Worried about hair loss? Medical therapies are the best place to start. Both finasteride and minoxidil create fantastic hair restoration results for men. They work particularly well if you’re in the early stages of male pattern baldness. According to one study, finasteride increased hair count by an average of 32 hairs per cm2, while minoxidil improved it by 26 hairs per cm2 on average [1].
So how do these finasteride and minoxidil results translate to visible hair growth? Here, we’ll look at some clinical photos of minoxidil and finasteride results, as well as some patient reports on their results from these hair loss treatments.
Finasteride and minoxidil results in numbers
- Finasteride increased hair growth in 80% of patients versus 52% of patients using minoxidil [2].
- Studies show that finasteride can increase hair count by an average of 11% over the first year of use [3].
- Finasteride has been shown to stop hair loss in 83% of men with crown hair loss and 70% of men with frontal hair loss [3].
- Minoxidil has been shown to reduce the area of balding in 62% of men, while stopping any further hair loss in 35% of men after a year of use [4].
- Combining finasteride and minoxidil can give you the best results. One study found that 94% of combination therapy users saw hair improvements, compared with 81% of finasteride users and 59% of minoxidil users [5].
Finasteride and minoxidil results in pictures
It’s clear that minoxidil and finasteride can generate hair regrowth (especially when used together). So let’s see how the stats above translate into visible hair changes.
Finasteride results
The series of images below shows finasteride results at baseline (A-B), after 6 months (C-D), after 2 years (E-F), and after 5 years (G-H). As these images show, finasteride can restore even moderate baldness to a full head of hair:
Image series showing finasteride results over 5 years. Source: [6].
The patient has much more hair density through his mid-scalp, and his hairline is thicker too.
Using finasteride long-term can help you sustain your hair growth for many years. This image series shows a man’s hair at baseline (A), then the progression of hair growth and maintenance over a 10-year period (B-K):
Hair growth progression from 0-10 years of finasteride use. Source: [6].
While this patient’s hair doesn’t appear to get any thicker after around year 4, it doesn’t start to thin, either. While finasteride users may see a plateau at some point, it’s clear that the drug can help you maintain your new growth.
You don’t have to wait years to see results from finasteride. These images show significant hair growth improvements in a matter of weeks:
Finasteride results in 3 patients at baseline, 10 weeks, and 20 weeks. Source: [7].
As one of the best standalone non-surgical treatments for hair loss, finasteride can create excellent hair restoration results. So how does minoxidil compare to finasteride?
Minoxidil results
These clinical photos show the results you can expect from consistent minoxidil use. The image below shows one person’s hair at baseline (A) and after 24 weeks of 5% minoxidil application (B):
Minoxidil results at baseline and after 24 weeks. Source: [8].
While minoxidil hasn’t eliminated this patient’s crown hair loss altogether, it has given him substantially more coverage and density.
The patient below has also seen fantastic gains from using minoxidil (although the study details are unclear) [7]:
Before and after minoxidil results. Source: [7].
Some researchers have also assessed the impact of cetosomal minoxidil. This is a special type of minoxidil preparation that contains nanoparticles to help minoxidil better penetrate the skin. Cetosomal minoxidil has a clear impact on hair growth, according to these clinical photos:
Results from cetosomal minoxidil before (a, c) and after 16 weeks of use (b, d). Source: [9].
It’s worth noting that most commercial minoxidil products are alcohol-based, not cetosomal. But these images show that enhancing skin penetration or absorption of minoxidil may improve your results. Microneedling, for example, can help boost hair growth when used alongside minoxidil [10].
Combined finasteride and minoxidil results
Combining minoxidil with finasteride will give you the best chances of regrowth. This combination is safe and effective for most men, so let’s see what results you can expect.
The image below shows the progression of this patient’s hair growth after using topical finasteride combined with minoxidil at baseline (A-B), then after 3 months (C-D) and 6 months (E-F). The close-up photos in particular show his substantial gains from using finasteride and minoxidil together:
Combined topical finasteride and minoxidil results over 6 months. Source: [11].
The sooner you start using these therapies, the more effective they’re likely to be. Used together, they can help you tackle the underlying cause of male pattern baldness and maximise the hair follicle blood supply to stimulate hair growth.
Patient finasteride and minoxidil results
So what do real patients say about their experience of using DrHair’s finasteride and minoxidil products?
37-year-old Jacob started to use finasteride after noticing increasing crown thinning:
“The results have been outstanding, I have noticed not only the hair loss has stopped, it has significantly thickened the area I had already lost. Highly recommended”
Michael, a 29-year-old man with male pattern baldness, decided to start taking finasteride alongside having a hair transplant:
“I found Hair Loss tablets were amazing working in tandem with my hair transplant to prevent further loss and thicken hairs that were thinning out.”
For the best possible finasteride and minoxidil results, you’ll want to combine these treatments. DrHair offers topical finasteride + minoxidil as a spray, which can help minimise finasteride side effects while enhancing hair growth.
Alternatively, use oral finasteride + minoxidil together for the ultimate regrowth combination. Just take one finasteride tablet each day and see how to apply minoxidil for the best results.
See what finasteride and minoxidil can do for your hair
Our range of hair loss products are designed to make hair regrowth accessible. If you’re starting to lose hair around your temples, hairline, or crown, try our minoxidil and finasteride products starting from just one month’s supply.
Test out your chosen treatment for side effects and any other concerns without taking out a lengthy subscription. And when you’re ready to subscribe, you’ll get the best prices from DrHair.
Buy finasteride and minoxidil directly from DrHair for fast, discreet shipping and the most flexible purchase options.
FAQs
Learn more about getting the best results from finasteride and minoxidil in our frequently asked questions.
Temporary hair loss from minoxidil and finasteride is a known side effect of these treatments. It happens because these drugs cause hairs in the resting phase to shed so they can enter the growth phase sooner. So while it may seem alarming, early shedding is actually a sign that the treatment is working.
You don’t need to take any action. Keep using the product as directed and the shedding will stop in a couple of weeks. Soon after that, you’ll start to see new healthy hair growth.
Many users start to see finasteride and minoxidil results within 3-6 months of use. Learn more about how long minoxidil takes to work and how long finasteride takes to work.
The most effective way to combine these treatments is to follow their individual use recommendations. Take one 1mg finasteride tablet each day, and apply 1 ml minoxidil twice daily.
Minoxidil side effects tend to be mild and localised. For example, you may experience redness and itchiness in the area of application, or develop a mild minoxidil-related rash.
Oral finasteride side effects can be more significant, although they are relatively uncommon. Side effects include sexual dysfunction, low mood, and testicular pain. If you’re worried, find out how to reduce the side effects of finasteride.
