Losing hair can feel frustrating. You notice thinning spots, a receding hairline, or more strands in the shower. It’s easy to wonder—will it get worse? Will anything actually work? Many treatments promise results, but not all deliver.
Finasteride is different. It directly targets the hormone responsible for hair loss: dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing DHT levels, it helps prevent further thinning and even promotes regrowth. But results take time, and knowing what to expect can make the journey easier.
In this article, you will discover the finasteride results timeline so you can track progress and set realistic expectations.
| 🔑 Key Takeaways ➤ In the first one to three months, you might see extra hair falling out because the treatment resets your hair cycle. ➤ Between months three and six, many people begin to notice that their hairline and temples look fuller as shedding slows down. ➤ During the three to six month period, more hair follicles start shifting into the growing phase. ➤ From six to nine months, studies show clear improvements in hair growth, especially in areas like the hairline and temples. ➤ By nine months to one year, most patients enjoy the strongest benefits with new hair well established. ➤ After one year, continuous use of the treatment helps maintain and slowly improve hair density over time. |
How Finasteride Works
Finasteride works by blocking a specific enzyme in your body called 5-alpha-reductase type 2. This enzyme is responsible for turning testosterone into DHT. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, which then leads to thinning hair and eventual hair loss. By stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT, finasteride helps keep your hair follicles stronger and thicker.
One study examined how different doses of finasteride affected men with hair loss. They took scalp skin samples and measured DHT levels before and after treatment. The study found that even a small dose of 0.2 mg per day reduced scalp DHT by over 56%, and higher doses reduced it by nearly 70%.
In addition, serum DHT levels dropped by up to 72.2% with higher doses. These findings show that finasteride significantly reduces the hormone that leads to hair loss.
Because finasteride blocks about 69% of circulating DHT, it slows down the process that causes hair follicles to shrink. This means that your hair is less likely to become thin and may even grow back thicker over time. Finasteride works by targeting the root cause of hair loss, making it a popular option for many people.
| 🩺 Doctor’s Note Finasteride is approved by the FDA for treating male pattern baldness and has been used safely for many years. However, it is important to remember that this medication should not be used by women who are pregnant because it can cause birth defects. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment. |
Month-by-Month Progress
Here’s what you can expect from month 1 to beyond a year:
Month 1 to 3
Right at the start, you might notice extra hair falling out. This may seem worrying, but it is actually a normal part of the process. This early shedding happens because finasteride resets your hair cycle. In other words, finasteride lowers the level of DHT (a hormone that harms hair follicles), which causes your old hairs to be pushed out to make room for new ones.
One research shows that when DHT levels drop, more hair follicles shift from the resting (telogen) phase to the growing (anagen) phase. This means that even though you see more shedding at first, your follicles are working harder to produce stronger hair later.
Month 3 to 6
After the first three months, many patients begin to notice changes. Federico Rangel, for example, reported that after three months his temples and crown started to look fuller, even though some shedding was still happening. By this time, the extra shedding tends to slow down.
Source: Wimpole Clinic
Studies and user reports suggest that by around four to six months, the drug has begun to change the hair cycle significantly. One study used a method called phototrichogram to measure hair growth in 212 men with androgenetic alopecia. At the start, the average total hair count in a 1‐cm² area was about 200 hairs, and 62% of them were in the growing (anagen) phase.
After 48 weeks of taking finasteride 1 mg daily, the study found an extra 17.3 hairs (an 8.3% increase) in total hair count and a gain of 27.0 hairs (a 26% increase) in the anagen hair count compared with placebo. The ratio of growing to resting hair improved by 47%. This study gives clear evidence that finasteride helps more hairs enter the active growing phase.
As a result, you may see that your hairline and temples start to look thicker. This phase is when many people begin to feel hopeful because the change is real and measured.
Month 6 to 9
Between six and nine months, you can see even more clear improvements in your hair growth. One study looked at 424 men aged 41 to 60 years with mild-to-moderate hair loss. In this 24-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, men took finasteride 1 mg daily. Global photographs of the vertex scalp were taken at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
The study found that, starting at six months, men in the finasteride group had a significant increase in hair growth compared to those taking placebo. These results were maintained through the 24-month period.
This study tells you that by six months, finasteride starts to work by keeping more hairs in the active growing phase and reducing the time they spend resting. As a result, areas like your hairline and temples may start to look noticeably thicker, even though a small thinning area on the crown might still be visible.
Month 9 to 12
By nine months and into one year, most patients enjoy the strongest benefits of finasteride. At this point, the initial shedding is almost entirely over, and the new hair growth is well established.
For example, one study—conducted with over 1,500 men aged 18 to 41—demonstrated that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly increased hair counts compared with placebo. In that study, the baseline hair count was around 876 hairs in a 1-inch diameter area of the balding vertex scalp, and treatment resulted in increases of approximately 107 hairs at 1 year and 138 hairs at 2 years.
| ⚠️ Important Note Now, you might wonder, what about other effects of finasteride? One study looked at more than just hair growth. This review explained that while finasteride is great for hair, it might affect sexual function in some patients. The study found that men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who used finasteride had a higher chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction. However, most research showed that younger men using finasteride for hair loss did not have this issue. |
Beyond 1 Year
While the first year brings the most dramatic change, the journey with finasteride continues well beyond this point. One 10-year study showed that continuous use of finasteride maintained and may even slowly improve hair density.
In that study, 532 Japanese men treated with 1 mg/day finasteride for 10 years showed improvement in nearly 92% of cases, and the overall hair loss progression was prevented in 99.1% of patients.
The Norwood-Hamilton classification—a system used to grade male pattern baldness—improved by about one full grade. Although the biggest jump in visible hair growth happens in the first year, continued use helps keep your hair in the growing phase for many years. If you ever decide to stop taking finasteride, the hair loss process may start again.
Wrap Up
At first, shedding might seem alarming, but it’s a sign that your hair cycle is resetting. By the six-month mark, many users notice visible improvements, with thicker, fuller hair appearing around the hairline and temples.
By one year, the benefits become even clearer, and with continued use, hair density can keep improving for years. Clinical studies prove its effectiveness, showing that finasteride not only slows hair loss but also encourages new growth.
For those seeking a long-term solution, this medication remains one of the most reliable options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can finasteride regrow my hair?
Yes, finasteride can help regrow hair. It works best when you start treatment early and stick with it over time.
What happens if I stop taking it?
If you stop, the effects wear off. DHT levels go back up, and hair loss may resume within a year.
How is finasteride taken?
Typically, it’s taken as a 1 mg pill daily for hair loss. For other uses, like prostate issues, higher doses may be prescribed.
Can women use finasteride?
Finasteride is mostly for men. It is sometimes used off-label for postmenopausal women, but women of childbearing age should not use it.
Does finasteride affect testosterone?
Yes, it can slightly increase your testosterone since it stops some from turning into DHT. This change is usually not noticeable.
Sources
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- Van Neste, D., Fuh, V., Sanchez‐Pedreno, P., Lopez‐Bran, E., Wolff, H., Whiting, D., Roberts, J., Kopera, D., Stene, J.‐J., Calvieri, S., … & British Association of Dermatologists. (2000). Finasteride increases anagen hair in men with androgenetic alopecia. British Journal of Dermatology, 143(4), 804–810. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03780.x
- Whiting, D. A., Olsen, E. A., Savin, R., Halper, L., Rodgers, A., Wang, L., Hustad, C., & Palmisano, J. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of finasteride 1 mg in men aged 41 to 60 years with male pattern hair loss. European Journal of Dermatology, 13(2), 150-160. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12695131/
- Kaufman, K. D., Olsen, E. A., Whiting, D., Savin, R., DeVillez, R., Bergfeld, W., Price, V. H., Van Neste, D., Roberts, J. L., Hordinsky, M., Shapiro, J., Binkowitz, B., & Gormley, G. J. (1998). Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 39(4 Pt 1), 578-589. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70007-6
- Yanagisawa, M., Fujimaki, H., Takeda, A., Nemoto, M., Sugimoto, T., & Sato, A. (Year). Long-term (10-year) efficacy of finasteride in 523 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia. Clinical Research in Therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.15761/CRT.1000273