Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative?
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1、 The principle of finasteride in treating hair loss
Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. In the body, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the action of 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is a key factor leading to androgenic alopecia (one of the main causes of male and female type alopecia), which causes hair follicles to become smaller, hair to gradually become thinner and softer, and eventually fall out. Finasteride achieves the goal of treating hair loss by inhibiting 5- α reductase and reducing the production of DHT.
Currently, oral finasteride is an approved drug by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). Although the local use of finasteride has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, there is a lack of systemic adverse reactions related to oral finasteride. But the efficacy of local use of finasteride has been evaluated.
Search for information: Safety and efficacy of topical finasteride in the treatment of male and female type hair loss
Usage: A structured search was conducted on Google, and over 800 records were found, many of which met the inclusion criteria.
2. Safety and efficacy of topical finasteride in men
Effectiveness
Multiple studies have shown that topical finasteride has a certain therapeutic effect on male androgenic alopecia. It can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth to a certain extent. For example, small-scale clinical trials have shown that after using topical finasteride solution for a period of time, patients' hair density increases, and the phenomenon of transforming from fine hair to terminal hair can be seen more clearly through hair microscopy.
In a phase III randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of local 0.25% w/w finasteride spray (1-4 spray; 50-200 μ l/day) and once daily finasteride 1 mg oral tablet was similar, when administered for 24 weeks (mean change from baseline, 20.2 hairs/cm2 and 21.1 hairs/cm2). In addition, a double-blind, randomized trial compared the efficacy of 1% finasteride topical gel twice daily and 1 mg finasteride oral tablet once daily for 6 months, and found that the results of the two groups were similar. In addition, the combination of topical minoxidil and topical finasteride may enhance therapeutic efficacy. Topical application of finasteride can reduce scalp and plasma DHT levels.
Security
Compared to oral finasteride, the advantage of topical finasteride is that it has relatively fewer systemic side effects. Oral administration of finasteride may cause adverse reactions such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced ejaculation volume, as the oral medication can have an impact on the entire body after entering the bloodstream.
The external use of finasteride mainly exerts its effect locally, and the amount of medication entering the bloodstream is relatively small. However, some patients may still experience local skin irritation, such as redness, itching, and other adverse reactions.
Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative?
Conclusion: For those concerned about the systemic side effects of oral finasteride preparations, topical finasteride may be an alternative option.
Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; Female type hair loss; Male type hair loss; Oral administration of finasteride; Topical application of finasteride; Topical application of minoxidil.
Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. In the body, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the action of 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is a key factor leading to androgenic alopecia (one of the main causes of male and female type alopecia), which causes hair follicles to become smaller, hair to gradually become thinner and softer, and eventually fall out. Finasteride achieves the goal of treating hair loss by inhibiting 5- α reductase and reducing the production of DHT.
Currently, oral finasteride is an approved drug by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). Although the local use of finasteride has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, there is a lack of systemic adverse reactions related to oral finasteride. But the efficacy of local use of finasteride has been evaluated.
Search for information: Safety and efficacy of topical finasteride in the treatment of male and female type hair loss
Usage: A structured search was conducted on Google, and over 800 records were found, many of which met the inclusion criteria.
2. Safety and efficacy of topical finasteride in men
Effectiveness
Multiple studies have shown that topical finasteride has a certain therapeutic effect on male androgenic alopecia. It can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth to a certain extent. For example, small-scale clinical trials have shown that after using topical finasteride solution for a period of time, patients' hair density increases, and the phenomenon of transforming from fine hair to terminal hair can be seen more clearly through hair microscopy.
In a phase III randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of local 0.25% w/w finasteride spray (1-4 spray; 50-200 μ l/day) and once daily finasteride 1 mg oral tablet was similar, when administered for 24 weeks (mean change from baseline, 20.2 hairs/cm2 and 21.1 hairs/cm2). In addition, a double-blind, randomized trial compared the efficacy of 1% finasteride topical gel twice daily and 1 mg finasteride oral tablet once daily for 6 months, and found that the results of the two groups were similar. In addition, the combination of topical minoxidil and topical finasteride may enhance therapeutic efficacy. Topical application of finasteride can reduce scalp and plasma DHT levels.
Security
Compared to oral finasteride, the advantage of topical finasteride is that it has relatively fewer systemic side effects. Oral administration of finasteride may cause adverse reactions such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced ejaculation volume, as the oral medication can have an impact on the entire body after entering the bloodstream.
The external use of finasteride mainly exerts its effect locally, and the amount of medication entering the bloodstream is relatively small. However, some patients may still experience local skin irritation, such as redness, itching, and other adverse reactions.
Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative?
Conclusion: For those concerned about the systemic side effects of oral finasteride preparations, topical finasteride may be an alternative option.
Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; Female type hair loss; Male type hair loss; Oral administration of finasteride; Topical application of finasteride; Topical application of minoxidil.