Topical Finasteride for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: Is It a Safe and Effective Alternative?

March 2022 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Anik Gupta, Mesbah Uddin Talukder

topical finasteride oral finasteride male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss topical minoxidil hair density scalp irritation Propecia Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review found that topical finasteride has similar efficacy to oral finasteride in treating male and female pattern hair loss, with fewer systemic side effects, mainly causing localized scalp reactions like irritation and erythema.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

Topical finasteride appears to be a safe and effective alternative for treating male and female pattern hair loss, offering similar efficacy to oral finasteride but with reduced systemic side effects. In a phase III trial, topical finasteride spray showed comparable results to oral finasteride in increasing hair density over 24 weeks. Additionally, a combination of topical minoxidil and finasteride may enhance treatment efficacy. Topical finasteride primarily causes localized side effects such as scalp irritation, making it a viable option for those concerned about the systemic side effects of oral finasteride.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Efficacy and Safety of Topical Finasteride Spray Solution for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Phase III, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

11 citations , October 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that topical finasteride significantly increased hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo while maintaining similar efficacy to oral finasteride but with lower systemic exposure and a reduced impact on serum DHT levels, potentially minimizing sexual side effects.

research Dihydrotestosterone Regulates Hair Growth Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in C57BL/6 Mice and In Vitro Organ Culture

23 citations , January 2020 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

In this study, DHT was observed to have varying effects on hair follicle growth and related protein expression depending on concentration, with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway potentially playing a significant role.

research Long-Term (10-Year) Efficacy of Finasteride in 523 Japanese Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

8 citations , January 2019 in “Clinical research and trials”

This study found that long-term treatment with 1 mg/day finasteride over 10 years resulted in high efficacy and prevention of disease progression in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious adverse reactions reported.

Evaluation of Long-Term Efficacy of Finasteride in Korean Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Using the Basic and Specific Classification System

research Evaluation of Long-Term Efficacy of Finasteride in Korean Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Using the Basic and Specific Classification System

11 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that finasteride 1 mg improved hair growth in 85.7% of Korean men with androgenetic alopecia over five years, with varying effectiveness depending on the type of hair loss.

research Sexual Problems of Men With Androgenic Alopecia Treated With 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

10 citations , October 2018 in “Sexual medicine reviews”

This review discusses sexual side effects in men with androgenic alopecia treated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and reports no new clinical findings.

Efficacy of Topical Combination of 0.25% Finasteride and 3% Minoxidil Versus 3% Minoxidil Solution in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

research Efficacy of Topical Combination of 0.25% Finasteride and 3% Minoxidil Versus 3% Minoxidil Solution in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

36 citations , September 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study found that a topical combination of 0.25% finasteride and 3% minoxidil may increase hair diameter more effectively than 3% minoxidil alone in postmenopausal women with female pattern hair loss.

research Comparing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil and Finasteride with Topical Minoxidil and Oral Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Trial

4 citations , July 2018 in “International Journal of Research in Dermatology”

This study found that among patients with stage III and IV androgenic alopecia, 83% of those using topical 5% minoxidil with topical 0.1% finasteride showed improved hair density, suggesting it may reduce the need for long-term oral finasteride.

A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that a topical solution combining 0.25% finasteride with 3% minoxidil significantly improved hair growth, as measured by hair density, diameter, and global assessment, in men with androgenetic alopecia, compared to 3% minoxidil alone, over 24 weeks without systemic adverse effects reported.

research Cross-Sectional Study on Prescription Habits in Androgenetic Alopecia Among Dermatologists in Spain in 2017

10 citations , April 2018 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas”

This study describes the prescribing habits of Spanish dermatologists, highlighting that topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the most common treatments for male AGA and postmenopausal female AGA.

research Assessing Dutasteride-Associated Sexual Dysfunction Using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System

7 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that dutasteride use is associated with increased reports of sexual dysfunction, based on data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System.

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

90 citations , March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine”

In this study, older men using 5α-reductase inhibitors for prostatic enlargement did not show increased risk of suicide, but had elevated risks of self-harm and depression.

research Assessing Finasteride-Associated Sexual Dysfunction Using the FAERS Database

24 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study reported a significant increase in the reporting of sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride use, especially in individuals aged 31-45.

A Novel Finasteride 0.25% Topical Solution for Androgenetic Alopecia: Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Plasma Androgen Levels in Healthy Male Volunteers

research A Novel Finasteride 0.25% Topical Solution for Androgenetic Alopecia: Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Plasma Androgen Levels in Healthy Male Volunteers

50 citations , July 2014 in “International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics”

This study found that both topical and oral finasteride significantly reduced plasma DHT after one week, with lower finasteride plasma exposure for the topical formulation.

Finasteride, 1 Mg Daily Administration on Male Androgenetic Alopecia in Different Age Groups: 10-Year Follow-Up

research Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: Preliminary Evaluations After a 16-Month Therapy Course

30 citations , January 1997 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study reported that a 0.005% finasteride solution may encourage hair regrowth and reduce balding areas in patients with androgenic alopecia, without significant absorption or adverse effects.