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    Finasteride results

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    1. Types of hair loss
    2. What is Finasteride?
    3. What’s the difference between Finasteride and Propecia?
    4. Does Finasteride work?
    5. Finasteride results timeline
    6. Finasteride and minoxidil results
    7. Other treatments for hair loss
    8. LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor hair loss clinic

    Balding man

    While we are yet to find a cure for hair loss, there are a variety of medications that can help, Finasteride being one, used for male pattern baldness. It can be requested via a hair loss consultation with one of our clinicians.

    Types of hair loss

    Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men, thought to affect as many as 50% of men over the age of 50. It is a genetic condition, also known as androgenetic alopecia, which can be treated, although not cured. 

    Hair loss can also be caused by illness, stress or chemotherapy, however these are often temporary but cannot be treated with medication.

    If your hair loss is affecting you, it’s best to start treatment as soon as you begin to notice it, as this will give you the best chance of preventing further hair loss. 

    What is Finasteride?

    Finasteride is a generic treatment for hair loss, containing the same active ingredient as the popular branded treatment, Propecia. It is taken daily as a tablet and halts hair loss for as many as 9 out of 10 men. If the active ingredient and the dosage are the same, the treatments will have the same effect and work in the same way.

    Finasteride works by preventing the enzyme that turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from doing so. A reduced amount of DHT in the hair follicles reduces the rate at which hair is lost, and in some cases cause new hair to grow again. 

    What’s the difference between Finasteride and Propecia?

    The only real difference between Finasteride and Propecia is that Finasteride is the generic version of the treatment branded Propecia. Both contain the same dose of the same active ingredient (finasteride), meaning they work in exactly the same way to treat hair loss. You might find that Finasteride is a more cost-effective treatment, as it does not carry the Propecia branding. This is the same for the generic versions of most treatments. 

    Does Finasteride work?

    Yes, it’s thought that Finasteride works for up to for 9 out of 10 men.

    But like with all treatments, Finasteride may have differing effects on different people. Finasteride is most effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss caused by male pattern baldness

    If your hair loss is caused by illness, stress or treatment such as chemotherapy, it cannot be treated by Finasteride. Often these types of hair loss are temporary, but if you experience sudden hair loss, you should speak to your GP.

    Finasteride results timeline

    It’s important to remember that results won’t be instant, and you should persevere with the treatment to give it the best chance of having an effect. 

    For the majority of men, it will take a few months of daily use, before they start to see the impact. Results won’t appear any quicker if you take more than one tablet a day. 

    Finasteride results after six months

    Six months into your treatment, you might be starting to see the impact of Finasteride. Your hair loss may have slowed and improved. 

    Finasteride results after one year

    Hopefully after one year of taking Finasteride you will be seeing your hair loss improve and your hair line might look thicker and fuller. 

    After five years of treatment, studies have shown that the majority of men will have an improved hair line, and some will have new growth. 

    If you stop taking Finasteride

    Hair loss will return if you stop taking Finasteride, so you will need to continue with the treatment for as long as you would like to halt your hair loss. Even if you have really positive results from taking Finasteride this will be reversed once you stop treatment. 

    Finasteride and minoxidil results

    Lots of men choose to take Finasteride and use minoxidil at the same time. Minoxidil (sometimes known by the brand Regaine) is an over the counter hair loss treatment, which can help increase the supply of blood and nutrients to the hair follicles, stimulating growth. 

    Regaine comes as a lotion, liquid or foam and is applied to areas of the head affected by hair loss. Some men see Regaine encourage hair regrowth in as little as eight weeks, however, this could be up to 16 weeks for some. 

    There’s no evidence to suggest any negative interactions when using these two treatments together. And there is some thinking that increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles with minoxidil, may help Finasteride get to where it needs to be and work more effectively. 

    Other treatments for hair loss

    Another popular treatment for hair loss is Minoxidil (Regaine). Regaine does not need a prescription so can be bought over the counter in highstreet pharmacies, in a LloydsPharmacy store or from the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor website.

    Regaine comes as a lotion, liquid or foam and is applied to areas of the head affected by hair loss. Some men see Regaine encourage hair regrowth in as little as eight weeks, however, this could be up to 16 weeks for some. 

    In some cases men can use Finasteride daily alongside Regaine, as a two-pronged approach to treating hair loss. Our clinicians can prescribe a hair loss treatment bundle which has both Finasteride and Regaine in. You can also buy biotin, hair loss shampoo and minoxidil through our service. 

    Other options for those experiencing hair loss may be investing in a hair transplant, laser therapy, or wearing a wig or hairpiece. 

    LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor hair loss clinic

    If you would like to find out more about hair loss and possible treatment options, visit our hair loss clinic to complete an online consultation. Your answers will then be reviewed by one of our clinicians to assess your suitability for treatment.

    References

    https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=3831&itemtype=document
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15529357
    https://www.regaine.co.uk/men/hair-loss-explained/faqs

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