Doctor explaining how long hair loss medicines take to show results on a graph

How Long Does It Take For Hair Medicines to Show Results?

Hair loss and hair fall are faced by every person around the globe irrespective of their gender and ethnicity at some point of life.

No two people suffer from the same type of hair loss.

Tackling a hair problem becomes tricky owing to the hidden underlying causes.

The line of treatment for each hair restorative procedure differs from person to person.

Genetics, hormones (pregnancy), drugs (cancer therapy), and other conditions (stress, thyroid disease, or autoimmune diseases) can all contribute to hair loss and damage.

The first approach to deal with hair problems is to understand the root cause.

Usually, a knowledgeable dermatologist can help fight the issue by providing a thorough guidance and the necessary measures to stop the hair shedding.

Initially, hair supplements and certain medicines are recommended by doctors to the patients

Apart from hair supplements, certain medications are also prescribed to help in faster regrowth.

It takes time to see visible results.


These medications take time to curb hair fall from the root and facilitate new hair growth.

Hair loss medicine results require proper regime and consistency to see a noticeable difference in the hair.

We, at QHT Clinic, in India offer comprehensive advice on the treatments and the potential side effects of the medications prescribed.

Giving each patient honestΒ  feedback and assisting them in comprehending the benefits and drawbacks of the prescribed drug is our main priority.

If you have been prescribed medication for hair loss and are concerned about when you will see benefits, continue reading to see how long it takes for some regularly recommended medications to start working.Β 

Hair Growth Supplements To The Rescue

Doctor explaining hair growth progress with supplements on a chart

Hair growth supplements can aid in hair growth or renewal if there is hair loss or damage linked to a severe nutritional shortage of specific vitamins or minerals. Hair vitamin supplements won't help if the hair loss is caused by another medical condition, such as thyroid illness or an autoimmune disease, unless the issue is cured. Supplements for hair development also contain vitamins that support general health. A nutritious and well-balanced diet is also necessary in addition to hair vitamins.

In order to encourage healthy hair growth and regeneration, hair growth vitamins or herbal supplements are commonly used. It often takes one to five years to notice benefits from taking hair growth pills; they don't happen quickly. Even with supplements, it would take five to six years for a new hair to reach shoulder length because hair normally grows just half an inch per month.Β 

However, within a few months of supplementation, a number of further hair alterations become apparent. The vitamins cause the scalp's oil glands to reawaken, hydrating and nourishing the hair and scalp. The hair begins to look healthier, shinier, and more hydrated.

However, Hair growth pills wouldn't be enough to address the issue if the damage was brought on by another condition. Therefore, when one is having considerable hair loss, it is always advised to see a doctor.

Hair loss issues differ in men and women. The formulations and the dosage of medication can vary from gender to gender.Also, it depends upon the grade of baldness.

What is the connection between medications and hair loss?

Both men and women can use medications to treat hair loss.Medication is prescribed, especially for pattern hair loss, although the way it is used varies.

A receding hairline and side thinning are typical signs of pattern hair loss, also known as β€˜Male Androgenetic Alopecia’ in men.

Male Androgenetic Alopecia is treated with Finasteride and Minoxidil.

These drugs are also prescribed for Female Pattern Hair Loss, albeit the dosage and formulation percentage may differ.

Depending on the gender and level of baldness, different percentages of these medications are advised.

Is it possible to take hair loss medications without a prescription from a doctor?

Although some over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to combat hair loss, it is strongly recommended to consult a physician before beginning any treatment.

For topical use, β€˜Minoxidil Solution’ is usually accessible without a prescription from a physician.

Despite being readily available for purchase, a doctor's advice may be necessary for oral dosing.

Likewise, as β€˜Finasteride’ requires a prescription to get, it should be taken as directed by a physician.

Medications that need a prescription from a physician are not considered harmful for the body

Instead, they have significant adverse effects associated with themΒ  that, if taken improperly, might cause serious difficulties and harm to the body.

Hair loss medications

The following are common hair regrowth medicines used to treat hair loss:

1. Minoxidil

2.Β  Finasteride

3. Antiandrogens medicines

4. Corticosteroids

Even though these drugs have been shown to be effective in treating hair loss, taking them frequently has negative side effects.

If there are negative side effects, the drug may be halted until the trigger is eliminated, and a different medication may be recommended to treat the hair loss symptoms.

If you’re being advised medications and want to know when will they give results, here’s how long it would take for you to see the changes

Minoxidil

Androgenetic Alopecia, which includes hair loss in both male and female patterns, is mostly treated with a medication called minoxidil. Over-the-counter, it is offered in topical formulations such as liquids and foams, typically in concentrations between 2% and 5%. Originally developed to treat high blood pressure, minoxidil was later used to cure hair loss since it promoted hair growth.

It is still used today to lower blood pressure, but only under specific conditions, even though there are now superior medications for doing so. It was observed that those using minoxidil to treat hypertension had increased body and scalp hair growth.

Usage

Minoxidil can be applied topically to encourage hair growth in adult men and women with a specific kind of baldness. This medication's exact mode of action is uncertain.

Any hair growth that occurs when using minoxidil often occurs months after beginning the prescription and is only sustained for the duration of the medication. Hair loss will recur a few months after discontinuing minoxidil treatment.Β 

This drug can be obtained without a prescription.

For this product, the following dosage forms are available:

1. Foams

2. Solution:

The patient usually receives instructions with this drug. Reading the instructions properly is essential.

It is recommended that this medication be taken precisely as directed. Never take it in excess of what your doctor has suggested or more frequently than that. This may increase the likelihood that it will be absorbed via the skin. Unwanted effects on the heart and blood vessels could result from absorption into the body.

Minoxidil results time

When taking minoxidil, patience is essential because the best effects take time and constant use. One’s hair generally won't become any better after using Minoxidil for a month. In fact, one might notice that their hair is falling out more frequently. This is a typical aspect of the hair development process and is referred to as’ Minoxidil Shedding.

This occurs because minoxidil speeds up the hair development cycle, allowing our hair to enter the growth phase sooner.

One may haveΒ  more hair loss than normal when more of their hair enters the shedding phase at the same time. Thankfully, this is an isolated incident. Within a few weeks, the shedding will cease, andΒ  hair will begin to grow back.

If you stop using Minoxidil, what will happen?

OneΒ  must continue taking minoxidil if you want to sustain your new hair growth. When Minoxidil is stopped, hair loss typically returns three to four months later, resulting in lost progress.

Male

FinasterideΒ 

Pattern hair loss, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is treated in men with a prescription medication called Finasteride. Finasteride slows the rate of hair loss and encourages the growth of new hair by preventing the body from producing a hormone that destroys hair follicles.

Usage

This medication is given orally once daily, and it is most effective when taken at the same time each day.

Result Timeline Of Finasteride

Finasteride, which belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, prevents our body from turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by blocking a class of enzymes called 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is the androgen hormone linked to Male Pattern Baldness, also known as Male Androgenetic Alopecia.

Finasteride usually takes three to four months to show obvious effects, even though it reaches the bloodstream somewhat rapidly and begins lowering your DHT levels as soon as it becomes active in the body. It usually takes a year or more for the final results to show up.

What causes the delay? The reason for this is that the hair follicles on our body and head all grow according to a four-phase hair growth cycle.

Each hair begins this process during the anagen phase, when it grows from the root of the hair follicle inside the scalp. The longer the hair gets, the more it pushes through your skin and shows through. The growth phase, also known as the anagen period, can endure for a number of years.

Finasteride doesn't act instantly, even though it's functioning internally, because it takes time for new hairs to grow from the root to a noticeable length. Usually,over the course of several months, you'll notice a slow, steady improvement in your hair.

If the medications still do not work for you and you’re being advised to undergo a hair transplant, QHT Clinic would be the best choice that you can make.

Why should you get a hair transplant from QHT Clinic?

For all types of hair restoration operations, QHT Clinic is the top option in India. Every patient at QHT Clinic is considered a member of the extended family rather than just a client. It's about giving the patient the finest, unsolicited advice while adhering to medical ethics.

Every hair restoration surgery at QHT Clinic is meticulously planned by the team of doctors.

Hair that is natural, rich, and full is the result of careful follicular unit selection and use, as well as precise and top-notch articulation.

By closely inspecting the scalp and the area of baldness, the skilled team at QHT Clinic provides the best restoration techniques. The hair transplant procedure is explained in depth based on the degree of baldness. In addition to guaranteeing a high-quality therapy, the patients' expectations and the thorough technique analysis also offer clarity and transparency about the entire treatment.

Famous celebrities like Rajpal Yadav and Dayanand Shetty have also trusted QHT Clinic for their hair restoration surgeries, and patients in India have been giving QHT Hair Transplant excellent evaluation

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