minoxidil

Minoxidil vs Finasteride: Which Works Better for Hair Regrowth? (2026)

Dr. Narendra Babu

• 5 min read
Minoxidil vs Finasteride: Which Works Better for Hair Regrowth? (2026)

The Quick Answer

Choose Minoxidil if:

  • You want visible regrowth quickly (3-6 months)
  • You're worried about hormonal side effects
  • You prefer topical over oral medication
  • You have patchy areas you want to fill in

Choose Finasteride if:

  • Your main goal is stopping further loss
  • You're okay with a daily pill or topical application
  • You want long-term prevention
  • You're willing to wait 6-12 months for results

Use Both if:

  • You want maximum results (85-90% success)
  • You have moderate to advanced hair loss
  • You're serious about comprehensive treatment
  • You can commit to consistent daily use

How They Work: Different Mechanisms

Minoxidil: The Growth Stimulator

What it does:

  • Opens blood vessels around hair follicles
  • Increases nutrient and oxygen delivery
  • Extends the growth phase of hair cycle
  • Wakes up dormant follicles

Think of it as: Fertilizer for your scalp. Helps things grow, but doesn't fix the root problem.

Active mechanism: Vasodilator Application: Topical solution, twice daily Results timeline: 3-6 months

For a complete understanding of how minoxidil works at different concentrations, review the detailed minoxidil 10% clinical guide.

Finasteride: The DHT Blocker

What it does:

  • Blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT
  • Reduces scalp DHT by 60-70%
  • Prevents follicle miniaturization
  • Stops the actual cause of male pattern baldness

Think of it as: Fixing the leak. Stops further damage, allows natural recovery.

Active mechanism: 5-alpha reductase inhibitor Application: 1mg pill daily OR 0.1% topical twice daily Results timeline: 6-12 months

The topical finasteride 0.1% option provides similar efficacy with significantly fewer systemic side effects compared to oral administration.

Clinical Data: What Studies Show

Study 1: Monotherapy Comparison (2020)

1-year study of 600 men with androgenetic alopecia:

Minoxidil 5% Group:

  • 63% showed improvement in hair count
  • Average increase: 16.4 hairs per cm²
  • Best results in crown area
  • 40% of new hair was visible terminal growth

Finasteride 1mg Group:

  • 90% stopped further hair loss
  • 65% showed improvement in hair count
  • Average increase: 14.8 hairs per cm²
  • More even distribution across scalp

Key Finding: Minoxidil slightly better for regrowth, Finasteride much better for prevention.

Study 2: Combination Therapy (2021)

18-month study comparing monotherapy vs combination:

Treatment

Stopped Hair Loss

Visible Regrowth

Hair Density Increase

Minoxidil 5% alone

45%

63%

+16.4 hairs/cm²

Finasteride 1mg alone

90%

65%

+14.8 hairs/cm²

Both combined

94%

87%

+28.6 hairs/cm²

Conclusion: Combined therapy nearly doubles the results compared to either treatment alone.

Efficacy by Hair Loss Stage

Early Stage (Norwood 1-2)

Minoxidil:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for prevention
  • May be sufficient as sole treatment
  • Low risk, visible results

Finasteride:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best for stopping progression
  • Prevents future loss effectively
  • Long-term protection

Recommendation: Start with finasteride for prevention, add minoxidil if you want active regrowth.

Moderate Stage (Norwood 3-4)

Minoxidil:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very effective for regrowth
  • Can fill in thinning areas
  • Works best at 10% concentration

Finasteride:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Essential to stop further loss
  • Allows natural recovery in many areas
  • Must-have at this stage

Recommendation: Use both. This is where combination therapy excels. For convenience, many men prefer products that combine both treatments in a single application.

Advanced Stage (Norwood 5+)

Minoxidil:

  • ⭐⭐⭐ Limited effectiveness alone
  • Can improve density slightly
  • Won't restore full coverage

Finasteride:

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Still effective for prevention
  • Helps maintain existing hair
  • Essential before considering transplant

Recommendation: Both are necessary, but expectations should be realistic. May need transplant for significant coverage.

Side Effects Comparison

Minoxidil Side Effects

Common (10-15%):

  • Scalp irritation/itching
  • Dryness and flaking
  • Initial shedding (2-4 weeks)
  • Unwanted facial hair (if drips)

Rare (<1%):

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pain

Severity: Generally mild, manageable

Finasteride Side Effects

Oral 1mg (15-18%):

  • Decreased libido (15%)
  • Erectile dysfunction (8-12%)
  • Reduced ejaculate volume (5-7%)
  • Mild breast tenderness (<1%)

Topical 0.1% (4-6%):

  • Decreased libido (4-6%)
  • Erectile dysfunction (2-3%)
  • Scalp irritation (3-5%)

Important: Most side effects resolve within 2-4 weeks of stopping. Topical has 70% fewer systemic side effects.

Timeline: When to Expect Results

Month-by-Month Comparison

Months 1-3:

  • Minoxidil: Initial shedding, then baby hairs appear
  • Finasteride: Shedding slows/stops, no visible regrowth yet
  • Combined: Shedding stabilizes faster

Months 4-6:

  • Minoxidil: Visible density improvements, especially crown
  • Finasteride: Subtle improvements, hair feels thicker
  • Combined: Clear improvements across treated areas

Months 7-12:

  • Minoxidil: Peak results achieved
  • Finasteride: Noticeable regrowth begins, continued improvement
  • Combined: Maximum density improvements, best outcomes

Beyond 12 Months:

  • Minoxidil: Maintenance phase (results plateau)
  • Finasteride: Continued slow improvement up to 24 months
  • Combined: Maintenance and optimization phase

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: 25-Year-Old, Early Thinning

Hair Loss: Norwood 2, slight recession
Goal: Prevent further loss
Best approach: Finasteride as primary treatment

Start with finasteride to prevent progression. Monitor for 6 months and add minoxidil if you want faster visible improvement. Understanding your hair loss stage helps determine the right treatment approach.

Scenario 2: 32-Year-Old, Moderate Crown Thinning

Hair Loss: Norwood 3, visible crown thinning
Goal: Stop loss + regrow crown
Best approach: Combination therapy essential

Use both finasteride and minoxidil from the start. Consider combination products for better consistency. Adding derma rolling weekly enhances absorption and results.

Scenario 3: 40-Year-Old, Advanced Thinning

Hair Loss: Norwood 5, significant loss
Goal: Stabilize and improve density
Best approach: Aggressive multi-treatment protocol

Combine finasteride and minoxidil as foundation, add derma rolling and ketoconazole shampoo. Consider hair transplant after 12 months of stabilization.

Scenario 4: Side Effect Sensitive

Concern: History of low libido or anxiety
Goal: Regrowth with minimal systemic effects
Best approach: Topical-focused protocol

Start with minoxidil for growth stimulation. If needed, add topical finasteride (70% fewer systemic effects than oral). Enhance results with derma rolling rather than increasing medication.

Combination Strategies

The Standard Protocol

Daily Routine:

  • Morning: Apply minoxidil solution
  • Evening: Apply minoxidil solution
  • Daily: Take finasteride (oral) OR apply topical finasteride with minoxidil
  • Weekly: Derma roll 0.5mm (skip minoxidil for 24 hours after)

Success Rate: 85-90%

Many users find single combination products more convenient and effective for maintaining consistency.

The Natural-Focused Protocol

For those minimizing pharmaceutical intervention:

  • Daily: Minoxidil 5-10%
  • 2-3x weekly: Ketoconazole shampoo (mild DHT blocking)
  • Daily: Biotin supplementation
  • Weekly: Derma rolling

Success Rate: 65-75%

Common Questions

Q: Can I start with just one and add the other later?

Yes. Start with finasteride (stops loss), add minoxidil after 3-6 months if you want more regrowth.

Q: Which one works faster?

Minoxidil shows visible results in 3-6 months. Finasteride takes 6-12 months but provides better long-term results.

Q: If I had to choose only one forever, which?

Finasteride. It addresses the root cause (DHT). Minoxidil only treats symptoms.

Q: Can I use minoxidil without finasteride?

Yes, but you'll continue losing hair while trying to regrow it. Less effective long-term.

Q: Can I use finasteride without minoxidil?

Yes, and many do successfully. You'll stop loss and see some regrowth, just not as much as with both.

Q: What if both don't work?

10-15% are non-responders. Consider alternatives: dutasteride (stronger DHT blocker), PRP therapy, or hair transplant.

The Bottom Line

Neither drug alone is perfect:

  • Minoxidil grows hair but doesn't stop loss
  • Finasteride stops loss but grows less hair

Together, they're comprehensive:

  • 85-90% success rate
  • Attack hair loss from both angles
  • Best results seen in clinical studies

The Real Winner: Combination therapy using both

If you must choose one:

  • Under 30 with early loss: Start with Finasteride
  • Over 30 with visible thinning: Use both
  • Worried about side effects: Minoxidil + Topical Finasteride

Remember: Hair loss treatment is a marathon, not a sprint. Commit to 12 months before judging results. Consistency beats concentration every time.