According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of males have hair loss by age 35. By age 50, 85% of males have lost some hair. These statistics can be depressing, but there is good news. It’s never too late to start reversing this process.
One option is finasteride. This potent medication has changed the lives of many people. Known more commonly as Propecia, this medication can be your first step in beating the odds.
Finasteride originated in the 1980s. In 1992, it received clearance for medical usage. By 1997, Merck got approval to market finasteride for male pattern baldness. The new drug was named Propecia. Since that time, it has gained a strong foothold in the market. More than 8.9 million people in the United States maintain prescriptions for finasteride.
Interestingly, finasteride originally targeted prostate issues. In this form, finasteride takes the name Proscar. However, because finasteride impacts hormone levels, individuals can also use it for hair loss. In fact, in one study, people who took Propecia ended up with more hair than those who took placebos. Propecia targets the cells that grow new hair to promote this type of change. This change is possible by blocking the transformation of testosterone into DHT. DHT connects with ongoing hair loss in men.
While individual results will vary with finasteride, the data is still overwhelmingly positive. Nearly 80% of people who take Propecia will see improvement in their condition. At least 66% saw visible new hair growth. For some people, Propecia will slow down the process of hair loss and minimize the appearance of thinning hair. However, other people see robust growth. The results are usually most dramatic in men with mild or moderate hair loss. It is less effective for completely bald men.
In general, you should take one pill of Propecia daily. It may be several months before you start to see results. You must sustain your medication regimen if you want to maintain any progress with Propecia. If you stop taking Propecia, you may lose your progress.
The effect of finasteride can connect with its impact on DHT. DHT is a sex hormone that forms from the body’s supply of testosterone. When your DHT levels are not correctly balanced, this imbalance can start to affect your hair follicles. Specifically, the hair follicles begin to shrink. As a result, hair grows less. Moreover, the strands that grow are weaker and more likely to break.
If your hair loss connects with your hormone levels, then a product like finasteride can help. In its current formulation, finasteride is most effective at targeting hair loss on the crown or top of the head. The medication blocks a specific enzyme to achieve this effect. By blocking this enzyme, finasteride can control your DHT levels. In this way, finasteride stops hair loss at its source. Many men see the progression of their hair loss slow, and some will even see new hair start to grow.
Finasteride has been available for decades. So far, the research is promising, and the literature supports the use of finasteride as a hair loss treatment. Results are usually visible within six months. Within a year, most men will have more hair than before. However, results may vary. If you do not see the results you desire with finasteride, be sure to talk to your doctor.