What is Finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription medication commonly used to treat male pattern baldness, particularly at the crown and the middle of the scalp. It is currently the most effective hair loss treatment available.
How Does Finasteride Work?
Hair loss in MPB is primarily caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone formed when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (5AR) converts testosterone into DHT. Elevated DHT levels shrink hair follicles, leading to thinning and eventual loss. Finasteride works by blocking 5AR, significantly reducing DHT levels. This allows hair follicles to recover and produce thicker, stronger hair.
Why is Finasteride So Effective?
Finasteride is the most powerful 5-alpha reductase inhibitor approved for hair loss treatment.
Research shows:
- Up to 60% reduction in DHT levels
- Hair loss halted in around 90% of men
- Noticeable regrowth in over 75% of users across long-term studies
Is Finasteride medically approved?
Finasteride is FDA-approved for treating MPB and is used by thousands of men across the UK. It is considered one of the most reliable treatments available for hair loss.
UK Licensed:Approved by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
FDA Approved: Cleared for use in the United States since 1997.
Globally Recognized: Approved by medical authorities worldwide.
It is a first-line treatment prescribed by hair loss specialists worldwide, and recommended in clinical guidelines for male pattern baldness.
When Will I See Results?
Finasteride typically takes 3–6 months of consistent daily use to show visible improvement. To maintain results, treatment must continue long-term. If stopped, any regrowth usually reverses within 12 months.
Starting early is key—the longer DHT, hormone responsible for male pattern baldness, affects the hair follicle, the harder it is to revive, and it can eventually cause hair follicles to stop producing hair altogether.To give yourself the best chance of regrowing and maintaining hair, it’s important to begin treatment before hair loss becomes severe.
Why should I choose Voy for Finasteride?
With Voy, you receive:
Expert oversight from UK-licensed clinicians.
Personalised treatment plans.
Ongoing support throughout your hair restoration journey.
Regular monitoring to help you achieve the best possible results.
How to Take Finasteride
We offer Finasteride in a 1mg oral tablet. It should be taken once daily, with or without food, and at the same time each day for the best results.
Ingredients in Finasteride
Active Ingredient: Finasteride 1mg per film-coated tablet
Other Ingredients:
Tablet Core: Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), pregelatinized maize starch, sodium starch glycolate (type-A), lauryl macrogolglycerides, magnesium stearate (E572)
Film Coating: Hypromellose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 6000, iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide yellow (E172)
What are the side effects of Finasteride?
Finasteride is well-tolerated by most men, with 98.6% of men reporting no serious side effects in clinical trials. A small percentage of men may experience these mild side effects that often resolve on their own and are generally temporary:
- Dizziness
- Slight weakness
- Mild swelling in the hands
- Sexual Side Effects:
Reduced libido
Changes in erectile function
Changes in ejaculation
Occur in under 2% of men and usually resolve with continued use or after stopping.
*It’s important to note that most cases of reported sexual side effects involve the higher 5mg dose used for prostate conditions—not the 1mg dose for hair loss, and no statistically significant link has been found between the 1mg dose and sexual side effects .
When to Seek Help
While serious side effects are extremely rare, support is always available.
If you are concerned contact one of our clinicians.
For mild concerns, contact the Voy clinical team via your account.
For urgent medical issues, contact your GP or call 111.