The conclusion is that substances can penetrate hair fibers through multiple pathways, including both the cell membranecomplex and the non-keratinous parts.
Dutasteride takes 1-3 months to affect scalp DHT levels, not just a week. The prostate absorbs Dutasteride faster than the scalp due to different vascular networks and enzyme densities.
Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.
A user questions if ingesting topical minoxidil could be an alternative to oral minoxidil for hair loss. Another user reports success with this method, noting they saw results and experienced no adverse effects.
The conversation discusses making a topical melatonin solution for hair loss treatment, questioning if isopropyl alcohol can dissolve melatonin. Melatonin is soluble in lipids and alcohol, but it's unstable and should be mixed fresh regularly; it may help hair growth by affecting certain cellular signaling pathways and has anti-androgenic effects.
A user experienced increased hair shedding and unchanged DHT levels after taking 0.25mg of finasteride for 47 days, leading them to increase the dose to 0.5mg. Others discussed varying experiences with finasteride, minoxidil, and the importance of measuring scalp DHT.