What is Propecia?

Propecia is a branded medicine on prescription that comes in daily tablets and contains the active ingredient Finasteride. Finasteride is a Type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and is usually the first port of call for people seeking effective treatment for hair loss. It is used primarily to treat male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. 

How does Propecia work for hair loss?

Hair loss is a natural part of the hair’s life cycle for men and women. However, in men, a change in the way scalp cells react to testosterone can lead to thinning hair, which can eventually result in baldness.

Propecia is used to treat common male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This condition, often passed down through families, makes hair follicles shrink over time because they are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 

A natural body process changes testosterone, a male hormone, into a different hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) using an enzyme (a type of protein) called 5-alpha reductase. Hair follicles are sensitive to DHT, and with increased exposure to the hormone, the follicles narrow. When levels of DHT get too high, it can make hair follicles shrink. This means that every time a hair falls out naturally, the new hair grows back a little bit narrower. Eventually, the hair is so fine that it can’t break through the surface of the skin.

Propecia works by blocking this enzyme, which reduces the levels of DHT. Lower DHT levels help hair follicles to grow back to their normal size, leading to a thicker and healthier head of hair. Then hair can grow again like normal. Research shows that 4-6 months after taking

Propecia, up to 60% less DHT is present in the scalp. This works to regrow hair in 9 out of 10 men with male pattern baldness.

How effective is Propecia in treating hair loss?

Clinical studies have found Propecia to be very effective in treating male pattern hair loss. For example, in a major study over 5 years, 90% of men who took Propecia every day either kept their existing hair or saw hair regrowth. This was much higher than the 25% of men who saw these effects while taking a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient). Additionally, over 66% of men using Propecia for 2 years observed at least 50% more visible hair, whereas only 7% of the placebo group had similar results. So, the evidence shows that Propecia enables the vast majority of men taking it to regrow hair successfully.

How long does Propecia take to work?

Like many treatments for progressive conditions, Propecia works best when started early. However, positive effects are often seen after 3-6 months of consistent daily use. It may then take 9-12 months to see the full desired response in terms of halted hair loss combined with noticeable regrowth. Maximum hair regrowth from Propecia may take 1-2 years before becoming evident. So, while Propecia cannot work overnight, it does reliably spur improved hair growth over a period of months for most men.

Who benefits from Propecia?

• Men with diagnosed male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) - those with genetic hair loss and shrinking follicles
• Men in the early stages of balding who still have active, salvageable follicles
• Men with moderate to extensive hair loss focused on the anterior scalp region and crown
• Adults over age 18 with balding (safety/efficacy not established for teens)
• Not recommended for men who are already near or completely bald in the scalp area