Finasteride is a very popular solution to androgenetic alopecia popularly known as male pattern baldness. In the United States, Finasteride is one of two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. So, does Finasteride actually work?
Does Finasteride Work?
Finasteride is one of the few drugs that have been clinically proven to work. However, like many drugs, the level of efficiency varies among users. This is due to a number of factors including, amount of hair loss before treatment, the method of application, type of hair among others.
Clinical records show that the drug can provide up to 30 percent improvement in hair loss after six months of treatment. One thing to note is that the effectiveness of finasteride persists as long as the drug is taken.
Finasteride is taken by mouth and can be done so with or without food. It is usually taken once a day, or as directed by your doctor. The drug should be taken regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
The best way to use finasteride is to take the treatment at the same time each day. The medication should not be stopped without consulting your doctor. Finasteride may take 6-12 months to notice a benefit.
How Does Finasteride Help Hair Loss?
Finasteride works by lowering the level of scalp and serum DHT. By doing this, finasteride can maintain or increase the number of terminal hairs in the anagen phase by inhibiting and sometimes reversing miniaturization of the hair follicle. Because Finasteride works by reducing DHT levels, it prevents you from losing hair around the lines of your hair.
Finasteride uk has shown to be most effective on the vertex but can reduce hair loss in all areas of the scalp. However, the information available on prescription emphasizes its ability to prevent hair loss on the crown and top of the head.
The results of a study published in 1999 (J Am Acad Dermatol) showed that finasteride was able to slow hair loss and increase hair growth in men. After 1 year of applying 1 mg of finasteride every day, the participants showed a significant increase in their hair count at the frontal scalp. This progress was improved in the next year.
Side Effects of Taking Finasteride
Before a doctor prescribes this treatment to you, he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Because finasteride is also used to treat prostate cancer and enlarged prostate, it could alter the sexual ability of a man.
Some of the most common side effects include, decreased sexual ability/desire, in some men, this medication can decrease the amount of semen released during sex. This is harmless but has continued in some men even after stopping treatment.
P.S: Finasteride is prescribed for only adult male, it should not be taken by women (pregnant women are not advised to handle it) and children.