Can Finasteride Cure Alopecia? Facts & Figures

Loss of hair, or alopecia, is triggered by several factors like age, genetics, family background, and hormonal disorders. Finasteride is effective in treating baldness, but the majority of people are anxious regarding whether it can cure alopecia.

Here, we are going to outline the benefits of finasteride and also the potential side effects. While the drug cannot cure baldness, it can reverse hair loss and also promote new hair growth in balding areas. We will explain the facts and figures about finasteride and how Hairy Hair may help you with your hair loss.

How does finasteride work for alopecia?

Finasteride helps to curb hair loss and encourage new hair growth as it blocks the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 

DHT causes hair follicles to shrink over time and eventually leads to hair loss. As DHT levels decrease in your body, your hair loss can slow down, and hair regrowth can be promoted in men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

Pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss. It can be identified by the progressive thinning of hair over time. A receding hairline and sparse crown area are typical of this condition. It can lead to a complete loss of hair in some cases.

Oral finasteride is approved as a hair loss treatment in Australia. There is a topical version available, but it hasn’t been approved yet for the treatment of hair loss. According to the study Finasteride: a review of its use in male pattern hair loss, finasteride can help to encourage hair growth in around 66% of men after 2 years of use. This comes alongside maintaining 83% of existing hair.

Benefits of finasteride for alopecia

Finasteride can help with hair loss in several ways. As it blocks the production of DHT, finasteride can prevent hair loss from progressing further and curb thinning.

When DHT levels are reduced, dormant follicles can be stimulated to form new hair. Existing hair can improve in volume and density while on the medication. Your hair’s well-being can be ensured by increasing the strength and density of your hair through the assistance of finasteride. Side effects can vary from person to person, however, as the drug might act differently in your body.

Although finasteride is not a cure-all for balding, it has been shown to slow down the loss of hair and stop hair loss as long as it’s being used. It won’t be able to reverse or completely stop baldness, however.

If you’re already completely bald, finasteride will not be able to work for you in growing back your hair. The effects are best in those people who are still in the early stage of pattern hair loss because it delays the progression of hair thinning. As with other forms of hair loss, acting at the first signs can give you the best chance to alleviate shedding and regain growth.

How to use finasteride for alopecia

You should consult with your doctor before beginning finasteride and follow any instructions given. The typical recommended dose is 1mg per day for the treatment of hair loss. Consistency is key, as a certain amount of the drug needs to be in your system to see results.

You shouldn’t take more than the recommended dose, and don’t take an extra pill if you miss one. If you over-consume finasteride, it can increase your likelihood of experiencing negative side effects.

Attempt to take the tablet daily at the same time, and do not crush or break it. It will at least take 3 months to realise results, but the most perceivable improvements can be seen between 6 and 12 months of regular use.

Pregnant women and children should not come in contact with finasteride. The drug is absorbed into the skin and can cause birth defects in a child who is still in the womb. For this reason, you will be unable to donate blood while using the medication or for six months after stopping the medication.

Finasteride for alopecia side effects

Some potential side effects come with finasteride, although research indicates that only around 1% of patients experience an adverse reaction to the medication.

Side effects include:

• Swelling in your face
• Headaches
• Rhinorrhea
• Rashes
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Lack of sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Breast tenderness
• Testicular pain
• Ejaculation issues

Finasteride only works on the scalp, so you would not be able to see any facial or body hair growth.

If you are experiencing unpleasant side effects from taking finasteride, speak with your doctor. A modification in the dosage of your prescription should take care of these effects while still having the benefit of the drug.

When you initially start using finasteride, you may experience some shedding of hair. This is natural and a sign that the drug is working. Your hair follicles have to make way for new hair growth as part of the cycle of hair growth, and this is not something that you should worry about.

What can Hairy Hair do to help with my hair loss?

Finasteride is a potent DHT blocker that enables hair growth by preventing the contraction of hair follicles. Finasteride is readily accessible via hair loss clinics, local general practitioners, or online consultations. Finasteride is not necessarily in a position to provide an immediate cure for alopecia, but it is helpful in reducing hair loss and encouraging regrowth in balding areas of hair.

Although finasteride can treat baldness alone, its effectiveness can be greatly increased when in combination with other compounds that create a more favourable environment for hair growth. By including other beneficial ingredients with your finasteride treatment, you may get better results, particularly during the initial few months of treatment.

Hairy Hair offers a special formula addressing different baldness issues.

The pill is a vasodilator, meaning it expands the blood vessels in the scalp to increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. The follicles are more likely to grow healthy and strong hair strands that are less susceptible to breakage when they are well-nourished.

The treatment is supplemented with natural ingredients that can help in the formation of keratin, the primary protein required for hair strands. It also includes a natural DHT blocker and anti-inflammatory ingredients, which promote a healthy scalp environment conducive to growth.

By taking one pill a day, you can work to treat most hair loss disorders with one overall course of treatment and, therefore, have a greater opportunity to reverse hair growth than by taking a single drug.

Finasteride’s ability to cure alopecia

Finasteride has proven successful in reversing hair loss in males with high levels of DHT, the most common reason for male pattern baldness. Blocking the formation of DHT in the scalp allows for improved hair growth.

Finasteride is not able to cure alopecia, but yes, it could promote healthy growth of hair and stop hair fall. 

It takes a synergistic combination of nutrients and appropriate conditions for hair to grow normally, which would not be the case with finasteride alone. A multimodal treatment that addresses multiple issues of hair fall can significantly inhibit hair fall and make new hair grow stronger, thereby more resilient to future hair shedding.

If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to be proactive, we invite you to contact Hairy Hair today. To start your treatment is easy, just complete a quick online questionnaire of your hair loss concerns. A trained Australian GP will then call you to discuss a personalised treatment plan and address any questions that you might have.

Your prescription will be delivered to your doorstep easily, making it unnecessary to visit the clinic. Our staff will be available to guide you through every process to potentially regain your hair and boost your confidence.