How Does Finasteride Restore Hair Loss From Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)?

Finasteride restores Male Pattern Baldness hair loss by boosting the growth phase of the hair cycle called the anagen phase.



Many studies demonstrate the efficacy of finasteride to regrow hair lost from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB). In one such study:

Treatment with finasteride 1 mg day−1 for 48 weeks increased both total and anagen hair counts, and improved the anagen to telogen ratio.

“Conclusions These data provide direct evidence that finasteride 1 mg daily promotes the conversion of hairs into the anagen phase. These data support that finasteride treatment results in favorable effects on hair quality that contribute to the visible improvements in hair growth observed in treated patients.” ​

So What are the Anagen & Telogen Phases?

The growth rate varies individually and other factors — genetics, age, environmental, level of abuse using chemicals etc play a part.

Hair can grow between 0.6 to 3.36 cm per month. Growth rate of scalp hair depends on age, sex and even ethnicity. No significant difference noted in the rate of growth between men and women. On an average hair grows at a rate of 1 centimeter/month.

Each hair is in its own phase of development. After the cycle of growth and rest, the process restarts and a new strand of hair starts to grow. The three stages of hair growth are anagen catagen and telogen, a fourth phase called exogen is also identified for shedding phase.

Anagen Phase of Hair Growth

The growth begins in the papilla and hair can be in this phase from 3 to 5 year. Genetics determine the length of time hair stays in this phase. This is where Finasteride helps recoup hair loss from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB).

Longer hair stays in the anagen phase, longer it will grow. In this phase, cells around the papilla divide to produce new hair, and the follicle buries into the dermal layer of the skin to nourish.

Catagen Phase of Hair Growth

This phase will affect about one percent of all hair of one’s body at any given time. The follicle is 1/6th of its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upwards.

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