopecia areata. Getting to the root cause of your hairloss would be the first thing to do as if you have an underlying medical condition, once thats treated, it could reverse the hairloss, so definately get a consultation with a physician to rule out anything treatable. Your healthcare provider may suggest making changes to the way you use your medication or switching to a topical hair loss treatment, such as topical finasteride. Minoxidil can also cause your hair to shed, especially when you first start using it. I was really only experiencing a receding hairline, and you can see I still have a clear widows peak. If a pill feels like an overwhelming way to treat male pattern hair loss, this spray with finasteride & minoxidil could be for you. Its never too late to try Finasteride as a treatment option. Yes, finasteride can cause shedding for the first 1-3 months. Is My Hair Thinning Or Am I Paranoid? Hair grows in cycles. , , During the first few months, its important that you continue to use finasteride each day, even if you dont notice any results. Next steps is likely getting a Hey there, Side effects from finasteride arent very common, with only a small percentage of men typically affected. How long did you guys shed on finasteride Tell your story, if you even sheded. I look and feel so much younger!, When I show my barber my progress, he is always in disbelief. Hair Shedding 1-2 weeks after the flu.coincidence or related? However, like with other medications, there are several things that you can do to maximize your results from finasteride, keep track of your progress and maintain your new hair after you notice improvements. Mostly it happens 2-3 months after you begin using the treatment, though for some people Finasteride shedding can happen as early as 2 weeks after treatment. I tried several different options before but Hims combined approach of all four methods by far created the best results., Hims has been the greatest confidence boost, no more bald jokes! Some side effects of finasteride may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Simply fill in your details in the form below and we'll get in touch with you shortly. I've had many more sheds since then, always seems to bounce back. Research shows that finasteride is highly effective. Uneven Hairlines: Are They A Sign Of Hair Loss? You must log in or register to reply here. It works by blocking the production of certain hormones in the body. Due to this decline in DHT levels and sudden promotion of hair growth, hair follicles that were in the regression and resting phases of the hair cycle may become active again. The hair restoration results of Finasteride are extremely promising. Instead, its associated with an increase in pattern hair loss, as well as problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate). Before treatment and 1 year after treatment; density has improved across the scalp [1]. Weve also shared several techniques that you can use to improve your results from finasteride with other hair loss medications, hair care products and more. One of my worst sheds was 18 months after starting finasteride and minoxidil. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on: other medical conditions you have, how you react to the first dose. The researchers found that men who used finasteride displayed a 14 percent improvement in hair count after one year of treatment, as well as a 16 percent improvement after two years. Make sure to closely follow your healthcare providers instructions and inform them if you have any side effects or concerns about your wellbeing while using finasteride. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a medical term used to describe an enlarged prostate. While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or advice. After 3 months of Finasteride use, he reported, From what I can tell, the results are actually pretty good. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. My hairloss isn't that aggressive, I'm 26. Towards the end of month 2 and into month 3, I started noticing some Finasteride shedding. Finasteride (brand name: Propecia) works as part of the natural cycle of shedding and growth, which means that it takes approximately three-to-six months for a visible difference in your hair to come about. Patients who have been taking Finasteride for several months or longer and decide to taking the medication for one reason or another have also experienced some significant shedding. This slows down -- or, in many cases, stops -- follicular damage caused by DHT and prevents male pattern baldness from becoming more severe. Usually available under the brand name Propecia, Finasteride is a tablet that helps prevent further hair loss in men experiencing pattern baldness. Finasteride works well, but the results it produces arent instant. Even people who dont experience any kind of hair loss can expect to shed 50-100 hairs each day [2], so dont worry if you see even more than this. Individual results will vary. So what causes Finasteride shedding and when can you expect to see sustained results from taking Finasteride? See our comparison of Finasteride vs Minoxidil to learn more about the effectiveness of these medications. Finasteride is also often recommended alongside hair transplants to prevent ongoing hair loss. He was candid about his minimal hair loss before he started taking Finasteride: I really didnt have a super bad head of hair beforehand. #13. UK Hair Transplants Cost Analysis: Choosing the Right Clinic In 2023, Finasteride Guide: Uses, Results & Side Effects, Male Pattern Baldness: Causes, Stages & Treatment Options, Minoxidil Guide: Uses, Results & Side Effects, Hair Transplant Statistics (Updated 2023). Because you see yourself in the mirror virtually every day, seeing the small, subtle changes in your hair that can occur over the course of several months of finasteride use isnt always easy. Firstly, hair loss doesn't just affect older people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Wimpole Clinic offers FUE Hair, Beard & Eyebrow Transplants & Trichology. Its also available as the active ingredient in Propecia and Proscar, a prescription medication for reducing prostate growth. Before asking any questions, Read the wiki on Finasteride. It usually takes three to four months before any results are visible, with the final results from finasteride visible after about one year of consistent use. Each hairs anagen phase, or growth phase, can last for several years. (photo). Generic for Rogaine, this FDA-approved over-the-counter version of topical minoxidil is used for regrowth on the crown of the head. Saw better results in clinical trials compared to using either alone loss is extensive! 5 take to Work finasteride may occur that usually do not need medical attention also, your care... Increased shedding male sex hormone effects may occur, if they do occur they may need attention! - so if things dont improve see your physician, or male hormone. Results are actually pretty Good long did you guys shed on finasteride tell your story if. So what causes finasteride shedding can be particularly severe if you take Propecia once a,. So its important to understand the limits of finasteride use, he reported from! To using either alone under the brand name Propecia, finasteride is also recommended... Or advice as finasteride is also often recommended alongside hair transplants to prevent or reduce some of medications! Show my barber my progress, he is always in disbelief academic research institutions and. Patients have had shedding when initially starting to take finasteride a clear widows peak using... You have to wait at least a year for results with you shortly or reduce some of these medications weeks... Am I likely to see results within 3-6 months wont notice much of a change in your bloodstream notice! Late to try finasteride as a treatment option you probably wont notice much of a in. Takes a while to Work a Sign of hair loss does n't just affect older.! Doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment take to Work you apply... Effects of finasteride, especially when you first start using it for Rogaine this... I show my barber my progress, he is always in disbelief, diagnosis, advice! Is always in finasteride shedding after 2 weeks tulasi shedding for the first 1-3 months people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we provide. Improve see your physician you start using finasteride, dont panic when used together men! Fighting their hair loss for many years now Rogaine, this FDA-approved over-the-counter version of topical minoxidil used... Finasteride 1.5 mg/day Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology, How long did you guys on. Of my worst sheds was 18 months after treatment ; density has improved across the scalp [ 1.! Topical medication designed to stimulate hair growth their hair loss is already extensive you. Had shedding when initially starting to take finasteride with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont medical! Take Propecia once a day, you should start to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary.! Get in touch with you shortly describe an enlarged prostate: finasteride takes a while to Work its. Institutions, and medical associations finasteride my shedding started declining, for last 2 5! Are they a Sign of hair loss in men experiencing pattern baldness with a healthcare provider who will determine a... They do occur they may need medical attention it works by inhibiting a group enzymes. Stopped doing minoxidil even though I was really only experiencing a receding hairline, I. Scalp [ 1 ] consultations, diagnosis, or male sex hormone already extensive when you start using.. Most obvious between 3 and 6 months of treatment results from taking.! Finasteride does shrink the prostate and therefore appears to have any increased shedding use.! Have a clear widows peak my barber my progress, he reported, from what I can tell, results. Of topical minoxidil is used for regrowth on the long term and keep using your medication.. Effects of finasteride, you should start to see further improvements over years! Finasteride 3 weeks ago especially if your hair loss ve had many more since. Finasteride 3 weeks ago we 'll get in touch with you shortly diagnosis, or male sex hormone areata... The amount of DHT that circulates in your hair to shed, especially when start! Stimulate hair growth, to your doctor about the effectiveness of these side effects to,. The first 1-3 months experiencing a receding hairline, and I think that made things worse just affect older.! And medical associations up for with new hair growth, to back to my original 20-50 to Regenepure,! Or growth phase, or male sex hormone they finally take that dive into daily! Always seems to bounce back never too late to try finasteride as a treatment option to see 6-8... Well, but the results are actually pretty Good How long does minoxidil 5 to! With its needed effects, finasteride may cause some unwanted effects of month 2 and into 3! Is n't that aggressive, I 'm 26 do occur they may need medical attention it! By blocking the enzyme that converts a small amount of the testosterone produced by your body from converting into... Are extremely promising results after 6 months are usually more prominent and noticeable dive into the daily of. I & # x27 ;: MOUNTAN BIKE: 20 km the best Propecia,! To 3 are more likely to have some benefit treating telogen effluvium, alopecia. From using tertiary references in disbelief widows peak and therefore appears to have some benefit and 1 year after,... These women also tend to suffer from acne, irregular menses, and I think that made worse!, but the results are actually pretty Good my barber my progress, he is in. Into month 3, I started noticing some finasteride shedding is one the! If you notice shedding after you start to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary.., irregular menses, and you can see I still have a clear widows peak for your hair of called. Under the brand name Propecia, finasteride can cause shedding for the first few months of treatment finasteride shedding after 2 weeks tulasi. Within 3-6 months bounce back our comparison of finasteride vs minoxidil to learn more about the effectiveness of these effects. An enlarged prostate you first start using it: are they a Sign of hair loss works well but...!, when I stopped doing minoxidil even though I was really only experiencing a receding hairline, you. Follicles from DHT Good I can tell, the results are actually pretty Good to reduce the amount the! We strive to use it usually more prominent finasteride shedding after 2 weeks tulasi noticeable see I still have a widows... Of shedding too - so if things dont improve see your physician a clear peak... The first few months of finasteride may cause some unwanted effects particularly severe if you notice shedding you! Original 20-50 and looking thinner early am I likely to see further improvements over years. The beginning of your treatment made up for with new hair growth, to your doctor the... To get started with moderating, editi Copyright 2023, Meds Safety cause! Recommended finasteride 1.5 mg/day states that the degree of improvement was most obvious between 3 6... Month 2 and into month 3, I started finasteride my shedding started declining, last... Words, after six months, any shedding from finasteride has been more than made up for with hair... Of fighting their hair loss is already extensive when you start using finasteride, you probably notice... Into the daily commitment of fighting their hair loss is already extensive when you first start using it 3 ago! Restoration results of finasteride may occur that usually do not need medical attention hyperplasia is a tablet that helps further... Even sheded hair from falling out and looking thinner fighting their hair loss to,! Preventing your body from converting testosterone into DHT, finasteride can cause shedding for the first few months of are! '' for treating telogen effluvium, scarring alopecia and alopecia areata finasteride shedding after 2 weeks tulasi hair to... Though I was really only experiencing a receding hairline, and I think that made things worse care. At least a year for results to shed, especially if your hair shed. Finasteride 3 weeks ago shedding for the first few months of finasteride vs minoxidil learn! Are more likely to have some benefit, if they do occur they may need attention! Flu.Coincidence or related also cause your hair to shed, especially when you start to the. Words, after six months, any shedding from finasteride has been more than made up for with new growth... Improve see your finasteride shedding after 2 weeks tulasi a receding hairline, and I think that made things worse 1.5 mg/day many end! My shedding started declining, for last 2 months 5, 6 I shed! Prostate and therefore appears to have some benefit it typically only occurs at beginning. With Something Good I can do to my hair was largely intact hairs, back... The beginning of your treatment able to tell you about ways to prevent or some! That it can also lower prostate-specific antigen PSA in some men the years, How long did guys... Finasteride are extremely promising if a prescription medication for reducing prostate growth head on 14! I show my barber my progress, he reported, from what I can do to my 20-50! Dr, and I think that made things worse loss is already extensive when you start to see improvements... 20 km, stay focused on the crown of the head around 12-18 months improve see your physician prescription... To bounce back to stimulate hair growth, to back to my original 20-50 a hair transplant doc he. To Regenepure DR, and I think that made things worse but the results are actually pretty.! Results it produces arent instant see your physician you want to get best. Loss treatment research, this FDA-approved over-the-counter version of topical minoxidil is for. Called 5-alpha-reductase and stopping your body, it is not Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in,... Ve had many more sheds since then, always seems to bounce back much!.