What is the specific mechanism of action of local use of finasteride to maintain hair density?
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Finasteride is a commonly used medication for treating androgenic alopecia, and topical use of Finasteride plays an important role in maintaining hair density. The specific mechanism of local use of finasteride to maintain hair density will be elaborated below.
1、 The basis of action of finasteride
Finasteride mainly exerts its effect by inhibiting 5 α - reductase. There are two types of isoenzymes of 5 α - reductase, namely type I and type II. In hair follicles, type II 5 α - reductase converts testosterone into the more active dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone binds to androgen receptors in hair follicle cells, leading to hair follicle miniaturization and thinning, ultimately resulting in hair loss. Finasteride, as a 5 α - reductase inhibitor, can effectively reduce the level of dihydrotestosterone, thereby inhibiting hair follicle miniaturization and maintaining normal hair growth and density.
2、 Direct impact on hair follicles
Preventing hair follicle miniaturization
Local use of finasteride can directly act on hair follicles, reducing the accumulation of dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles. This can prevent the gradual atrophy and miniaturization process of hair follicles, allowing them to maintain their normal size and function. Normal sized hair follicles can better support hair growth and maintain hair density.
Promote the growth cycle of hair
The growth of hair has periodicity, including growth period, regression period, and resting period. Finasteride can regulate the growth cycle of hair follicles, prolong the growth period, shorten the degenerative and resting periods. During the growth period, hair continues to grow; During the degenerative and resting periods, hair stops growing or shedding. By extending the growth period, local use of finasteride can increase the residence time of hair on the scalp, making the hair thicker.
3、 Synergistic effect with other treatment methods
Used in combination with minoxidil
Many studies have shown that the combination of local finasteride and minoxidil can enhance the effect of maintaining hair density. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that can increase the blood supply to hair follicles and promote hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, and their combined use can synergistically enhance efficacy. For example, in some studies, patients initially received local minoxidil and oral finasteride treatment for two years, and then switched from oral finasteride to locally enhanced minoxidil with finasteride. The results showed that most patients maintained good hair density.
Low energy laser combined therapy
Low energy laser treatment also has certain effects on androgenic alopecia. Low energy laser can stimulate the metabolic activity of hair follicle cells and promote hair growth. When used in combination with finasteride, low-energy laser can further enhance the therapeutic effect of finasteride and jointly maintain hair density. Research has found that the combination of low-energy laser and finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia can significantly improve related symptoms under dermatoscopy, and the hair density is significantly higher than that of patients treated with finasteride alone.
In summary, the mechanism by which local use of finasteride maintains hair density mainly includes inhibiting 5 α - reductase, preventing hair follicle miniaturization, promoting hair growth cycle, and synergistic effects with other treatment methods. These mechanisms work together to provide an effective means for treating androgenic alopecia.
1、 The basis of action of finasteride
Finasteride mainly exerts its effect by inhibiting 5 α - reductase. There are two types of isoenzymes of 5 α - reductase, namely type I and type II. In hair follicles, type II 5 α - reductase converts testosterone into the more active dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone binds to androgen receptors in hair follicle cells, leading to hair follicle miniaturization and thinning, ultimately resulting in hair loss. Finasteride, as a 5 α - reductase inhibitor, can effectively reduce the level of dihydrotestosterone, thereby inhibiting hair follicle miniaturization and maintaining normal hair growth and density.
2、 Direct impact on hair follicles
Preventing hair follicle miniaturization
Local use of finasteride can directly act on hair follicles, reducing the accumulation of dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles. This can prevent the gradual atrophy and miniaturization process of hair follicles, allowing them to maintain their normal size and function. Normal sized hair follicles can better support hair growth and maintain hair density.
Promote the growth cycle of hair
The growth of hair has periodicity, including growth period, regression period, and resting period. Finasteride can regulate the growth cycle of hair follicles, prolong the growth period, shorten the degenerative and resting periods. During the growth period, hair continues to grow; During the degenerative and resting periods, hair stops growing or shedding. By extending the growth period, local use of finasteride can increase the residence time of hair on the scalp, making the hair thicker.
3、 Synergistic effect with other treatment methods
Used in combination with minoxidil
Many studies have shown that the combination of local finasteride and minoxidil can enhance the effect of maintaining hair density. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that can increase the blood supply to hair follicles and promote hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, and their combined use can synergistically enhance efficacy. For example, in some studies, patients initially received local minoxidil and oral finasteride treatment for two years, and then switched from oral finasteride to locally enhanced minoxidil with finasteride. The results showed that most patients maintained good hair density.
Low energy laser combined therapy
Low energy laser treatment also has certain effects on androgenic alopecia. Low energy laser can stimulate the metabolic activity of hair follicle cells and promote hair growth. When used in combination with finasteride, low-energy laser can further enhance the therapeutic effect of finasteride and jointly maintain hair density. Research has found that the combination of low-energy laser and finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia can significantly improve related symptoms under dermatoscopy, and the hair density is significantly higher than that of patients treated with finasteride alone.
In summary, the mechanism by which local use of finasteride maintains hair density mainly includes inhibiting 5 α - reductase, preventing hair follicle miniaturization, promoting hair growth cycle, and synergistic effects with other treatment methods. These mechanisms work together to provide an effective means for treating androgenic alopecia.