Daily use for three months or more may be necessary before a patient will notice prevention of further hair loss or increased hair growth, however, no clinical data exist for completely bald men. If discontinued, it is likely that hair loss will resume.

In clinical trials, finasteride was very well tolerated in men, with most patients reporting no serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction.

Based on extensive research, its long term use does not appear to be harmful, and has been very well tolerated.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil solution is used in the treatment of male pattern alopecia in men, and in women. It is occasionally useful for other forms of alopecia, including alopecia areata.

It is available as a 2, 5 and 10% solution. When applied to the affected areas of the scalp twice daily it has been shown to stimulate hair re-growth.

Minoxidil solution dilates small blood vessels. How Minoxidil restores hair growth is uncertain. The effect is seen after approximately 4 months of treatment. If treatment is stopped, the pretreatment appearance will normally return within 3 or 4 months.

Adverse effects are usually limited to local irritation, but contact allergy may occur rarely. Users should take care to avoid not to drip the solution on to the forehead, where unwanted hair growth might occur. Internal effects are not likely as there is minimal absorption into the system.

An increase in the number of anagen hairs.
Promotion of hair growth in the transplanted grafts and surrounding areas.
Reduction of post-surgical shock and telogen effluvium.