How can you tell if a medication is truly working? The answer requires patience for many, even when we wish for instant results. When combating hair loss, monitoring your progress while using Finasteride can clarify how well your treatment plan is performing. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect before and after starting Finasteride.
Before Starting Finasteride
If you’re exploring Finasteride, you’ve noticed changes to your hair that raise concerns. For some, these changes might be subtle, like spotting more hairs on your pillow or increased shedding in the shower. For others, the signs may be more defined—such as a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, or visible scalp under bright lighting.
Other signs to watch include sensations of increased scalp exposure, such as your scalp feeling hotter under the sun or light reflecting more prominently off it in photos. Regardless of the severity, realising the change often prompts the need to act.
This is where Finasteride comes into play. After contacting a service like Sons, you’ll begin with a consultation to assess the extent of your hair loss, often measured using the Norwood Scale. From here, expert prescribing partners might create a personalised treatment plan that could include oral Finasteride, Minoxidil, or a combination. What’s next? Results take time, so understanding what happens post-treatment is essential.
After Starting Finasteride
One of the most reliable ways to track the progress of Finasteride is by documenting your hair through photos. Capturing weekly images from the day you start taking Finasteride up to the one-year mark can provide clear insights into its performance over time.
Your First Few Months (0–3 Months): Initial Shedding
During the initial months, some men may notice light shedding. Don’t panic—this is a natural part of the process! Early shedding is often a positive sign, indicating that older, weaker hairs are making way for more substantial, healthier growth. It’s common for this phase to be misunderstood as a side effect, but this isn’t the case.
Early Progress (3–6 Months): Subtle Enhancements
Between months three and six, you likely begin to notice subtle changes. For instance, sections of your hair may appear slightly denser, with improved texture. These early gains are an excellent motivator to stick with the treatment plan and remain consistent with the oral tablets.
Significant Results (6–12 Months): Holding the Line
You may see more apparent improvements at the six-month mark, such as noticeably thicker hair or less scalp visibility in thinning areas. It’s also important to recognise that stopping the progression of hair loss entirely is an enormous win. Finasteride protects and preserves the hair you already have by halting further miniaturisation.
Consistency is the key to achieving results. By following your prescribed regimen without interruption, you may continue to see progress at the nine- to 12-month mark, including
stabilisation or even slight regrowth in problem areas.
Tracking the Details
Beyond images, there are other signs to monitor as you evaluate Finasteride’s impact:
- Hair fall reduction: Fewer strands left on your pillow in the morning or your comb after brushing.
- Textural improvements: Hair strands may feel healthier and more robust to the touch.
- Scalp coverage: Gradual improvements in density, creating the appearance of fuller hair.
Remember, the goal of Finasteride is to effectively slow or stop the progression of hair loss. While regrowth can vary depending on individual factors, maintaining your current hair is a substantial outcome.
Long-term Commitment to Hair Health
Hair restoration is not a race—it’s a commitment. As Finasteride works over time, patience and consistent adherence to the treatment plan are critical. Some results may plateau after a year, but the continued benefits remain invaluable for maintaining hair health.
Documenting your Finasteride transformation through photos and careful observation can help evaluate progress realistically. This approach helps manage expectations and celebrate visible victories along the way.
For additional support and expert supplies, explore all that Sons offers to help you optimise your hair recovery journey.
