Does periodic shedding make long hair with finasteride impossible?
    Finasteride/Dutasteride 4/2/2026

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    At a glance
    In this question or advice post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral)
    💧 Minoxidil (topical)
    the tone is 😐 neutral.

    Other terms

    Finasteride can help extend the hair growth cycle and improve hair density, allowing for long hair despite initial shedding. Periodic shedding may occur, but it typically does not affect healthy hair significantly.
    View this post in the Community →

    Similar Community Posts Join

    5 / 5 results

      community 6 Months Into Dut Progress Pictures

       102 upvotes 1 year ago
      Switching from finasteride to dutasteride caused significant shedding but minimal side effects. The user plans to continue dutasteride for 12 months despite concerns about hair density.

      community KX-826 Phase 3 Results Are Out

       121 upvotes 5 months ago
      KX-826 shows promising results for hair growth with fewer side effects, offering an alternative to finasteride and minoxidil. Users discuss combining it with minoxidil, dermarolling, and Nizoral for improved results.

      community [5 year progress] My gains and experience

      in Progress Pictures  356 upvotes 2 years ago
      A user shared a 5-year hair loss treatment progress, using 1mg oral finasteride daily and 5% minoxidil liquid twice per day, with significant improvement and no side effects. They noticed more hair coverage around the 6-7 month mark and have experienced annual shedding but remained consistent with their routine.

      community ~6 years of progress. It's a marathon, not a sprint!

       1998 upvotes 6 months ago
      Significant hair regrowth was achieved over six years using Minoxidil, Finasteride, and daily 0.25mm dermarolling. Finasteride had the most significant impact, with no reported side effects.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      Diseases of Hair and Nails

      research Diseases of Hair and Nails

      3 citations , January 2012 in “Elsevier eBooks”
      The document says that there are treatments for hair and nail diseases.
      An Overview of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Hair Loss

      research AN OVERVIEW OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF HAIR LOSS

      October 2024 in “International Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Allied Sciences”
      In this research, a thorough review of hair loss issues and treatments identified the effectiveness of minoxidil and finasteride for alopecia in the scalp's vertex region, but noted concerns about their potential long-term effects, leading to increased interest in herbal therapies.
      Primary Cicatricial Alopecia: Treatment Approaches and Classification

      research Primary cicatricial alopecia

      95 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”
      This article reviews primary cicatricial alopecias, focusing on lymphocytic forms such as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, according to a classification by the North American Hair Research Society, and reports no new clinical results.
      Status of Research on the Development and Regeneration of Hair Follicles

      research Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair follicles

      November 2023 in “International Journal of Medical Sciences”
      This review examines the mechanisms of hair follicle development and regeneration, discussing current hair loss treatments and emerging therapies like low-level laser therapy and stem cell therapy, which the authors suggest show promise in managing hair loss.
      Androgenetic Alopecia – Current Status

      research Androgenetic alopecia – Current status

      6 citations , October 2005 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology”
      The document discusses male and female pattern hair loss, its diagnosis methods, FDA-approved treatments like finasteride and minoxidil, their side effects, and the role of lifestyle changes.