Massive Shedding and Itchy Scalp (Fin 1mg 4x/week, Dut 0.5mg 3x/week, Minoxidil 1ml 2x/day)—Seeking Advice
    Finasteride/Dutasteride 1/10/2025

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Dutasteride →

    Heavy duty finasteride that comes with higher risks

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    At a glance
    In this treatment experience post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral) 1mg 4x/week 8 years
    💊 Dutasteride (oral) 0.5mg 3x/week 1 year
    💧 Minoxidil (topical) 1ml 2x/day 1 year
    💧 Ketoconazole shampoo (topical) 1x/week 8 years
    💧 Liquid cortisone (topical)
    the tone is 😞 negative with initially impressive results, now thinning.

    Other terms

    The user experienced significant hair shedding and an itchy scalp after using a combination of Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil. They are seeking advice on whether Dutasteride might be causing these issues and are considering adjusting their treatment regimen.
    View this post in the Community →

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    5 / 5 results

      community 1 year long Dutasteride shed finally working itself out

       70 upvotes 1 month ago
      A user shared their experience with hair loss treatment, initially using finasteride and minoxidil with good results, but switched to dutasteride, which led to significant shedding for nearly a year. Recently, they noticed new hair growth and are hopeful for improvement, despite experiencing scalp itch and occasional heart racing from minoxidil.

      community Has fin cured your itchy scalp?

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  6 upvotes 4 months ago
      Finasteride users often experience itchy scalps, which may improve over time, but many rely on ketoconazole shampoo to manage symptoms. Some users find that finasteride helps with hair shedding, but not with scalp irritation, which may require additional treatment.

      community Still have itchy scalp after 6 months on fin + keto

       29 upvotes 3 months ago
      The user experiences an itchy scalp despite using finasteride and ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss. Suggestions include trying different shampoos, switching to dutasteride, and using topical treatments for inflammation.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      Interventions for Female Pattern Hair Loss

      research Interventions for female pattern hair loss

      21 citations , May 2016 in “The Cochrane library”
      This review found that while topical minoxidil is effective for treating female pattern hair loss, finasteride showed no more effectiveness than placebo, and low-level laser therapy increased hair count but with inconsistent results.
      A Review on Herbal Drugs Used for Hair Growth Promotion

      research A Review on Herbal Drugs Used For Hair Growth Promotion

      May 2026 in “International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology”
      This source describes how androgenic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, affects about 70% of men and is linked to factors like stress, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle issues, which can also impact psychological well-being and potentially contribute to severe health conditions such as heart disease.
      Androgenetic Alopecia: Causes, Treatments, and Genetic Factors

      research Androgenetic Alopecia

      1 citations , July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks”
      This review covers androgenetic alopecia's epidemiology, pathogenesis, current management options, and research trends, concluding that no definitive cure exists despite extensive interest and ongoing genetic research efforts.
      Primary Cicatricial Alopecia: Treatment Approaches and Classification

      research Primary cicatricial alopecia

      95 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”
      This article reviews primary cicatricial alopecias, focusing on lymphocytic forms such as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, according to a classification by the North American Hair Research Society, and reports no new clinical results.
      Male And Female Pattern Hair Loss

      research Male and female pattern hair loss

      June 2025 in “Australian Prescriber”
      In this study, the authors highlighted treatments for androgenetic alopecia, noting that combination therapies with drugs like minoxidil and antiandrogens often require at least 6 months for clinical improvement, while also emphasizing the value of patient counseling for informed treatment choices.