Is finasteride gains permanent? Understanding long-term commitment and reversal

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

Clinical studies confirm that finasteride’s effects on hair regrowth and stabilization are not permanent and depend on consistent, ongoing treatment. Once the medication is discontinued, any hair gained will be lost, with DHT levels returning to pre-treatment levels within weeks.

Quick Summary

Finasteride's benefits are not permanent and require continuous use for maintenance. Upon discontinuation, DHT levels rebound, leading to the resumption of hair loss and the gradual reversal of all gains within 6 to 12 months.

Key Points

Gains are not permanent: Finasteride requires ongoing use to maintain hair gains, as its effects cease when the medication is discontinued.
DHT levels rebound: Stopping finasteride allows dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels to return to normal, pre-treatment levels within approximately 14 days.
Hair loss resumes: Within 6 to 12 months of discontinuation, hair density typically reverts to the level it would have been at without treatment.
Alternative treatments exist: Options like topical minoxidil or hair transplant surgery can help maintain or restore hair, particularly after stopping finasteride.
Consult a professional: Always speak with a healthcare provider before stopping finasteride to discuss the consequences and explore alternative hair loss management options.
Consider the commitment: Finasteride should be viewed as a long-term, continuous treatment for as long as you wish to prevent hair loss.

The Impermanence of Finasteride's Effects

Finasteride is an oral medication that works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a key hormone in male pattern baldness, causing hair follicles to shrink. By suppressing DHT, finasteride helps stop hair loss and can promote new growth.

However, finasteride's effects last only as long as you take the medication. It has a short half-life and is quickly cleared from the body. Stopping treatment allows 5-alpha-reductase activity and DHT production to return to normal, pre-treatment levels, reversing the benefits.

A Timeline of Reversal After Discontinuation

If you stop taking finasteride, the reversal of your gains occurs over time:

Within weeks: DHT levels return to their baseline within about two weeks. Any sexual side effects may also resolve.
Within 1–3 months: Hair loss typically resumes, potentially with increased shedding as follicles revert to their miniaturized state.
Within 6–12 months: Most men lose the hair gained on finasteride, and hair density returns to what it would have been without treatment.

Can Gains Be Maintained Without Finasteride?

While finasteride's effects are not permanent without continuous use, other options can help manage hair loss, particularly if you stop taking finasteride due to side effects.

The Role of Minoxidil and Other Treatments

Minoxidil, available as a topical treatment, is another FDA-approved hair loss medication. It stimulates hair follicles and extends the growth phase. Minoxidil can be used alone or with finasteride, and continuing minoxidil after stopping finasteride may help reduce renewed hair loss, though it doesn't block DHT.

Other potential treatments include:

Topical Finasteride: A newer option with possibly fewer systemic side effects, also requiring continuous use.
Dutasteride: A stronger 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, sometimes used for hair loss but also requiring continuous treatment.
Supplements and Lifestyle: These can support general hair health but are less potent than medications.

Hair Transplants for Permanent Restoration

A hair transplant is the only permanent hair restoration method. This surgical procedure moves hair follicles to thinning areas. While transplanted hair is permanent, finasteride is often still recommended to protect existing hair from future loss.

Comparison: Continuous Use vs. Discontinuation


Feature	Continuous Finasteride Use	Discontinuation of Finasteride
Mechanism	Inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, blocking DHT production.	Inhibition ceases, allowing DHT levels to rebound.
DHT Levels	Remain suppressed below normal levels.	Return to pre-treatment levels within ~14 days.
Hair Density	Maintained or increased.	Reverts to baseline within 6–12 months.
Hair Loss Progression	Halts or slows down.	Resumes at the rate it would have without intervention.
Result Permanence	Not permanent; requires continuous adherence.	All therapeutic benefits are lost.

Conclusion: Long-Term Commitment is Key

Finasteride gains are not permanent and depend on continuous use. It manages, rather than cures, male pattern baldness. Stopping the medication restarts the hair loss process, and any hair preserved or regrown will gradually be lost. Patients considering finasteride should understand it's a long-term commitment to maintain hair. If you need to stop, consult a healthcare professional to discuss alternatives and prepare for the return of your previous hair loss pattern.

For more medical information on finasteride, consult the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the finasteride - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Within 6 to 12 months of stopping finasteride, most individuals will lose the hair they gained or preserved while on the medication, with their hair density returning to pre-treatment levels.

Yes, you can stop taking finasteride abruptly without causing immediate adverse health effects. However, if you do, your male pattern baldness will resume, and any progress will be reversed.

When you stop finasteride, the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is no longer blocked, and DHT levels will rise back to their normal, pre-treatment state within about two weeks.

For most men, any side effects experienced while on finasteride resolve after stopping the medication. Some rare cases report persistent symptoms, a condition known as Post-Finasteride Syndrome.

No, stopping finasteride does not make hair loss worse than it would have been naturally. It merely allows the underlying male pattern baldness to progress at its normal, untreated rate.

Alternatives include topical minoxidil (often used alongside or instead of finasteride), hair transplant surgery for permanent results, or less-proven options like topical finasteride or certain hair growth supplements.

Yes, it is possible to recover some or all of the hair gains by restarting finasteride, as the medication will once again work to suppress DHT and allow for regrowth, assuming the follicles are not permanently dormant.