The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

October 1999 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Lynn A. Drake, Maria K. Hordinsky, Virginia C. Fiedler, James B. Swinehart, Walter Unger, Paul C. Cotterill, Diane Thiboutot, Nicholas J. Lowe, Coleman Jacobson, David A. Whiting, Sam Stieglitz, Stephen R. Kraus, Edmond I. Griffin, Darryl S. Weiss, Patrick Carrington, Christopher Gencheff, Gary L. Cole, David M. Pariser, Edwin M. Epstein, Wesley Tanaka, Aimee Dallob, Kristel Vandormael, Lori A. Geissler, Joanne Waldsteicher

finasteride androgenetic alopecia DHT type 2 5α-reductase testosterone scalp skin serum androgen levels Propecia

TLDR Finasteride effectively reduces hair loss by decreasing androgen levels.

Finasteride is an effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia in men. It reduces serum and scalp skin androgen levels, particularly DHT, which contributes to hair loss. The drug inhibits type 2 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. The study involved a large number of participants and found that doses as low as 0.2 mg per day can effectively decrease scalp skin and serum DHT levels. Higher doses result in greater reductions but may also increase scalp skin testosterone levels. Finasteride is safe and well-tolerated with minimal side effects. The drug can also improve the overall health and quality of scalp skin.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations, June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations, October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

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 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

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

Taking finasteride pills and using minoxidil lotion together can help grow hair.

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.

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

147 citations, April 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 156 upvotes 11 months ago

The conversation discusses the effectiveness of hair loss treatments, specifically finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels and may be more effective than finasteride for long-term hair retention, with some users reporting personal experiences and side effects.

community Pirfenidone - The answer to fibrosis and baldness

in Treatment 19 upvotes 3 years ago

Pirfenidone is suggested to treat fibrosis and baldness by blocking inflammation markers and reducing collagen. It is also available as a gel for scar removal.

community Be careful when switching from Finasteride to Dutasteride because for more efficacy.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 13 upvotes 1 month ago

Switching from finasteride to dutasteride may be more effective for hair regrowth due to dutasteride's stronger enzyme inhibition, but combining both drugs could enhance results. Some users report better outcomes with dutasteride, while others recommend a gradual transition to prevent potential hair loss.

community FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

in Research 330 upvotes 2 months ago

FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.

community Dutasteride might be better for your hairline. Some people have more type 1 5AR activity in their scalp than others.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 52 upvotes 1 year ago

Dutasteride might be better for hairline due to varying levels of 5AR activity in scalps. Genetic tests can determine if finasteride is enough or if dutasteride is needed.

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

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 72 upvotes 1 year 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.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

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 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.

The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

Research cited in this study

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

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

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

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

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

Related Community Posts Join

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

community Pirfenidone - The answer to fibrosis and baldness

community Be careful when switching from Finasteride to Dutasteride because for more efficacy.

community FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

community Dutasteride might be better for your hairline. Some people have more type 1 5AR activity in their scalp than others.

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

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research The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

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

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