Fluridil (topilutamide) is a topical anti-androgen that may help reduce levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the scalp. Some users claim the drug regrows hair, doesn’t cause side effects, and doesn’t affect hormones elsewhere in the body. But is this actually true? To date, there are only two clinical studies trialing fluridil for the … Read more
How much regrowth can we expect from minoxidil? As with any hair loss treatment, it depends on a number of factors: genetic variance in the SULT1A1 gene, the delivery method of minoxidil (oral vs. topical), the dosing amount and schedule, and if minoxidil is combined with interventions that might enhance its hair growth-promoting effects, such as … Read more
Despite decades of study and FDA approval, researchers still aren’t sure exactly how minoxidil regrows hair. Over the last few years, investigators have explored a number of hypothetical mechanisms ranging from vasodilation to prostaglandin modulation to anti-androgenic effects. In this article, we’ll formulate the strongest arguments for and … Read more
Is a single daily topical finasteride application enough to significantly reduce DHT levels and regrow hair? It depends on the dilution of topical finasteride, the application volume (in mL), the carrier ingredients, how long that topical finasteride is left on the scalp prior to washing it out, and whether that topical finasteride is combined … Read more
Oral finasteride is prescribed at 1 mg daily to treat androgenic alopecia (AGA). However, clinical studies suggest that doses as low as 0.2 mg daily can reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) nearly the same as 1.0 mg daily doses, and improve hair counts similarly to 1 mg daily. But do these lower finasteride doses also come with a lower risk … Read more
After quitting finasteride, two-year clinical studies suggest that hair loss resumes 1-3 months after withdrawal. Within 3-12 months of quitting, hair counts return to where they were prior to starting the drug, and hair loss continues. But what about those who quit finasteride … Read more
Finasteride is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment, with clinical studies showing that the drug lowers levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 60-70%, and in doing so, improves outcomes of androgenic alopecia (AGA) for 80-90% of the men who try to the drug. But how long do finasteride’s effects last after … Read more
Oral finasteride is an excellent option for men wanting a ‘hands-free’ approach to hair maintenance. However, some men decide to temporarily or discontinue use of the drug to troubleshoot side effects, conceive, or even start donating blood. Under these circumstances, how long does finasteride stay in the … Read more
The best daily dose of finasteride should strike the balance between minimizing drug exposure (and thereby side effect risks) while maximizing drug efficacy (and thereby hair regrowth). While the FDA has approved 1 mg daily doses of finasteride for androgenic alopecia, there’s also evidence that doses as low as 0.2 mg daily reduce … Read more
Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS) is a term used to describe persistent sexual or cognitive side effects from finasteride, even months after quitting the medication. The existence of PFS is hotly debated amongst hair loss researchers, endocrinologists, and dermatologists. In this article, we’ll explore some of the science-based arguments on both … Read more