Finasteride
Regrowth
Finasteride grows your hair thicker by blocking a portion of the agent called DHT which is the culprit to male pattern baldness. Blocking DHT will not revive dead hair follicles thus there is no regrowth. Finasteride transitions many hair follicles to the growth phase from the resting phase. This stops hair miniaturization from continuing to damage hair until its subsequent death. The quantity of hair will stay the same but the diameter of the hair shaft will increase.
Overall, hair will look more numerous because originally invisible hair becomes visible as a result of increase in hair shaft. Not only that the hairline may slightly move forward, because smaller hair at front is now visible. There may be an initial shedding as hair transitions from resting to growth phase. The growth of new hair will push out old resting hair.
Ongoing treatment commitment
A dose of finasteride must be taken each day to maintain hair improvements otherwise the improvements will reverse. You must routinely take finasteride and not forget it in order to keep your hair. Patients must be willing to endure complications caused by finasteride if they want to see improvements. In particular your sexual performance may be affected as well as your mental health. Finasteride consumption may compromise your ongoing relationships. In simple words, you are exchanging complications for hair improvements. It's a tradeoff not a solution.
Finasteride loses efficacy over time. You can expect to get the best result within the first year. You may have to reconsider if the benefits outweigh the complications. Keep in mind if stop taking finasteride, the hair improvements will reverse.
Finasteride is essential for hair transplant patients because it preserves existing hair in the recipient area and some donor hair. Donor area is broad and some parts of it are risky and additionally produce DHT sensitive hair.
Complications
Common sexual complications are erectile dysfunction and loss in libido. Serious complications such as depression and infertility are rare. Notably infertility isn’t worth the risk for some. Finasteride can cause gynaecomastia. Complications usually improve after a while. Side effects can last after stopping medication. More studies are needed for finasteride.
Reversible
Stopping the medication will almost always reverse the side effects. Finasteride lasts less than a day in your body. DHT levels return to normal levels after discontinuation as the regulates itself to balance.
Cost
Finasteride costs about £30 for a packet of 28 tablets. Continuing the treatment will cost more over time.