Medication questions Treatment and getting started
How can I tell if my hair loss treatment is working?
Short answer
Judge it over 6 to 12 months, not weeks. Take monthly photos in the same light and from the same angles, and compare them rather than relying on the mirror. Less shedding, a stable hairline or crown, and hair that feels thicker can all be progress, and slowing further loss is a worthwhile result in itself. Some early shedding can be normal.
Key facts
- Judge hair loss treatment over 6 to 12 months.
- Take monthly photos with the same light, angles and hair styling.
- Losing 30 to 150 scalp hairs a day is normal (BAD).
- Slowing or stopping further loss counts as a good result.
Why the mirror is a poor judge
Hair changes slowly, and you see yourself every day, so gradual change in either direction is hard to notice. Lighting, styling and whether your hair is wet or dry can make the same scalp look very different from one day to the next.
Counting hairs in the shower is also misleading. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says most people lose between 30 and 150 scalp hairs every day, so some hair fall is always normal.
Set up a simple photo routine
Clinical trials judge hair treatments using standardised photographs; the Regaine SmPC, for example, describes expert review of "global photographs of the vertex region". You can borrow the same idea at home:
Before you start: take a set of baseline photos. Without them, it is very hard to judge later.
Once a month: use the same room, the same light (ideally the same overhead light, or the same window at the same time of day), the same camera distance and the same angles: front hairline, both temples, the crown from above, and your parting.
Keep your hair the same: dry, unstyled, and roughly the same length each time.
Compare side by side: put month 1 next to month 6, not month 5 next to month 6.
Shedding or breakage?
Early shedding is common with minoxidil. The Regaine SmPC says it generally starts 2 to 6 weeks into treatment and settles within a couple of weeks (see minoxidil shedding).
Breakage is different: hair snaps along its length rather than falling out from the scalp. An NHS dermatology leaflet notes that in some people topical minoxidil "can cause dry and tangled hair with increased hair breakage". If you are seeing lots of short, broken pieces, mention it to your prescriber, as a change of product or routine may help.
Realistic timescales
The BAD says minoxidil "needs to be used for at least 6 months and possibly up to 12 months before any benefit may be noted", and that continuous use of finasteride "for up to 14 months can be required before a benefit is usually seen". The NHS says that for hair loss "you can expect to see some improvement after 3 to 6 months" with finasteride. If you are taking finasteride, remember the MHRA warnings about psychiatric side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts, and sexual side effects that may persist after stopping (Drug Safety Updates of 29 April 2024 and 11 May 2026), and report any changes in mood promptly.
At WMG Meds, the first follow-up review is at around 3 months and the plan is reviewed against your response at around 6 months. Sharing your photos at those reviews helps the doctor judge progress fairly.
Why stability counts as success
Male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss tend to progress over time. The BAD describes minoxidil as something that "may help to slow down the progression of hair loss", and the NHS says "No treatment is 100% effective". If your photos at 12 months look the same as at the start, that may mean the treatment is doing its job.
If things are clearly getting worse, or the pattern changes (patches, sudden all-over shedding, or a sore scalp), something else may be going on, such as telogen effluvium. Speak to your prescriber or GP. Our sister service offers hair loss blood tests to look for causes such as low iron or thyroid problems.
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Start your free assessment →Related questions
How often should I take progress photos?
Once a month is enough. More often tends to cause worry without showing real change, because hair grows slowly.
My hair looks the same after 6 months. Is the treatment failing?
Not necessarily. Pattern hair loss usually progresses without treatment, so no change can be a good sign. Review it with your prescriber before stopping.
Is it normal to shed more at the start?
With minoxidil, yes. Product information says a temporary increase in shedding generally starts 2 to 6 weeks in and settles within a couple of weeks. If it lasts longer, speak to your prescriber.
What if my hair loss is getting worse on treatment?
Tell your prescriber. It may be a normal early shed, or another cause such as low iron, a thyroid problem or telogen effluvium that needs checking.
What happens if I stop treatment?
The NHS says treatments only work for as long as they are used. Our safe discontinuation guides explain what to expect for each medicine.
Sources
- British Association of Dermatologists: male pattern hair loss patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: telogen effluvium patient leaflet
- NHS: common questions about finasteride
- Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5%: SmPC (eMC)
- Northern Care Alliance NHS (Salford Royal): low dose minoxidil for hair loss
Facts checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Read our editorial policy.