Topical Finasteride Hair Loss Treatment

The side effects of finasteride can include low libido and erectile dysfunction.

Over the counter minoxidil may show modest benefit and oral finasteride (Propecia®) can help stop hair loss but the side effects of finasteride can include low libido and erectile dysfunction.

The side effects of finasteride can continue even AFTER discontinuing the medication for many months and some men complain of permanent side effects.1

Some men have given up on getting their hair back and this makes sense considering the side-effects of finasteride in terms of libido and erectile function. However, doctors who are up-to-date on modern research should know that there is safer and more effective way to reverse hair loss using topical finasteride and hormone balancing.

The main cause of hair loss in men, androgenic alopecia, is due to increased conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and this tends to happen more and more as we age. DHT has important health benefits in the body. Finasteride is a medication that prevents testosterone from converting DHT.

In terms of hair loss, we only need to decrease the DHT levels in the scalp (hair region) rather than in the ENTIRE body. This way you can get the benefit of hair growth and restoration without the side-effects.

In addition, you need to make sure you have adequate testosterone levels. Without confusing you too much I hope, what is happening as you age in terms of testosterone and DHT levels is partly that your body is increasing the conversion to DHT to make up for your decreased testosterone levels. In fact, DHT is about 4 times as potent an androgen as testosterone. Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin D, essential fatty acids (EPA, DHA, GLA), and zinc can contribute to the over-conversion of testosterone to DHT.

You need some DHT for healthy physiology and you need adequate testosterone levels. Many guys with hair loss actually have low testosterone. Testosterone actually improves hair growth when applied topically.2

Topical finasteride has been shown to improve hair regrowth and stop hair loss when applied locally to the scalp in men.3 In addition, to improve absorption and stimulate stem cells locally we suggest patients use a special dermal stimulator that has been used in Chinese medicine for hundred of years. This simultaneously improves absorption and stimulates stem cell in the scalp. In a little as 6 months most patients notice a very noticeable improvement.

We recommend checking your hormone levels, including thyroid, testosterone (free and total), and growth hormone (igf-1) to ensure that we will see optimal results with the topical approach.