Topical minoxidil is an FDA-approved treatment for male and female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA). Despite its popularity, not very many people continue using topical minoxidil for the long-run. In fact, one clinical study found that by the one-year mark, 95% of topical minoxidil users voluntarily quit applying the drug – … Read more…
In this article, we’ll explore the history of minoxidil, how it became a hair loss drug, and the debate over its mechanisms of action for hair growth. Despite decades of study, researchers still do not know how minoxidil promotes hair growth. But they do have some ideas, and these ideas have remained the subject of … Read more…
How Often Does Topical Finasteride Need To Be Applied? Most clinicians recommend using topical finasteride at least once daily. However, its minimum viable frequency of application depends on factors such as daily drug exposure and contact time with the scalp. For those who can keep topical finasteride on their scalps for 10-12 hours (or longer), … Read more…
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind topical finasteride, if incidental exposure to the drug comes with a risk of harming pregnant women and/or children, and strategies you can employ starting today to minimize inadvertently exposing your household to secondary finasteride exposure – all while still preserving your hair gains from the drug. Topical … Read more…
Oral finasteride, a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is one of the most effective treatments available for androgenic alopecia (AGA). However, concerns over the drug’s potential side effects prevent many men from ever considering the medication. In the last several years, nearly a dozen studies have shown that certain formulation topical finasteride may confer the … Read more…
Topical finasteride is an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia – particularly for those interested in better localizing the drug’s effects to the scalp. Unfortunately, prescriptions for topical finasteride can cost as much as $50-$100 per month. This prices out a lot of people who would’ve otherwise committed to the topical had it not been for … Read more…
What is Finasteride, and Which Finasteride is Best? Finasteride is a drug approved by the FDA to treat benign prostate hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. It is prescribed as a 1 mg daily tablet for men with androgenic alopecia. It is also prescribed in higher dosages for women suffering from female pattern hair loss. This ranges … Read more…
Finasteride Side Effects Finasteride is the most powerful, well-studied, FDA-approved drug for androgenic alopecia (AGA). It stops AGA progression in 80-90% of men and, on average, leads to a 10% increase in hair count over two years. For men wanting a hands-off approach to hair maintenance, finasteride is often an excellent option. That said, finasteride … Read more…
I Am Experiencing Side Effects From Minoxidil. What Should I Do? If experiencing side effects from minoxidil, it’s best to speak with the prescribing physician as soon as possible to discuss next steps. Discontinuing use, however, is not the only option. There are strategies to reduce minoxidil’s side effects (while still benefiting from the drug) … Read more…
Topical Finasteride Finasteride is a hair loss drug for treatment of androgenic alopecia. It inhibits the 5-alpha reductase type II enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Topical finasteride formulations (think: solution, spray, or gel) are growing in popularity because of their localized approach. Oral finasteride reduces DHT everywhere in the body. Topical finasteride … Read more…