Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil are considered the only drugs able to combat hair loss and fight androgenetic alopecia. Both drugs are FDA approved.
The drug, interacting with the 5-alpha reductase, prevents the turning of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Dihydrotestosterone is the main culprit in hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. Scientific studies have shown a reduction of dihydrotestosterone in the scalp by 64% and 69% respectively for 40 days of treatment with finasteride 1mg/day and finasteride 5mg/day.
Does Finasteride really work for hair loss?
An effective decrease of the values in the blood and the consequent reduction of dihydrotestosterone in the scalp, favors in most of the cases studied, a stoppage of hair loss and in some cases also a regrowth with gradual disappearance of the thinning.
Results and Finasteride
After one year of treatment in about 50% of men aged between 20 and 40 years there is a stoppage of hair loss while the remaining 50% there is some regrowth. Only 1% of cases the treatment is ineffective or even need to stop using it due to side effects of some importance.
It was found that finasteride was more effective in the frontal area of the head with respect to the vertex.
To be taken into consideration, unfortunately, that the benefits obtained even after prolonged intake of Finasteride, are maintained only by continuing therapy indefinitely.
