How To Use Finasteride For Hair Loss: A Complete Guide

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on March 25, 2022

Did you know that you lose 50 to 100 hairs daily? When you start losing more hair, you may notice thinning or areas of baldness. This can negatively affect your mental and emotional health, and we get it! 

Maybe you have started researching hair loss and come across finasteride. Have you wondered 'how to use finasteride for hair loss?'

Luckily, we have put together a complete guide on how to use finasteride and everything else you need to know about hair loss, so keep reading for more information and order finasteride from Canada without worry! 

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Table of contents:

What Is Finasteride? 

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Its main action is inhibiting testosterone conversion into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Research suspects that DHT holds some responsibility for androgenic alopecia or hair loss in men. 

Finasteride can slow DHT production, but it doesn't appear to stop it completely. In these studies, 1 mg dosages were used, and increasing the dosage did not directly correlate with more DHT reduction. 

If you have noticed a sudden change in your hair after using finasteride, you may ask your doctor about it. Hair loss can sometimes indicate other medical concerns. Here are some of the most common hair loss causes:

1. Hereditary
2. Age-related
3. Cancer
4. Stress
5. Hairstyles
6. Hormonal imbalances
7. Specific medications
8. Thyroid disease
9. Low biotin levels
10. Diet

Genetics is the most common form of hair loss for men and women. Luckily, finasteride works on the root cause of hair loss from a hormonal standpoint. Yet, it has also been an extremely stressful past (couple) of years, and your hair may have taken its brunt. 

Don't worry; give it time, and it should start growing back without needing medical intervention. 

Read more: Finasteride vs Dutasteride

What Types of Finasteride Are Available? 

Finasteride comes in an oral pill form. It is also known as Propecia, which is the brand name of this drug. Currently, there are no other types of finasteride or Propecia available for hair loss. 

How Should You Take Finasteride Pills?

Have you wondered how to take finasteride or the best time to take finasteride for hair loss? You should take finasteride once daily with a glass of water. Oral medications are one of the most commonly delivered medication routes. 

It is absorbed through the small intestine and metabolized by the liver. Medications are usually easier on your stomach if taken with some food and at the same time each day unless otherwise specified by your physician. 

How To Use Finasteride for Hair Loss

Have you searched for 'how to use finasteride?' If you deal with male pattern baldness, you can talk to your doctor about options such as finasteride or other forms of treatment.

Studies for finasteride for hair loss found that oral pills can help regenerate hair follicles and have fewer side effects than other treatments. Combined with other treatments, it may help some stubborn baldness. 

How long will you take it? Unfortunately, hormones play a critical role in some types of baldness, and stopping the medication can bring DHT levels back to pre-medication baselines. 

The good news is that after two years of taking finasteride, over 80% of study participants showed reduced hair loss. Finasteride may not start working right away. Like many other prescription medications, it can take six to nine months before noticing any changes in hair loss. 

There are other natural remedies for hair loss that you can try at home. UPGUYS has a list of safe and natural remedies you can use before talking to your physician about finasteride, including:

1. Coconut oil
2. Castor oil
3. Pumpkin seed oil
4. Rosemary oil
5. Fatty fish
6. Nuts and seeds
7. Iron
8. Coffee
9. Scalp massage

Luckily, many of these foods, oils, and alternative treatments can positively affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being! For example, a scalp massage can reduce stress even if it doesn't directly help hair growth. 

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What To Take and What Not To Take With Finasteride?

Finasteride for hair loss has shown positive results for male pattern balding. When addressing what to take with finasteride, minoxidil might pop up on your search engine. 

Minoxidil is a topical solution that stimulates hair follicle growth. It helps bring more blood flow to your scalp and facilitates thicker hair growth. Two and five percent solutions were used in studies with male pattern baldness. 

Men showed the most positive effects for combating baldness with five percent topical solutions, but a physician will provide you with the best recommendations and prescription. 

Fortunately, many physicians combine finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss solutions. Typically, there aren't any finasteride interactions when asking what not to take with finasteride. 

Some drugs can counteract its effectiveness, so follow up with your doctor first on all your prescription medications. Finasteride is also not recommended for women. 

Is finasteride safe? So far, it is safe for long-term usage, but if you start experiencing uncomfortable side effects, you should talk to your doctor.

When combined with other medications, you may notice less effect on hair loss. Some of these side effects include:

1. Decreased libido
2. Rash
3. Depression 

In more severe instances, people who stop taking finasteride may experience post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). PFS is still being researched for better understanding. Some of the lingering effects of stopping treatment could include sexual, neurological, or other deficits.

These side effects seem localized in patients with susceptibility, and for most men, you won't have any problems.

Key Takeaway

Before asking the question, 'how to use finasteride for hair loss,' you should talk to a doctor about your concerns. A qualified physician can help determine the root cause (no pun intended) of your hair loss and the best course of treatment. 

Read more: The Finasteride Cost In Canada