Is finasteride I started 6 months ago proving to be ineffective?

Question

I think my hairline is slightly worse than baseline, but I also have noticed darker and longer hairs growing along the hairline, some of which in spots where I don't think was hair before. Does this mean it is working, or is it proving to be ineffective? Should I try something different?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Finasteride can help slow hair loss and in some cases add hairs to some patients.  Patients can self evaluate by taking objective photographs to determine the degree of hair loss.  Trichoscopy can be a more objective way of quantifying the amount of minaturized hairs as well as number of hairs.  Best Dr. Anil Shah

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

I recommend getting a consultation with a cosmetic dermatologist with experience in hair restoration and maintenance. There are some great options for hair restoration and maintenance like prp injections which can stimulate hair growth. Hope this helps.

Kulakarn Amonpattana, MD · Answer

The full effect of Finasteride vary from 6 months to 2 years.
The final outcome can be variable.Some people see the different within only first few months.Some people cannot tell if the medicine is effective until they quit and instantly loss hair from withdrawal effect. My recommendation is to maintain the medicine until 1 year. If there happen to be any unwanted side effect, contact your physician to adjust the dose or switch to some other treatments.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

There is one very simple but underutilized way to tell if finasteride is wirking or not: two standard photographs at the start of treatment and then 9 months later. If there is more hair density, the treatment is probably helping. If less, it’s probably not (or might be slowing things down). If the photo is unchanged the finasteride may be helping to stop progression (or the hair loss natural progression spees is too slow to see a difference at 9 months). Nothing beats a photo- especially comments about hair sprouts here and there and other similar observations.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

This drug does not always work for hair loss treatment. You must wait a full hear before considering it not working

Is finasteride I started 6 months ago proving to be ineffective?

Answers (5)

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