Since receiving FDA approval to treat male pattern baldness in 1997, finasteride’s efficacy to improve hair growth is approx. 91.5%. Oral Minoxidil was first approved by the FDA to treat high blood pressure in 1979, and studies show, a 5mg daily dose can significantly increase hair count in nearly everyone.

In all major studies on finasteride, the placebo group—group of men NOT taking finasteride—discontinued use at similar rates as men taking the drug (fin: 1.2% vs. placebo: 0.9%). Why? Men losing their hair are often at the age when sexual issues start occurring naturally. And it's been widely studied that just hearing your erections might not work can increase your chances of that happening. In 2016, A meta-analysis of 17,494 subjects from 17 randomized control trials found finasteride does not cause ED when taken to treat male pattern hair loss (source), and only may cause a slightly lower volume of semen (source). So it’s important to understand the true risks versus perceived ones. Learn more

For the first 2 decades of use, men reported that side effects from finasteride disappeared completely after discontinuing use. It wasn't until 2011, that a highly biased study reported lingering effects in some men. There is no definitive evidence that finasteride is to blame for men who report long term side effects after discontinuing use, since other factors are likely at play (source). Additionally, side effects from oral minoxidil go away when treatment is stopped.

We know it’s a letdown when hair doesn’t regrow, but if you’re keeping the hair you had when you started treatment, it’s a great sign treatment is working. Continue using it consistently, and remember, this medication primarily helps you prevent future hair loss, and often, but not always, stimulates new growth.

Here’s an industry-secret, the most common reason treatments fail — guys don’t actually use them consistently (source). That’s because most hair loss remedies require you to rub or spray a greasy liquid mess on your head everyday... aka a super unwelcome addition to your daily routine (not to mention hairstyle). Locklab was made to be simpler, by putting everything doctors trust most to stop hair loss into one pill you take once a day. So treatment is non-invasive and attainable for all of us. The hard workers, the late-nighters, the travelers, the dads, the busy men who want to keep their hair.