How long does it take for finasteride and dutasteride to start working?

Summary

In this video, Kevin addresses a common concern about hair loss treatments, particularly finasteride. He explains the misconception that these drugs don't work when shedding occurs early on. Kevin dives into the science behind hair loss medications, the role of DHT, and how the hair cycle affects results. He emphasizes that shedding is actually a sign that the treatment is working and reassures viewers to give it time. The video highlights the importance of patience, understanding the hair cycle, and staying consistent with treatments like finasteride and dutasteride for the best long-term results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hair loss drugs like finasteride work quickly to suppress DHT levels but the effects on hair growth take time due to the slow hair cycle.
• 😀 The hair growth cycle consists of two main phases: the anagen (growth) phase and the telogen (resting) phase, with the latter being shorter.
• 😀 DHT levels drop immediately after taking finasteride, but noticeable hair growth improvements typically take at least 3 months to appear.
• 😀 Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT, causing hair loss.
• 😀 The shedding that occurs when starting finasteride is a good sign, indicating that the drug is working and the hair cycle is resetting.
• 😀 Hair loss treatments cause more synchronized hair cycles, which can lead to periodic shedding, especially in the first few months.
• 😀 Miniaturized hair follicles may regrow stronger hair, but this process depends on the individual's hair cycle and DHT suppression.
• 😀 It takes at least 6 months to determine if a hair loss treatment is working, and results will continue to improve up to 2 years or more.
• 😀 Finasteride has long-term effects on hair growth, with some people seeing continued improvement even after 10 years of use.
• 😀 Consistency is key when using hair loss treatments. Frequent changes in medication or dosage can cause confusion and hinder results.

Q & A

Why do some people experience increased hair shedding after starting finasteride?

Increased shedding is a common side effect when starting finasteride. This happens because the hair growth cycle is being reset. The drug shortens the telogen resting phase, causing more hairs than usual to enter the anagen growth phase and shed. This is a sign that the drug is working, not a reason to stop using it.

How quickly does finasteride start working after taking the first pill?

Finasteride starts working almost immediately after taking the first pill. It begins suppressing DHT levels within a few hours, but the visible effects on hair growth take longer because of the slow hair growth cycle.

What is the rate-limiting step in the effectiveness of hair loss drugs like finasteride?

The rate-limiting step is the hair growth cycle itself, which is slow. Hair loss treatments can reduce DHT levels quickly, but visible results depend on how quickly the hair passes through its various growth stages.

Why do finasteride and dutasteride cause DHT levels to remain suppressed for weeks, despite having a short half-life?

Both finasteride and dutasteride bind irreversibly to the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, permanently inactivating it. While they have short half-lives (5 to 6 hours for finasteride), the enzymes are slowly replaced in the body, so DHT suppression lasts for weeks.

How long does it typically take to see noticeable results from finasteride treatment?

Visible results from finasteride typically take at least 3 months to show, with maximum benefits often occurring after 6 months or more. The hair cycle is slow, and it takes time for the drug to impact the growth phases.

Can finasteride reverse hair miniaturization?

There is ongoing debate about whether finasteride can fully reverse hair miniaturization. Some studies suggest that it may not be able to restore miniaturized hairs to their normal size, but it can reboot the hair cycle, promoting hair regrowth and preventing further miniaturization.

How do the hair cycles impact the effectiveness of hair loss treatments?

The hair growth cycle is key to understanding how treatments like finasteride work. These drugs lengthen the anagen growth phase and shorten the telogen resting phase, leading to more hair in the growth phase and less in the shedding phase.

Why do some people experience hair loss despite taking dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a powerful drug, and while it reduces DHT levels significantly, it also causes a strong shedding phase, particularly in the hairline. This initial shed can seem like worsening hair loss, but it’s actually the drug clearing out weaker hairs to replace them with stronger ones.

Is it necessary to change the dosage or treatment after seeing initial shedding from finasteride?

No, shedding after starting treatment is not an indication that the drug is ineffective. In fact, it’s a good sign that the treatment is working. You should not change the dosage or stop the treatment based solely on shedding. It’s important to give the drug time to work, usually at least 6 months.

What role does the scalp DHT level play in hair loss treatment?

Scalp DHT is the critical factor in androgenic alopecia, as it contributes to hair follicle miniaturization. Finasteride works locally on the scalp by reducing DHT levels, which helps prevent further damage to the hair follicles and can promote regrowth.