Deciding to start hair loss treatment is a big step, and you might have some questions about what to expect. Before you order your first course of finasteride or minoxidil, it helps to know what the first few months will look like, including how long finasteride takes to work and why you might lose more hair before it starts to fill in again. Here are five key things worth knowing before you start hair loss treatment.
1. It starts with the right diagnosis
Not all hair loss is male pattern baldness, and treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are only licensed for androgenetic alopecia. Hair loss caused by stress, illness, weight loss or iron deficiency is usually temporary and often resolves on its own, so you should consider getting checked out by your doctor before committing to a long-term treatment.1
The NHS recommends seeing a GP if you're worried about your hair loss, particularly if it's sudden, patchy or comes with other symptoms, so the right cause can be identified before you start.1 This is also why prescription-only hair loss treatments involve a consultation before anything is dispensed. A pharmacist or prescriber needs to confirm the pattern of loss matches androgenetic alopecia and check the treatment is suitable for you.
2. Results take months, not days
Finasteride doesn't work overnight. The product information states that three to six months of daily use are generally needed before any stabilisation of hair loss becomes apparent, with fuller results usually judged at around 12 months.2
It's one of the most common reasons people give up too early - expecting a visible difference within a few weeks, seeing nothing, and assuming it's not working. In reality, the medicine is doing its job internally from the first dose, even though new hair takes time to grow to a visible length. It is also worth knowing that finasteride only works for as long as you keep taking it. If treatment is stopped, its effects begin to reverse within six months and are typically back to baseline by nine to twelve months.2
3. You might shed before you see an improvement
It sounds counterintuitive, but noticing more hair coming out in the first few weeks doesn't mean the treatment is failing. Both minoxidil and finasteride can trigger a temporary increase in shedding as resting (telogen) hairs are pushed out early to make way for new growth.3
This shedding phase is usually mild and settles within a few weeks, though it can occasionally continue for a couple of months.3 Think of it as your hair follicles resetting their growth cycle rather than a sign of worsening hair loss. If heavy shedding carries on for longer than this, or you're unsure whether what you are seeing is normal, it's worth flagging to a pharmacist rather than stopping treatment abruptly.
4. Daily consistency matters more than the brand
Taking finasteride at the same time every day matters more than which specific brand or formulation you use. There's no evidence that a higher dose improves results, so sticking to the prescribed 1mg daily rather than doubling up after a missed dose is the better approach.2
Missed doses here and there will not undo months of progress, but frequent gaps can slow things down. Many people find it easier to build the tablet into an existing daily habit, such as brushing their teeth, or to set up a repeat prescription so a delivery arrives before the current pack runs out. The same logic applies if you are using Regaine alongside finasteride. Minoxidil needs to be applied consistently, usually twice daily, to keep working.
5. Combining treatments can work better than either alone
Finasteride and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, which is why many men see better results using both together rather than choosing one over the other. Finasteride lowers the DHT that shrinks hair follicles, while minoxidil improves blood flow to the scalp and extends the hair growth phase.4
A recent review of randomised trials found that combining topical minoxidil with finasteride produced greater improvements in hair density and thickness than minoxidil alone.4 It's not the right approach for everyone, and a pharmacist can help you weigh up whether starting with one treatment or both makes sense for your pattern of hair loss and any other medication you take. Our comparison of minoxidil and finasteride breaks down how each option works if you are still deciding where to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does finasteride take to work?
Generally, three to six months of daily use are needed before any
stabilisation of hair loss becomes noticeable, with fuller results usually
judged at around 12 months. Finasteride works from the first dose, but
new hair needs time to grow to a visible length.
Is it normal to shed more hair after starting finasteride or minoxidil?
Yes. Both treatments can trigger a temporary increase in shedding in the
first few weeks, as resting hairs are pushed out early to make way for new
growth. This shedding phase is usually mild and settles within a few
weeks, though it can occasionally continue for a couple of months.
Can you take finasteride and minoxidil together?
Yes. Finasteride and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, and
evidence from randomised trials shows the combination can produce greater
improvements in hair density than minoxidil alone. A pharmacist can
advise whether combining them suits your pattern of hair loss.
Do you need a prescription for finasteride in the UK?
Yes. Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine in the UK and is not
routinely available on the NHS for hair loss, so it is usually accessed
through a private prescription following an online or in-person
consultation.
When should you start finasteride?
Finasteride is licensed for the early stages of male pattern hair loss; its
effectiveness in advanced baldness or in hair loss limited to the temples
has not been established. For that reason, it is generally started as
soon as thinning is noticed and confirmed as androgenetic alopecia, rather
than left until later.
How will you know if finasteride is working?
The earliest sign is usually less hair falling out day to day, rather than
visible regrowth, which tends to appear later. Comparing photos taken in
the same lighting every few months is a more reliable way to track change
than judging it day to day.
References
- NHS. Hair loss. nhs.uk
- Finasteride 1mg film-coated tablets. Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). medicines.org.uk
- Ho CH, Zito PM. Androgenetic Alopecia. In: StatPearls / Endotext. National Center for Biotechnology Information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing topical minoxidil-finasteride combination with minoxidil monotherapy for male androgenetic alopecia. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.