Can finasteride make hair worse? (photos)

Finasteride is FDA-approved to treat male pattern hair loss. It's safe and it is the most effective FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss. It acts predominantly by increasing hair diameter and growth rate, although increased hair counts are also observed to a lesser degree. Studies have shown that daily treatment with 1 mg finasteride results in stabilization of pattern hair loss in about 50% of patients and regrowth in 48%. The first signs of efficacy are usually seen at 3 months, when men who complain of increased hair shedding during their hair-loss process begin to notice less shedding. One year of therapy is required to fully assess stabilization and/or regrowth. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a hair loss specialist.

Very few men when prescribed Finasteride will report increased hair shedding. Finasteride is only approved for hair loss in males in USA. Long term it works best in preventing crown hair loss and there is no evidence of making hair worse in using it long-term. Finasteride which is approved for male use only works better than minoxidil.