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Finasteride rewrites male beauty rules

Source: nytimes.com

TL;DR

A New York Times Magazine article explores how finasteride, dubbed "Ozempic for baldness," is transforming young men's views on hair and masculinity.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)
Research shows the drug slows hair loss in most men for at least 10 years and regrows hair in a majority, prompting Elliot Connors and his friends to start it in their 20s.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)
It raises pressure on men to maintain full hairlines amid beauty standards, while Connors weighs rare side effects like low libido or depression.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)

The story at a glance

The article by Susan Dominus profiles Elliot Connors, a young man noticing thinning hair in his 20s, and his peers turning to finasteride amid social pressures for thick hair. Friends at Norwood 2 or 3 stages pushed him to join them on the drug to "keep up." It's reported now as finasteride surges in popularity among image-conscious young men, likened to Ozempic's body-image impact.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)

Key points

Finasteride significantly slows hair loss in most men for at least 10 years, with many seeing effects much longer; studies show renewed growth in a majority.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)
Young men like Connors face peer pressure, as friends on Norwood 2-3 scales use it to maintain youthful looks in competitive social scenes.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)
The pill is called "Ozempic for baldness" for rewriting male beauty rules, fitting a generation obsessed with aesthetic optimization.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)
Connors read about potential side effects like low libido or depression, leaving him conflicted despite the drug's appeal and friends' use.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)

Details and context

Finasteride works by blocking DHT, the hormone shrinking hair follicles in male pattern baldness, which affects many men by their 20s or 30s. Studies confirm its long-term efficacy for retention and some regrowth, but it requires daily use—stopping means hair loss resumes. The article frames this against telehealth ease and social media ads boosting access for young users.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)

While effective, rare side effects worry some, as noted in prior reporting on sexual function or mood issues at the 1mg hair-loss dose. Connors's story highlights the trade-off: hair preservation versus potential risks in a culture prizing full hair as youthful and masculine.[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/well/family/male-hair-loss-finasteride-fertility-sperm.html)

Key quotes

"He started to think he had no choice if he wanted to keep up: He’d better start taking finasteride." — On Elliot Connors's decision, per the article.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/magazine/male-hair-loss-treatment-finasteride.html)

Why it matters

Full hair is increasingly tied to male attractiveness and success, shifting norms from accepting baldness to expecting treatment. Young men may face new pressures to use finasteride via easy telehealth, balancing proven benefits against rare but serious side effects like libido loss. Watch usage trends and long-term studies on side effects, especially as marketing grows.[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/well/family/male-hair-loss-finasteride-fertility-sperm.html)