TLDR Finasteride effectively treats male pattern hair loss by promoting hair growth and density.
Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, was approved for treating male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in 1997 at a dose of 1 mg/day. It worked by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which played a role in hair loss. The reduction in DHT led to significant improvements in hair growth and density, as assessed both subjectively and objectively. Finasteride was generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including reduced libido, decreased ejaculate volume, and gynaecomastia.
4 citations,
December 2020 in “Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia” Italian guidelines recommend using trichoscopy for diagnosis and treatments like minoxidil for hair loss.
9 citations,
January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders” Hair loss from conditions like LPP and FFA can potentially be reversed with the right treatment.
20 citations,
January 2016 in “Intractable & Rare Diseases Research” Combination therapy, especially with finasteride, is effective for treating frontal fibrosing alopecia.
92 citations,
October 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride improves hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism.
10 citations,
June 2001 in “PubMed” Finasteride is effective in growing hair and stopping hair loss in men with mild to moderate alopecia.
72 citations,
January 2001 in “Drugs” Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss; more research needed for other options.
187 citations,
June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.
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.
