As long as your hair follicles aren't entirely dead, you can start using Finasteride, also known by its brand name Propecia.

The trick is that you have to start Finasteride treatments when you initially notice that you're losing hair before the problem gets worse. For many men, male pattern baldness (MPB) runs in the family, and that's why they assume there's no treatment.

Yet, that's not the case if you try a medication like Finasteride.

Still, the fact remains that the prescription isn't for everybody, so here's how to tell if it's too late to begin receiving treatment.

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When is Finasteride the best option?

 The catch with Finasteride is that it doesn't work for every type of baldness. Essentially, if you're already wholly bald, Finasteride treatments will be futile.

 But the good news is that if you're only starting to lose hair in certain parts of the scalp, Finasteride is a fantastic option.

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How does Finasteride help treat MPB?

Androgenetic alopecia is the technical term for MPB, and researchers believe it's a hereditary trait, meaning it's mainly genetic and passed down through generations.

 Along those lines, our genetics determine our hormone levels. Hence, as your body starts increasing the production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), hair follicles will gradually shrink until hair growth halts altogether.

Where does DHT come from?

 DHT is a hormone that forms when your body breaks down testosterone, the hormone responsible for male sexual development.

 Indeed, testosterone determines everything from muscle mass to strength and libido, but its level in the bloodstream typically lowers over time as men age.

 Part of that aging process results in more DHT production, so by inhibiting DHT levels, you can turn the tide against premature hair loss.

What types of baldness won't Finasteride treat?

Unfortunately, Finasteride has a few downsides to know, such as being ineffective at treating certain types of baldness.

For instance, the prescription won't work if your hair loss results from a fungal scalp infection. This condition usually occurs in children, but adults can also be susceptible. In this case, treatment with anti-fungal medication works better.

Finasteride also won't treat baldness caused by chemotherapy because the hair usually starts growing back after completing the regimen.

Lastly, if your baldness is due to extremes tress, Finasteride won't help because the problem isn't your DHT level. That's something else entirely, and the root cause may not be physical because there is a mental component to it too.

Either way, the only way to go is to see a doctor and determine what's actually causing the premature hair loss.

Ultimately, Finasteride works well for MPB. You only have to make sure that's the real reason you're going bald and follow the directions correctly.