Topical Finasteride: A Comprehensive Review of Androgenetic Alopecia Management for Men and Women

September 2023 in “ Cureus ”

Akshunna Keerti, Bhushan Madke, Akshaya Keerti, Mark Joseph C Lopez, Francesca S Lirio

TLDR Topical finasteride might be a good alternative for hair loss treatment with fewer side effects, but more research is needed.

The document reviews the use of topical finasteride (FNS) in managing androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common hair loss condition linked to the binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to androgen receptors in the hair follicle. Systemic finasteride, which inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT, is a common treatment but has side effects. Topical FNS has shown promise in animal studies, with a 2% solution increasing follicular density in a mouse model. The document also discusses genetic and environmental factors contributing to AGA. The document concludes that topical FNS may be a beneficial alternative to systemic medication for AGA, but more research is needed. The study also found that the FOXC1 gene was significantly expressed in active murine hair follicle stem cells, assisting the transition to the quiescent state. Topical FNS combined with MNX 2 percent and FNS 1 mg was found to be superior to either FNS or MNX monotherapy.

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