Men often start thinking about treating hair loss at the start of summer, perhaps motivated by an unflattering selfie or the thought of an upcoming holiday when you want to look and feel great about yourself. One of the most popular hair-loss treatments is Propecia (cheap to buy online as finasteride).
This is a clinically proven and licenced medication that has shown measurable results in men who are affected by androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness (MPB). This is a genetic condition that usually starts to affect men in their twenties, increasing in severity as the decades progress.
By the age of thirty, about a third of all men will have some degree of MPB, growing to half of all men by the age of 50. It’s a common condition, and not medically serious, although it does increase the risk of developing skin cancer if the scalp is not adequately protected from the sun.
However, the psychological effects of hair loss should not be underestimated: it’s natural to want to look our best, and premature balding can lead to low self-esteem and loss of social confidence. These feelings can become particularly acute in the summer, when invitations are flying around for barbecues, weddings, pub nights and so on.
That’s why men often turn to hair loss treatments such as finasteride at this time of the year. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what results you will see by the end of the summer. Here’s what to know.
The hair regrowth timeline
Hair doesn’t grow very quickly: the average is about 1 to 1.5cm per month. Furthermore, it grows in a four-phase cycle, and at certain points in the cycle the new growth is not visible, because the hair has yet to emerge from the hair follicle and appear above the surface of the scalp.
Therefore, although finasteride gets to work as soon as you start taking it, the results take time to become evident.
Month one to two
During the first eight weeks of taking the hair loss medication, most men won’t see any visible regrowth of the hair. However, as the active ingredients circulate in your blood stream, you should notice that any active shedding of hair slows down or stops altogether. However, your hairline and crown will look much the same, and your hair won’t be thicker or fuller.
Occasionally, men may notice that shedding increases, but this is just a temporary phase as the weaker hairs fall out to make room for stronger regrowth.
Month three to four
The early results of the treatment will become evident in most cases. You may notice that new fine hairs appear along your hairline or at the crown of your head. These hairs will feel fine and soft, but over time they will become thicker and stronger. You might also notice an improvement in the texture and volume of your hair.
By the end of the summer, you should be able to see signs of regrowth, less shedding, and fuller coverage of your scalp. However, the full effects of finasteride typically take six to 12 months to emerge. It’s important to take the medication consistently, because as soon as you stop, the effects will start to reverse.
How does finasteride work?
Finasteride works by blocking the hormone responsible for shrinking the hair follicles in cases of MPB. It’s specifically designed to treat MPB and shouldn’t be used to treat hair loss that has other causes, so check in with your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take it.
The hormone in question is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which in genetically susceptible men, binds to the hair follicles in the scalp and causes them to shrink over time. Eventually, the hair follicle dies and stops producing new hair.
The active ingredients in finasteride are known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which work by stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT. Clinical trials have proved that finasteride reduces DHT levels in the bloodstream by 70 per cent, and helps to prevent further hair follicle shrinkage.
For many men, the psychological benefits of taking control of their hair loss kick in well before the full effect of the changes are seen, because it brings them a sense of hope and renewed self confidence.
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