The principle of finasteride in treating hair loss
Finasteride can be regarded as the “little nemesis” of 5 α – reductase. In our body, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the “pounding” of 5 α – reductase. This DHT is really a troublemaker, it is a key factor leading to androgenic alopecia (which is one of the main causes of male and female hair loss). It will make the hair follicles shrink like deflated balls, and the hair will also become thinner and softer, eventually leading to a tragic “run away from home”. Instead of testosterone, it is like a brave little guardian, which achieves the goal of treating hair loss by inhibiting 5 α – reductase and reducing the “birth” of DHT.
Currently, oral finasteride has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). Although the local use of finasteride has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, it does not have the systemic adverse reactions of oral finasteride. Moreover, the effectiveness of local use of finasteride has already been studied and evaluated by some researchers.
Information retrieval: Safety and efficacy of local use of finasteride in the treatment of male and female hair loss
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Safety and efficacy of topical use of finasteride in men
Effectiveness
Multiple studies have shown that local use of finasteride has a certain “therapeutic magic” effect on male androgenetic alopecia. It can reduce hair loss to a certain extent and promote rapid hair growth, just like casting a growth spell on hair. For example, small-scale clinical trials have found that after patients use local finasteride solution for a period of time, their hair density becomes denser, just like a sapling. Through a hair microscope, one can clearly see the transformation of originally thin hair into thick and hard final hair, which is simply amazing.
In a phase III randomized controlled trial, local use of 0.25% w/w finasteride spray (1-4 sprays; 50-200 μ l/day) and oral administration of 1 mg finasteride tablet per day had similar effects. After 24 weeks of medication (average changes compared to baseline, 20.2 and 21.1 hairs per square centimeter, respectively). In addition, there was a double-blind randomized trial, which compared the use of 1% finasteride topical gel twice a day with the use of 1 mg finasteride tablet once a day for 6 months. The results showed that the effects of the two groups were equal. Moreover, a strong combination of local application of minoxidil and local application of finasteride may even enhance the therapeutic effect. Local use of finasteride can also reduce DHT levels in the scalp and plasma.
Security
Compared to oral administration of finasteride, the advantage of local use of finasteride is that there are relatively fewer systemic side effects. After taking finasteride orally into the blood, it will run around like a naughty egg in the body, which may cause adverse reactions such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased ejaculation.
The local use of finasteride is mainly to exert force locally, and the amount of medication entering the bloodstream is relatively small. However, some patients may still experience small “protests” on the local skin, such as redness, itching, and other adverse reactions.
Is local use of finasteride a safe and effective alternative for treating male and female hair loss?
Conclusion: For those who are concerned about the systemic side effects of oral finasteride preparations, local use of finasteride may be a good alternative.
Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; Female hair loss; Male hair loss; Oral administration of finasteride; Localized use of finasteride; Topical use of minoxidil
