The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

September 1994 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism ”

Aimee Dallob, Neil S. Sadick, W Unger, S Lipert, Lori A. Geissler, S L Gregoire, Hung T. Nguyen, E C Moore, W Tanaka

finasteride 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor testosterone dihydrotestosterone DHT male pattern baldness scalp skin Propecia androgenic alopecia

TLDR Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.

The study investigated the effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations in patients with male pattern baldness. The results showed that finasteride significantly reduced DHT levels in the scalp skin, which is believed to be a key factor in the development of male pattern baldness. The study suggests that finasteride may be an effective treatment for male pattern baldness.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research Azasteroids as Inhibitors of Testosterone 5α-Reductase in Mammalian Skin

34 citations , February 1993 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology”

Certain 4-azasteroids are effective at blocking the enzyme that processes testosterone in human skin and could help treat acne, excessive hair growth, and male pattern baldness.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.

Hair Growth Effects of Oral Administration of Finasteride, a Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Topical Minoxidil in the Balding Stumptail Macaque

research Hair Growth Effects of Oral Administration of Finasteride, a Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Topical Minoxidil in the Balding Stumptail Macaque

34 citations , February 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride and minoxidil together promote hair growth better than either alone.

research The Clinical Development of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride

211 citations , November 1990 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH, but needs more trials to understand potential.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community One year anti androgen update CROWN

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 338 upvotes 2 years ago

User used Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil for one year to treat hair loss. They discussed possibly trying RU58841 or pyrilutamide in the future.

community Can I still save my hairline at age of 15?

in General 471 upvotes 1 week ago

A 15-year-old is concerned about hair loss, possibly at Norwood 2 or 3, and is using shampoos and conditioners recommended by a trichologist. Suggestions include considering topical minoxidil and consulting a doctor about topical anti-DHT treatments like finasteride or RU58841, but avoiding 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors at this age.

community Topical Finasteride Doesn't Directly Reduce 5ar Enzyme on Scalp

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 72 upvotes 2 years ago

Topical Finasteride doesn't directly reduce 5ar enzyme on scalp and has the same mechanism as oral, needing to go through the liver. Users debate the accuracy of this information and discuss various studies and experiences.

community My good/bad experience with Creatine

in Treatment 23 upvotes 7 months ago

Creatine may cause increased hair shedding in some individuals, especially those with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), despite its physical performance benefits. Many users report stopping creatine to reduce hair loss, while others believe the effects are anecdotal or due to other factors like increased physical activity.

community Is this broscience? From More Plates, More Dates

in Research/Science 21 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses whether finasteride's reduction of DHT and increase in scalp testosterone contribute to hair follicle miniaturization. Some participants argue testosterone does not cause miniaturization, while others suggest that even with reduced DHT, other androgens like testosterone may still contribute to hair loss.

community The Real Cause Of Androgenetic Alopecia

in Research/Science 676 upvotes 1 year ago

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by DHT affecting hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss by blocking DHT and promoting hair growth.

Related Research

10 / 10 results

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia

November 2014 in “PharmaTutor”

Finasteride may help postmenopausal women with hair loss but is not effective for all and should be used cautiously in premenopausal women.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.

5α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia

January 1998 in “NEJM Journal Watch”

Finasteride increases hair count in men with hair loss, but the effect isn't permanent and hair loss returns if treatment stops.

The Effects of Finasteride on Hair Growth, Hair Cycle Stage, and Serum Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone in Adult Male and Female Stumptail Macaques

research The Effects of Finasteride on Hair Growth, Hair Cycle Stage, and Serum Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone in Adult Male and Female Stumptail Macaques

11 citations , October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride increases hair growth, prolongs hair cycle, and lowers dihydrotestosterone levels.

The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

59 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients With Male Pattern Baldness

61 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.