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Learn MoreTopical finasteride is gaining traction as a lower-risk alternative to oral finasteride, especially for those concerned about systemic side effects. In the U.S., providers like Ulo and Strut stand out for customization and lab-tested purity. Canadian options include Xyon Health and Essential Clinic, while the UK and EU offer licensed sprays and private compounding through clinics like Hair Repair and Sons. No matter your location, choose sources with strong medical oversight and clear quality standards to ensure you’re getting a safe, effective treatment.
Topical finasteride is a well-known 5ɑ-reductase inhibitor used off-label as a localized treatment for androgenic alopecia (AGA). Finasteride in oral form is an FDA-approved medication for AGA, but its topical formulation is not officially approved in the US. However, compounding pharmacists and telehealth services do prepare it for off-label use.
The goal of using finasteride topically is to deliver the drug to hair follicles in the scalp while minimizing systemic absorption, thereby reducing the risk of side effects commonly associated with the oral pill. Below, we’ll discuss how topical finasteride works and why the source of your topical finasteride matters. Then we’ll explore where to buy topical finasteride in the US and around the world.
Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5ɑ-reductase (specifically the type II isoenzyme) that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the androgen hormone that binds to hair follicles and causes them to miniaturize in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to thinning hair and eventual hair loss. By blocking DHT production, especially in the scalp, finasteride helps halt this miniaturization process, thereby maintaining or increasing hair density.
Oral finasteride (1 mg daily) is a proven treatment that significantly increases hair counts compared to placebo in men with AGA.[1]Gupta, K.A., Venkataraman, M., Talukdar, M., Bamimore, M.A. (2021). Finasteride for hair loss: a review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 1938-1946. Available at: … Continue reading It’s this effect that topical formulations also aim to achieve, but with a more localized effect.
The hope of the topical finasteride formulation is localized delivery of the drug to the scalp, which can minimize systemic exposure. By applying finasteride directly to the balding areas, high drug concentrations can be achieved in the skin and hair follicles where it’s needed, while ideally limiting how much finasteride enters the bloodstream. This targeted approach means the scalp DHT can be lowered substantially (similar to oral finasteride’s effect on scalp DHT) without as large a reduction in blood DHT levels.[2]Zhou, C., Bin, Y., Huiming, Z., Rushan, X., Ningning, D., Qinping, Y., Chunlei, Z., Guogiang, Z., Aihua, W., Wei, L., Shuxia, Y., Qingchun, D., Yangfeng, D., Liming, W., Lunfei, L., Danyang, J., … Continue reading In other words, topical finasteride can maintain the same inhibitory effect on scalp DHT with significantly less impact on systemic DHT levels.
While research is ongoing, the suspected outcome of this is that at the right doses, topical finasteride usage will lead to lower side effects than oral. Oral finasteride is well-tolerated by most, but a minority of users experience side effects like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or other hormone-related issues. Research shows that these side effects are less common with topical finasteride.[3]Gupta, A.K., Talukder, M. (2022). Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 21(5). 1841-1848. Available at: … Continue reading
Clinical trials of a 0.25% finasteride topical spray in men showed significant hair regrowth versus placebo, with good safety and tolerability; no serious adverse effects were reported, and only mild localized side effects (like slight scalp irritation) occurred.[4]Piraccini, B.M., Blume-Peytavi, U., Scarci, F., Jansat, J.M., Falques, M., Otero, R., Tamarit, M.L., Galvan, J., Tebbs, V., Massana, E. (2021). Efficacy and safety of topical finasteride spray … Continue reading
Other studies similarly report that topical finasteride users experience far fewer sexual side effect reports than oral users, suggesting that keeping finasteride localized to the scalp can indeed mitigate many unwanted systemic effects.[5]Gupta, A.K., Talukder, M., Keene, S.A., Bamimore, M.A. (2025). Is the Safety of Finasteride Correlated with Its Route of Administration: Topical Versus Oral? A Pharmacovigilance Study with Data from … Continue reading Moreover, by delivering the drug via the skin, it’s possible to use a small total dose of finasteride (since it isn’t undergoing first-phase metabolism in the liver), yet still achieve a therapeutic effect in the hair follicle.
Since topical finasteride lacks FDA approval as a commercial hair loss treatment, it relies on compounding pharmacies and specialized telehealth providers for preparation. This creates substantial variation in formulation quality and standards across different sources.
The compounding process introduces multiple variables that can significantly impact the final product. Different providers may use varying preparation techniques, carrier systems, and active ingredient concentrations, resulting in inconsistent efficacy and safety profiles between products.[6]American Hair Loss Association. (no date). Hair Loss Treatments Online: What to Know About Compounded Medications. Available at: … Continue reading Without the stringent regulatory framework that governs mass-produced pharmaceuticals, these compounded formulations face less oversight regarding quality control and manufacturing standards.
This regulatory gap creates particular concerns around dosing accuracy. Compounded topical finasteride products may contain active ingredient levels that differ from their labeled concentrations, potentially leading to subtherapeutic underdosing or potentially harmful overdosing. The lack of standardized manufacturing processes and quality assurance protocols means patients cannot be certain they are receiving the intended dose or purity level.
These factors underscore why careful selection of telehealth providers and compounding sources becomes essential when considering topical finasteride treatment, as the wide variation in preparation methods and quality standards can directly influence both treatment outcomes and patient safety.
The cost of topical finasteride can vary depending on where you get it and what’s included. In general, because these are custom prescriptions, they tend to be more expensive than generic oral finasteride. Prices can fluctuate based on local pharmacy compounding costs, the inclusion of additional active ingredients, and how the product is sold (subscription model vs. one-time purchase).
Ingredient purity represents another consideration, as the quality of raw finasteride used in compounding can fluctuate significantly based on the supplier and sourcing practices. This introduces concerns about both therapeutic effectiveness and the risk of contamination or impurities in the final product. The inconsistency in raw material quality means that patients may receive formulations with compromised potency or unknown adulterants that could affect safety profiles.
These quality variations highlight the importance of thoroughly evaluating both the provider and their compounding standards when selecting a topical finasteride treatment. Patients and healthcare providers should prioritize sources that demonstrate transparency in their sourcing practices, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures to ensure they receive a safe and effective compounded topical finasteride product.
Now, let’s explore where you can get topical finasteride in various regions (US, Canada, UK/EU, and elsewhere).
In the US, there is no FDA-approved topical finasteride product on the market. Therefore, all topical finasteride is obtained via prescription compounding. The US has a thriving telehealth industry for hair loss, so many patients get topical finasteride by consulting an online healthcare provider who can prescribe a compounded solution shipped to them.
Ulo stands out in the US telehealth market for its high degree of flexibility and rigorous standards:
You can read more about our product lab testing results here.
Ulo was built by advocates who have spent over a decade exposing the hair loss industry’s worst practices and decided to solve them.
HappyHead is a US-based telehealth company specializing in hair growth solutions with a strong focus on medical-grade, customizable topical treatments. HappyHead offers prescription Topical Finasteride, either as monotherapy or in combination with minoxidil and/or retinoic acid, compounded for each patient after an online consultation with a licensed physician.
Some versions include minoxidil (up to 8%) and tretinoin, aiming to optimize results based on patient needs and tolerance. HappyHead’s platform emphasizes medical guidance, ongoing support, and flexible subscriptions, shipping directly to consumers in most US states.
Strut Health is an online compounding pharmacy that provides custom formulas for hair loss. Strut allows some customization: their Finasteride Hair Loss Formula can include finasteride 0.25%, minoxidil 0-7.5%, tretinoin 0-0.0125%, fluocinolone 0.01%, and biotin. Corticosteroids are often used to offset the potential irritation that comes with topical use; however, this comes at the risk of long-term skin thinning for customers.
We conducted third-party testing on their custom formula and found that it met the required levels of finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin.
Hims & Hers is a large digital health platform focused on men’s and women’s health. They offer a Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray for hair loss, featuring finasteride 0.1% and minoxidil 6%. A dual-action, pill-free formula is available by prescription after an online consultation. The spray is designed to minimize systemic absorption and side effects compared to oral finasteride, and it’s marketed for its convenient application and personalized telehealth experience.
While we haven’t done third-party testing on their topical formulation, we did on their oral finasteride counterpart – and it met the claimed level of finasteride.
Ro is a well-known direct-to-consumer telehealth provider. Their Roman Hair Solution Rx is a 3-in-1 prescription topical spray: finasteride 0.3%, minoxidil 6%, and tretinoin 0.025%. Ro emphasizes convenience with free follow-ups and no required video visits. Customization is not as extensive as with some compounding pharmacies.
Similar to Hims, we haven’t done third-party testing on their topical formulation, but we did on their oral finasteride product – and it met the claimed level of finasteride.
Keeps is a telehealth brand specializing exclusively in men’s hair loss treatments. Their Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Gel delivers 0.25% finasteride and 5% minoxidil in a single application. Keeps focuses on ease of use, competitive pricing, and online medical evaluations, shipping treatments directly to most US states.
As with the above, we haven’t done third-party testing on their topical formulation, but we did on their oral finasteride product – and it met the claimed level of finasteride.
Provider | Customization | Add-Ons | Dosing Flexibility | Approx. Price/Serving | Purity Testing |
Ulo | Yes | Minoxidil 7%, Cetirizine 1%, Tretinoin 0.01%, Melatonin 0.01%, and Caffeine 0.2% | Yes, 0.005% or 0.2% finasteride | $0.61 | 3rd-party lab reports. |
HappyHead | No, the doctor customizes the product for you | Finasteride (0.3%), Minoxidil (8%), Retinoic Acid (0.001%), Hydrocortisone (1%) | No | $1.98 | 3rd-party lab reports of another product were mixed, with some ingredients not meeting the claimed dose. |
Strut | Yes | Finasteride 0.25%, Minoxidil 0-7.5%, Tretinoin 0-0.0125%, Fluocinolone 0.01%, and Biotin. | Yes | $1.97 | 3rd-party lab reports of topical finasteride were good. |
Hims | No | Finasteride and Minoxidil | No | $0.65 | No 3rd party testing for their topical product, but their oral finasteride product passed lab testing. |
Ro | No | Finasteride 0.3%, Minoxidil 6%, and Tretinoin 0.025% | No | $0.65 | No 3rd party testing done for topical finasteride |
Keeps | No | Finasteride and Minoxidil | No | $2 | No 3rd party testing for their topical product, but their oral finasteride product passed lab testing. |
Xyon Health is a telehealth brand offering topical hair treatments, including dutasteride and finasteride. For their finasteride options, you can either buy finasteride alone or combined with minoxidil. The platform requires online consultations with specialist physicians and delivers medications in discreet packaging across Canada.
Jupiter is a telehealth platform offering personalized topical hair loss treatments. Through Jupiter, customers can access a compounded topical that may include finasteride as well as up to four other active ingredients, depending on their needs, including minoxidil, tretinoin, panthenol, and caffeine.
Unfortunately, they don’t advertise their concentrations or prices, mentioning that you can only view specific medication pricing and options after completing an online assessment. Jupiter provides free shipping Canada-wide, however.
Essential Clinic is a Canadian telehealth platform that specializes in men’s health issues like hair loss and erectile dysfunction. They offer Topical Finasteride + Minoxidil Liposomal Gel that combines finasteride with minoxidil in a liposomal delivery system designed to enhance scalp penetration while minimizing systemic absorption. The platform provides online consultations with licensed Canadian doctors and nurse practitioners.
Beyoung Health is another Canadian telehealth clinic (based in Ontario) that offers treatments for men’s health, including hair loss. They prescribe compounded topical finasteride as part of their hair loss program. Beyoung offers finasteride alone or in combination with minoxidil for hair loss therapy.
Beyoung’s approach is relatively patient-tailored. The doses that they offer are 0.25% finasteride + 5% minoxidil, 0.1% finasteride + 7% minoxidil foam, or finasteride 0.1% + minoxidil 10%.
Jack Health is a prominent Canadian telehealth platform that offers personalized hair loss treatments, including topical finasteride formulations. Their hair loss program features a product called “Hello Hair”. This program provides custom topical ingredients that may include topical finasteride to assist with hair regrowth.
Provider | Customization | Add-Ons | Dosing Flexibility | Approx. Price/Serving | Purity Testing |
Xyon Health | Yes | Minoxidil 6% | Yes, Finasteride 0.25% (with 5% minoxidil) or 2.5% (finasteride alone) | $1.21 | No |
Essential Clinic | No | Finasteride 2.5% and Minoxidil 5% | No | $1.61 | No |
Jupiter | Yes | Minoxidil, Tretinoin, Panthenol, and Caffeine. | Unknown | Unknown | None |
Beyoung Health | Yes | Minoxidil (different strengths) | Yes Finasteride 0.25% (+5% minoxidil) or 0.1% (+7/10% minoxidil) | Unknown | None |
Jack Health | No | N/A | Yes | Unknown | None |
If you don’t want to buy topical finasteride from a telehealth company, a few dermatology clinics can also prescribe and compound topical finasteride. If you prefer an in-person route, you could ask your dermatologist about a topical finasteride prescription to be made at a local compounding pharmacy. The downside is that compounding costs in Canada can be high, and many dermatologists are still more comfortable with oral finasteride.
In the UK and EU, the situation is a bit different because, unlike the US and Canada, there has been a topical finasteride formulation approved in some markets. In 2021, a finasteride 0.25% topical solution received approval in certain European countries.[7]Zhou, C., Bin, Y., Huiming, Z., Rushan, X., Ningning, D., Qinping, Y., Chunlei, Z., Guogiang, Z., Aihua, W., Wei, L., Shuxia, Y., Qingchun, D., Yangfeng, D., Liming, W., Lunfei, L., Danyang, J., … Continue reading
Hair Repair Clinic is a UK-based specialist compounding pharmacy offering Finasol, their custom-formulated topical finasteride solution. They use TrichoSol, a proprietary alcohol-light delivery system made from natural mineral salts that’s free of propylene glycol to minimize scalp irritation. Available in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1% finasteride, with custom strengths available upon request.
UsMen is a UK telehealth platform specializing in men’s health that offers Topical Finasteride 0.1% and Minoxidil 5% spray. They emphasize competitive pricing and do not require subscriptions. To purchase their prescription products, you must complete a consultation.
Dr Fox is an established UK online pharmacy that offers Dr. Fox Hair Growth Spray containing finasteride 0.3% and minoxidil 5%. They provide a dual-action topical spray designed to combine the DHT-blocking effects of finasteride with the growth-stimulating properties of minoxidil.
Sons is a major UK telehealth platform offering a Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray, combining finasteride with minoxidil and tretinoin. They claim to be the only UK licence holder for both finasteride and minoxidil treatments.
Manual is another leading UK men’s health platform offering an all-in-one spray containing topical finasteride, 10% minoxidil, and 5% azelaic acid. This triple-therapy approach is designed to address multiple aspects of hair loss. Manual provides comprehensive medical support throughout treatment.
Hims UK operates as the British arm of the US company, offering topical finasteride and minoxidil combinations. They provide subscription-based services with online consultations and ongoing medical support. Unfortunately, without going through the consultation, we cannot find out the dosage and price options.
This London-based hair clinic also offers compounded topical formulas for sale. They advertise a topical finasteride (0.1%) and dutasteride (0.1%) combination solution (for men only) for £69.99 ($94.72). They also offer a minoxidil (5%) and finasteride (0.25%) combination solution for the same price.
Provider | Customization | Add-Ons | Dosing Flexibility | Approx. Price/Serving | Purity Testing |
Hair Repair Clinic | Yes | Minoxidil | 0.025%,0.05%, and 0.1% | $0.81 | No |
Dr Fox | No | None | No | $0.58 | No |
UsMen | No | None | No | $0.51 | No |
Sons | No | None | No | Unknown | No |
Manual | No | None | No | Unknown | No |
Hims UK | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | No |
Hair Medics UK | Yes | Minoxidil, and Dutasteride | 0.1% and 0.25% | $2.71 | None |
If you choose this path, keep in mind that you’re essentially experimenting on yourself with a product of unknown quality. Whenever possible, opt for a reputable telehealth provider or licensed pharmacy. This way, you’ll have professional medical supervision and a much greater assurance that your medication actually contains the right amount of finasteride.
Topical finasteride offers a compelling alternative to oral finasteride for individuals seeking effective hair loss treatment with potentially fewer systemic side effects. While the medication is not FDA-approved in topical form in the US, reputable telehealth and compounding options are available throughout the US, Canada, and parts of Europe. Providers like Ulo, Strut, Happy Head, Xyon, and others have stepped in to fill this gap by offering prescription-based, customized topical finasteride, often with additional active ingredients like minoxidil or tretinoin to enhance results.
When choosing a provider, look beyond marketing claims. Consider customization options, pricing transparency, dosing flexibility, and, crucially, whether third-party testing verifies what’s actually in the bottle. A cheap, poorly compounded product may do more harm than good, and skipping medical oversight could leave you exposed to unnecessary risks.
If you’re serious about topical finasteride, make sure you’re sourcing it from a trusted telehealth platform or compounding pharmacy that provides medical consultation and prioritizes formulation quality. Your treatment’s success and your peace of mind depend on it.
References[+]
↑1 | Gupta, K.A., Venkataraman, M., Talukdar, M., Bamimore, M.A. (2021). Finasteride for hair loss: a review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 1938-1946. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2021.1959506 |
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↑2, ↑7 | Zhou, C., Bin, Y., Huiming, Z., Rushan, X., Ningning, D., Qinping, Y., Chunlei, Z., Guogiang, Z., Aihua, W., Wei, L., Shuxia, Y., Qingchun, D., Yangfeng, D., Liming, W., Lunfei, L., Danyang, J., Hanjie, Z., Jianzhong, Z. (2025). Efficacy and safety of topical finasteride spray solution in the treatment of Chinese men with androgenetic alopecia: A phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Chinese Medical Journal. 10. 1097. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003495 |
↑3 | Gupta, A.K., Talukder, M. (2022). Topical finasteride for male and female pattern hair loss: Is it a safe and effective alternative? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 21(5). 1841-1848. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14895 |
↑4 | Piraccini, B.M., Blume-Peytavi, U., Scarci, F., Jansat, J.M., Falques, M., Otero, R., Tamarit, M.L., Galvan, J., Tebbs, V., Massana, E. (2021). Efficacy and safety of topical finasteride spray solution for male androgenetic alopecia: a phase III, randomized, controlled clinical trial. JEADV. 36(2). 286-294. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17738 |
↑5 | Gupta, A.K., Talukder, M., Keene, S.A., Bamimore, M.A. (2025). Is the Safety of Finasteride Correlated with Its Route of Administration: Topical Versus Oral? A Pharmacovigilance Study with Data from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. International Journal of Dermatology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17957 |
↑6 | American Hair Loss Association. (no date). Hair Loss Treatments Online: What to Know About Compounded Medications. Available at: https://www.americanhairloss.org/hair-loss-treatments-online-what-to-know-about-compounded-medications-from-telemedicine-providers/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20primary%20concerns,in%20outcomes%20and%20side%20effects. (Accessed: July 2025) |
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Learn MoreDr. Sarah King is a researcher & writer who holds a BSc in Medical Biology, an MSc in Forensic Biology, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. While at university, Dr. King’s research focused on cellular aging and senescence through NAD-dependent signaling – along with research into prostaglandins and their role in hair loss. She is a co-author on several upcoming manuscripts with the Perfect Hair Health team.
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