Do you need to take finasteride forever for hair loss?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Studies have shown that for the majority of men, the hair growth benefits of finasteride cease within 6 to 12 months after stopping the medication, leading to the reversal of hair gain. This raises a key question for many: Do you need to take finasteride forever for hair loss?

Quick Summary

Finasteride is a long-term treatment, not a cure, for hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia, and its effects are only maintained with continuous daily use. Discontinuing the medication will lead to a reversal of benefits and a resumption of hair loss over several months.

Key Points

Lifelong Commitment: Finasteride is a continuous treatment, not a cure, and must be taken indefinitely to maintain its hair loss-preventing effects.
Reversal of Effects: Stopping finasteride will cause a reversal of its benefits, with hair loss typically resuming within 6 to 12 months after discontinuation.
DHT Levels: The medication works by blocking DHT, and upon cessation, DHT levels return to normal, triggering the resumption of hair follicle miniaturization.
Sustained Long-Term Efficacy: Long-term studies spanning 5 to 10+ years have shown that finasteride remains effective at slowing and stabilizing hair loss over time.
Plateau Effect: While effective long-term, some individuals may experience a plateau in visible results, as the medication primarily maintains existing hair rather than promoting unlimited regrowth.
Professional Consultation: Any decision to alter or stop finasteride treatment should be discussed with a doctor to understand the personal implications.

The Science Behind Finasteride and Hair Loss

Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In individuals with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), hair follicles are genetically sensitive to DHT, which causes them to shrink and eventually stop producing hair, a process called miniaturization. By reducing DHT levels in the scalp, finasteride can effectively slow or stop this process. This allows miniaturized follicles to recover and, in some cases, produce thicker, healthier hair. However, finasteride only suppresses DHT conversion while the drug is active in the body.

Understanding the Need for Continuous Treatment

Because finasteride targets the hormonal process that causes hair loss rather than curing the underlying condition, it must be taken continuously to maintain its effects. Think of it less as a one-time solution and more as a daily management strategy, similar to how medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol is taken. The moment the medication is stopped, the body's natural processes take over once more.

What Happens When You Stop Finasteride?

Discontinuing finasteride triggers a predictable timeline of events that leads to a reversal of the treatment's benefits. When you stop taking the medication, your body's DHT levels will begin to rise again within days, returning to pre-treatment levels within about two weeks. The hair follicles that were previously protected by the lower DHT levels will once again be exposed to the hormone and restart the miniaturization process.

1–3 months after stopping: You may start to notice an increase in hair shedding.
6–12 months after stopping: All the hair that was regrown or preserved by the medication will likely be lost. Hair density will return to the level it was before you started treatment.
Beyond 12 months: Hair loss will continue to progress at the rate it would have had you never started finasteride.

The Long-Term Experience with Finasteride

Long-term studies have affirmed the effectiveness and safety of finasteride for many years. A study following men for five years showed durable improvements in scalp hair growth and slowing of hair loss progression. A Japanese study even reported that 86% of men taking finasteride for 10 years continued to see a benefit. It is important to note that while some individuals may see hair regrowth, the primary benefit for most is the stabilization of hair loss. Over many years, the medication's effect may appear to diminish, but this is often because the medication has reached its plateau and age-related hair thinning may still occur. However, even during this phase, finasteride is still working to maintain the hair, and without it, hair loss would likely be much more severe.

Finasteride vs. Discontinuation: A Comparison


Aspect	Consistent Finasteride Use	Discontinuation of Finasteride
DHT Levels	Significantly reduced in scalp and serum.	Return to pre-treatment levels within 2 weeks.
Hair Loss Progression	Slowed or stabilized. May see minor age-related thinning over time.	Resumes at the genetic rate, reversing all gains.
Hair Count	Maintained or improved, especially in the first 1-2 years.	All finasteride-related gains are lost, typically within a year.
Regrowth Potential	Potential for some regrowth, especially in early stages.	Regrowth ceases, and miniaturization resumes.
Commitment	Lifelong daily medication.	Reversal of results and renewed hair loss.

Can I Reduce the Dosage or Stop After Long-Term Use?

Some individuals may consider reducing their finasteride dosage or stopping treatment altogether after many years, particularly if they believe hair loss has stabilized with age. While the rate of hair loss for androgenetic alopecia can slow down after the initial accelerated phase in one's 20s or 30s, stopping the medication will still lead to a resumption of the underlying hair loss process. Any decision to alter or stop your medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who can assess your individual situation and discuss the potential consequences. As highlighted by the NHS guidelines, you should not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor first.

Alternative and Complementary Treatments

For those seeking alternatives or complementary options, other treatments are available. Minoxidil, another FDA-approved medication, can be used alongside finasteride or as a standalone treatment. Unlike finasteride, minoxidil is a topical treatment that promotes hair growth by widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow to hair follicles. For significant hair loss, surgical options like hair restoration procedures may also be considered. Combining treatments can sometimes yield better results, but these choices also come with a commitment to continuous use.

Conclusion

In summary, finasteride is a long-term, ongoing treatment for hair loss, not a permanent cure. The benefits—stabilization of hair loss and potential regrowth—depend entirely on the continuous daily intake of the medication. Once the treatment is stopped, the body's DHT levels will return to normal, and any hair gains will be reversed, typically within a year. The commitment is lifelong if you wish to maintain the results. While many men find the trade-off worth it, understanding this crucial aspect of finasteride treatment is essential for making an informed decision about your hair loss management strategy. Consulting with a healthcare professional is the best way to determine if finasteride is the right long-term option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Missing a few doses of finasteride is unlikely to cause a noticeable effect. However, for continuous results, it is important to take it consistently. The NHS advises taking the missed dose if it's within 6 hours of the due time, otherwise skip it.

Yes, you can discuss other treatments like topical minoxidil or other therapies with your doctor. However, switching treatments does not prevent the reversal of the hair gains made while on finasteride.

The drug's effect is only to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT while it's in your system. When you stop taking it, there is no longer anything blocking this conversion, and your body's DHT levels will rise again, causing hair loss to resume.

Yes, finasteride is generally considered safe for long-term use. Large, multinational studies have tracked its use over five years and found it to be well-tolerated with no new safety concerns.

Hair loss typically resumes gradually. Increased shedding may begin 1-3 months after stopping, and hair density generally returns to pre-treatment levels within 12 months.

For most men, any sexual side effects experienced while on finasteride will resolve within weeks of stopping the medication. A small number of men have reported persistent sexual side effects, a condition sometimes called Post-Finasteride Syndrome, but this is a rare occurrence and more research is ongoing.

While finasteride may not work as well for men over 60, as aging affects follicle vitality, it is still used by many older men to manage hair loss. Its effectiveness at slowing progression remains, though the potential for regrowth might be lessened.