Your body makes dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a byproduct of testosterone production. It serves a pretty critical purpose in your childhood development, but as you get older, that friendship gets a little sour. One of DHT’s less-than-stellar characteristics is that the hormone plays a major role in male pattern baldness (aka male pattern hair loss).
You’re wondering when to take finasteride for hair growth, and we’re over here talking about male reproductive hormones. Allow us to explain.
DHT is crucial for the differentiation of male reproductive organs. Basically, you have your pal DHT to thank for forming your privates.
But when it comes to hair loss, DHT shortens the hair growth cycle and shrinks hair follicles. That’s where finasteride comes in— it blocks testosterone from converting to DHT, so you hold onto more hair.
Keep reading to learn about the best time of day to take finasteride, how to take finasteride and what other South Park characters are male hormones — just kidding, that analogy ends here, but PC Principal is testosterone, obviously.
When You Should Start Taking Finasteride?
Should I take finasteride at all? That question needs an answer before you figure out the best time of day to take finasteride for hair loss. To answer it, you need to know the basics of how finasteride works. So back to DHT for a second.
DHT shortens the hair growth cycle and shrinks hair follicles. In the simplest terms, finasteride (the active ingredient in the prescription oral hair loss medication Propecia) is a hair loss treatment that reduces DHT levels in the body.
If DHT is partially to blame for male pattern hair loss — which it usually is, as male androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men, affecting 30 to 50 percent by age 50 — then finasteride can help.
Here’s what to know about when to start taking finasteride as part of your hair loss routine, including dosage information, the best time of day to take it, how to store it and what to do if you miss a dose.
Start at the First Sign of Hair Loss
The earlier you begin taking finasteride after noticing hair loss, the more effective the medication will be at preserving and protecting your hair.
It’s typically most effective if you start taking it as soon as you see hair loss. If you’re not sure it’s noticeable, ask any kid in your life — they won’t hesitate to tell you when something’s up with your hair…or your outfit, or your body.
If you notice any thinning or hair loss, it’s a good time to start taking finasteride.
Manage Your Expectations
Though finasteride is highly effective, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
In the treatment of androgenic alopecia, finasteride doesn’t reduce DHT by 100 percent — hair loss is slowed, but it won’t necessarily stop completely.
So if you have advanced hair loss — obvious thinning across the entire scalp or a bald spot, for example — it’s unlikely finasteride will restore all your hair.
Many men with hair loss experience regrowth after they start using finasteride, but it’s not a guarantee. In a 10-year study of 523 Japanese men, 91 percent experienced improvements in hair growth while using finasteride.
Be Patient
It usually takes several months to see results from finasteride.
After you start taking this medication, you’ll need to be patient and consistent. Taking progress photos of your hair each week to observe incremental chances can be encouraging.
Once you start seeing effects, they should last as long as you continue taking the medication. In the 10-year study mentioned above, 99 percent of the men had no worsening of hair loss during treatment.
An additional study from 2003 found that 90 percent of men treated with finasteride either maintained or sustained visible improvement in scalp coverage over five years. Meanwhile, 75 percent of those who received the placebo showed visible deterioration in scalp coverage.
Other Considerations and Tips for Taking Finasteride for Hair Growth
Find details about finasteride side effects, the potential risks and its intended use below.
Finasteride Side Effects
Side effects of finasteride are rare but possible.
The most common finasteride side effects are primarily bedroom related, and they typically resolve quickly after stopping the medication.
A 2012 review on finasteride and bedroom side effects showed that adverse effects affected 2.1 to 3.8 percent of those studied. ED was most commonly reported, followed by issues with climax and loss of libido.
There are very few, if any, serious side effects. If you’re curious about post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), side effects that continue even after stopping the medication, read this comprehensive guide to finasteride side effects.
Finasteride Is Approved for Use in Men
Topical finasteride is approved for men only, and the pills shouldn’t be handled by pregnant women due to their teratogenic effects.
If you use topical finasteride spray at night and share a bed with a partner who’s pregnant or trying to become pregnant, be sure to wash your hands after applying the medication. Also, use separate pillows (and if you’re trying to make that baby, remind her not to touch your hair).
Common Signs of Hair Loss
You’d think hair loss would be pretty black and white — you’re either losing hair or you’re not). But it’s actually not that clear-cut, especially since a “normal” hair loss of between 50 and 100 strands per day is to be expected.
Knowing the common signs of hair loss is key because the earlier you recognize what’s happening, the sooner you can start treating it.
Maybe you take a trip to the Cloud to investigate how your hair has changed in photos over the past couple of years (a truly humbling experience). Or perhaps you’re just paying closer attention to the hair on your pillow and in the shower drain.
In any case, there are some easy ways to notice the common signs of hair loss:
-
A receding hairline, often beginning with temple hair loss
-
Noticeable thinning of hair with lack of density, known as diffuse thinning
-
More of your scalp is visible
-
Excessive hair loss after showering or brushing
-
A difference in how your hair looks in photos
-
Hair that takes longer than usual to grow (average growth is about one centimeter per month)
-
Your barber or hair stylist mentions something
To dive deeper, check out this guide to the early signs of balding.
When Is the Best Time to Take Finasteride?
When it comes to when to take finasteride, the choice is yours and yours alone.
The best time to take finasteride is whatever time you’ll remember to take it consistently. For some, that may be first thing in the morning or whenever you take your vitamins. Others may prefer to take finasteride with dinner or before bed.
There’s no recommended time of day that’s best to take finasteride, but try to take it at a consistent time daily (and try not to miss doses). This consistency helps with the absorption, metabolism and excretion of the medication.
It can be helpful to set an alarm if you’re not good at remembering to take it at the same time each day. (Ask any woman who’s taken the birth control pill, and she’ll likely tell you about her daily phone alarm).
What If I Miss a Finasteride Dose?
Don’t sweat it if you miss a dose of finasteride.
If it’s been fewer than six hours since you were supposed to take it, take your finasteride as soon as you remember. If it’s been more than six hours, just take it the next day at your usual time — and don’t double up on doses to make up for the missed one.
How to Take Finasteride for Hair Loss
There are a few things to keep in mind about how to take finasteride for hair loss. This includes dosage considerations and other steps you can take alongside finasteride to make its effects even more pronounced.
Pay Attention to Dosage
Finasteride for BPH is typically sold under its original brand name, Proscar. It’s FDA-approved at 1 milligram (mg) once daily, taken with or without meals. As mentioned, it should be taken around the same time every day.
Higher doses of finasteride, usually 5mg, are approved for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (or BPH, an enlarged prostate). Taking a higher dosage for hair loss won’t increase the effects, but it will increase the risk of side effects.
Store Finasteride Properly
Finasteride should be stored at room temperature — we know this varies widely depending on if you’re asking your mom or that one friend who’s obsessed with saving on his heating bill.
The medication should be stored between 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and, like all prescription drugs, out of reach of children. Keep the container closed and avoid contact with moisture.
Know Finasteride Isn’t Preventative
We applaud you for being proactive. But there’s no evidence that taking finasteride before you see hair loss does any good, even if baldness runs in the family.
Start taking finasteride at the first sign of hair loss — but not before.
Consider Combining Finasteride and Minoxidil
Though finasteride is effective when it flies solo, the best finasteride results are often seen when it’s used in combination with topical minoxidil.
Finasteride and minoxidil (generic for Rogaine) are like the power couple of the hair loss world: Each is impressive on its own, but when paired together, they’re nearly unstoppable.
Minoxidil and finasteride complement each other but work differently.
Minoxidil is a topical treatment — (there’s 5% minoxidil foam and 2% minoxidil liquid solution). Unlike finasteride, minoxidil isn’t a DHT blocker. Instead, it increases blood flow to the scalp, flooding it with oxygen and nutrients needed for hair health.
A 2019 meta-analysis on the efficacy of minoxidil and finasteride found that the combo of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil was more effective and as safe as using one or the other on its own.
Both medications can be used topically as well. Studies show that new hair count is similar in people treated with topical finasteride versus finasteride tablets.
Use Thickening or Volumizing Shampoo
You’re already using shampoo, so you might as well make it work for you — this is a good time to finally say goodbye to your two-in-one shampoo and conditioner.
In addition to finasteride, try a volumizing shampoo and conditioner or a thickening shampoo.
Some thickening shampoos contain saw palmetto, a plant extract that works like finasteride and can partially block DHT. Volumizing products contain ingredients like biotin, argan oil and rice protein to strengthen and add volume to your hair — kind of like turning the dial way up on your scalp.
The Final Word on When to Take Finasteride
TL;DR? We get it — you’re busy.
Here’s a recap on the best time of day to take finasteride:
-
When to take finasteride is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Take it at whatever time of day is convenient for you — as long as you can realistically take it at that time each day (so don’t start taking it at lunchtime on a Saturday if you work in an office the rest of the week).
-
Finasteride is FDA-approved at 1 milligram for hair loss and can be taken with or without food. Higher-dose finasteride tablets (typically 5 milligrams) are intended to treat BPH (prostate enlargement).
-
Finasteride works even better when paired with its buddy minoxidil — taking the two together is a popular combination therapy for hair loss. One easy way to pair finasteride with minoxidil is to use topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.
-
Remember, you’re playing the long game with finasteride. It’ll take several months before you start noticing the effects of daily finasteride (the FDA says daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefits are observed). If you’re not seeing further hair loss at the three-month mark, you’re on the right track.
-
After you start taking finasteride, you’ll need to use it every day to maintain the results and keep your hair. Don’t sweat the occasional missed dose, but try not to make a habit of it.
If you have questions about the side effects of finasteride or when to take it, seek medical advice from a dermatologist or another healthcare provider.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
More from MediaFeed:
7 Common Causes of Hair Loss for Men (& How to Treat Them)
What probably comes to mind when you think of hair loss, or alopecia, is an older man with a receding hairline and a bald spot on the top of his head. But from male pattern baldness to hair loss caused by autoimmune conditions, vitamin deficiencies, or stress, hair loss comes in many patterns and affect men of all ages.
You might be thinking, “Why is my hair thinning?” or “Why is my hair falling out?” More importantly, you might be wondering if your hair falling out is permanent or if there’s something you can do to treat it.
Some forms of hair loss can actually be reversed, and the sooner you start, the better the outcome.
So let’s dive into all things hair loss — its symptoms, causes, treatments, and more.
LightFieldStudios/istockphoto
Classically, symptoms of hair loss in men include a receding hairline (particularly over the temples, creating a characteristic “M” shape) and signs of balding at the top of the head, referred to as the crown.
But, as we mentioned, this only represents one of many types of hair loss (more on these below).
Hair loss can be sudden or gradual. In can come in waves or happen in stages. It can be permanent or temporary. In some cases, hair loss might not be a complete loss of hair. Instead, the hairs get thinner, shorter and lighter.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, and it comes with many potential signs and symptoms. Some of the common ones include:
-
Hair loss on different parts of the head or body
-
Thinning hair
-
Patchy hair loss
In some cases, hair loss can also include:
-
Itching
-
Irritation
-
Redness
-
Scaling
-
Oozing
-
Pain
-
Burning
-
Tenderness
If your hair loss is related to a medical condition or vitamin deficiency, you could also experience:
-
Skin changes
-
Nail changes
-
Other symptoms
Lastly, depending on how you feel about your hair loss, you may have symptoms such as:
-
Stress
-
Distress
-
Low self-esteem or confidence
-
Depression
DepositPhotos.com
As you can guess, each type of hair loss has its own causes.
Broadly speaking, the different types of hair loss can be broken down into two categories: non-scarring alopecia and scarring alopecia (also called cicatricial alopecia).
With non-scarring alopecia, hair follicles are preserved, meaning hair loss is potentially reversible. With scarring alopecia, hair follicles are irreversibly damaged, leading to permanent hair loss.
Of the two, non-scarring alopecia is the more common. Let’s take a look at each common cause of hair loss.
seb_ra/istockphoto
Male pattern hair loss — also called androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia — is a progressive type of hair loss. It’s mostly influenced by genetics, meaning the genes you get from your parents determine if you develop this type of hair loss.
In the case of male pattern hair loss, in susceptible men, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (or DHT), which is a derivative of testosterone, causes hair follicles to undergo a process called follicular miniaturization.
Follicular miniaturization is what it sounds like — hair follicles get smaller, and the hairs they produce get thinner and lighter. Technically speaking, hairs transform from terminal hairs (the longer, darker hairs like the ones typically found on the scalp) to vellus hairs (the tinier hairs on the rest of the body).
As the hair follicle shrinks, it also loses attachment to the arrector pili muscles under the skin that help hold it in place.
This whole process takes time. If you start addressing male pattern hair loss early on, hair loss can be delayed or even stopped completely. In some cases, it can even be reversed and you can regrow hair. But if the process is allowed to go on for too long, hair follicles can reach a point of no return.
In women, this form of hereditary hair loss is called female pattern hair loss.
Chris Curry/Istockphoto
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when hair falls out rapidly.
It’s caused by stress (such as by experiencing a trauma) or a sudden change to the body, such as being in an accident, getting surgery, weight loss, having a change in your hormones (like during menopause, in women), childbirth, having an illness or starting a new medication.
This type of hair loss is usually temporary.
Maridav/istockphoto
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that results in patches of complete hair loss. It’s an autoimmune hair loss disease, so it’s caused by the body’s immune system attacking your own hair follicles.
Suriyawut Suriya/istockphoto
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that can occur from certain hairstyles. When hair is pulled too tight repeatedly or for a prolonged period (like in tight braids or ponytails), it can result in areas of hair loss where the hair is being strained. While certain hairstyles can cause traction alopecia, wearing a hat is not considered a cause of hair loss.
Deagreez / iStock
Some vitamin deficiencies, such as a biotin deficiency and iron deficiency, can lead to hair loss or unhealthy hair.
(Related: 12 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth)
DepositPhotos
Trichotillomania, also called hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition in which a person habitually and compulsively pulls out their own hair. The hair can be pulled directly from the scalp, but can also include other parts of the body including the eyebrows, arms, legs, and elsewhere.
Chris6 / iStock
Other medical conditions can cause hair loss, such as psoriasis, syphilis, thyroid disease or a fungal infection like ringworm (tinea capitis). Depending on the medical condition and severity, these may also be scarring alopecias.
dragana991 / iStock
Hair loss can sometimes be a side effect of medication. If you suspect this is the case, talk to your healthcare provider — don’t stop taking any medication without their guidance. Other medical interventions can also cause hair loss, such as chemotherapy, which is associated with anagen effluvium.
Hazal Ak/istockphoto
There are many different kinds of scarring alopecia. In these cases, hair follicles are damaged by inflammation. Types include but aren’t limited to frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris, discoid lupus erythematosus, folliculitis decalvans, dissecting cellulitis and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.
Victor Manuel Mulero Ramirez/istockphoto
Just like there are many types of hair loss, there are also many different risk factors.
Chief among them is your genes. Having a history of hair loss on either side of the family — your mother’s or your father’s — can increase your risk of experiencing hair loss.
Other risk factors include:
-
Advanced age
-
Poor diet
-
Having a medical condition that can cause or contribute to hair loss
-
Taking a medication that can cause hair loss as a side effect
-
Stress
-
Certain hairstyles that pull on the hair
-
A sudden change, such as something major happening physically or emotionally
Delmaine Donson/istockphoto
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. So, if you’re waking up with just a few hairs on your pillow or you see some hairs stuck in your comb after using it, there usually isn’t cause for concern — this is normal hair shedding.
However, if you notice a sudden change in how much hair you’re losing, feel like your hairline has changed or your hair feels thinner when you run your hands through it, it can be time to talk to a healthcare provider.
In some cases, you might not be the first person to notice hair falling out. A friend might tell you that the hair at the top of your head looks thinner, or after looking at an old photo of you, a friend might say it looks like your forehead has gotten larger. These can also be signs that your body is changing, and a conversation with a healthcare professional is a good idea.
You should also contact a provider if your symptoms are sudden or if you’re experiencing other symptoms along with your hair loss, like irritation, redness, flaking, skin and nail changes and more.
Ekaterina Ilchenko/istockphoto
To diagnose hair loss, a medical professional will typically start by asking you about your symptoms and taking a medical history.
They may ask things like:
-
How long you’ve been experiencing hair loss
-
If you have hair loss in your family
-
If you recently started taking any new medications or supplements.
Next, a healthcare provider might do a physical exam in which they pay close attention to your hair, skin and nails.
During this physical exam, they’ll look for signs of what could be causing your hair loss and other skin conditions you might have. There are also specific tests they might do, like the pull test. The pull test involves pulling several hairs at once to see how many come out.
In some cases — like if you have very classic male pattern hair loss — additional testing might not be necessary.
In others, your healthcare provider may run additional tests — like a scalp biopsy, blood tests or microscopic hair exams — to help figure out what might be causing your hair loss.
LightFieldStudios/istockphoto
The specific medical treatment for your hair loss will depend on the type of hair loss you have.
For many, medication is the right approach for treating hair loss. And there are lots of treatment options to choose from. The two most common medications used for treating male pattern hair loss in men are finasteride and minoxidil. They can be used separately or together. So let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Daria Bulgakova /istockphoto
Finasteride is a type of prescription medication known as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. Remember DHT, the hormone that can lead to follicular miniaturization and male pattern hair loss? Well, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Finasteride is available as a generic medication or as the brand name Propecia, which is FDA-approved to treat male pattern hair loss. It’s also available in a higher dose as a generic and as the brand name Proscar.
Proscar is FDA-approved to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate.
There’s another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor called dutasteride that’s also FDA-approved to treat the symptoms of BPH, but is sometimes used off-label to treat hair loss in men.
Propecia, or generic finasteride, is a pill intended to be taken daily. It is also sometimes found in compounded medications — alone or combined with other active ingredients — and in a topical form that can be applied directly to the scalp.
Some men may prefer this form of finasteride because it reduces the risk of experiencing unwanted finasteride side effects, such as intimacy side effects (including decreased libido and ED).
(Related: Finasteride for Hair Loss: Side Effects, Dosage & More)
stefanamer / iStock
Minoxidil is the active ingredient found in the brand name Rogaine. It is a topical medication that is available over the counter, and it comes in different strengths — 2% and 5% — and in various forms — as a topical solution or foam.
Researchers aren’t entirely sure of how minoxidil works, but it’s thought that it increases blood flow to hair follicles and could prolong the anagen phase (growth phase of the hair growth cycle) of a hair.
Recently, there has also been a lot of buzz about oral minoxidil. Oral minoxidil is an FDA-approved blood pressure medication, but research shows it can effectively be used off-label to treat hair loss.
Like all medications, both finasteride and minoxidil can cause side effects. They also aren’t appropriate for everyone and could interact with other medications you’re taking. Keep your healthcare provider up to date with all of your medications and medical conditions.
(Related: How Much Does Rogaine (Minoxidil) Cost?)
DepositPhotos.com
While finasteride and minoxidil are the most common medications used for hair loss and the only ones specifically FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss, other interventions can also be effective. The exact treatment depends on the type of hair loss you are experiencing — some of these treatments can be effective for male pattern hair loss, while others are better for other hair loss types.
-
Ketoconazole, an antifungal medication, has some activity against 5-alpha-reductase (similar to how finasteride works).
-
Spironolactone, another blood pressure medication, can be used to treat hair loss in women because of its effects on hormones.
-
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses a laser, typically over several treatment sessions, to stimulate hair growth.
-
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) involves injections of your own blood components to prevent hair loss and promote new growth.
-
Other injections, such as corticosteroids, can be given as a potential treatment.
-
Supplements like biotin (vitamin B7), vitamin E, saw palmetto and more. Research on the efficacy of supplements for hair loss is generally weak or mixed, so we still need to learn more before these can be considered hair loss “treatments.”
In general, medications and treatments to treat hair loss and promote hair growth can take time to work — typically several months. In some cases, it can also appear that things are getting worse before they get better.
And if all of this doesn’t work for you, surgery can be an option, too. Different types of hair transplantation surgery include follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit extraction (FUE). To learn more about whether hair transplant surgery is right for you, talk to a healthcare provider.
Lastly, let’s not forget about hair tattoos, wigs and toupees. Is it your natural hair? No. But can it be just as stylish? Yes!
koldo studio/istockphoto
Hair loss is a BIG topic. It affects many people. There are many different types. There are many different causes. There are many different treatments. It seems like it would be easiest just to avoid hair loss in the first place. So, is that possible? Can you prevent hair loss?
Unfortunately, preventing hair loss altogether just isn’t in the cards for some people. Nearly everyone’s hair will thin with age and, for a large part of the population, genetics determines what you get to keep on your head.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do. If you’re concerned about hair loss, try to:
-
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
-
Manage stress
-
Use hair care products that aren’t damaging to your hair and scalp
-
Avoid hairstyles that tightly pull on your hair
-
Cut back on unhealthy habits, like smoking
-
Treat other health conditions you might have
And if you notice your hair is falling out and want to do something about it, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. For some kinds of hair loss, the sooner you intervene, the better — and you could not only prevent further hair loss but potentially even regrow some new hair.
You can go to your primary care provider or a dermatologist, or you can connect with a healthcare provider online from the comfort of your own home and start addressing hair loss today.
When it’s that easy, why wait? A fuller head of hair — if you want it — might be just around the corner.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
LENblR/istockphoto
RollingCamera/istockphoto
Featured Image Credit: KucherAV / iStock.
