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References:
- B. S. Chandrashekar, T. Nandhini, Vani Vasanth, Rashmi Sriram, and Shreya Navale. Topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride: An account of maintenance of hair density after replacing oral finasteride. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015 Jan-Feb; 6(1): 17–20.
- Aggarwal S, Thareja S, Verma A, Bhardwaj TR, Kumar M. An overview on 5alpha-reductase inhibitors. Steroids. 2010; 75:109–53.
- Leyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, Winters P, Lebwohl M, Hecker D, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;40:930–7.
- Van Neste D, Fuh V, Sanchez-Pedreno P, Lopez-Bran E, Wolff H, Whiting D, et al. Finasteride increases anagen hair in men with androgenetic alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143:804–10.
- Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld W, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998; 39:578–89.
- Suchonwanit P, Srisuwanwattana P, Chalermroj N, Khunkhet S. A randomized, double-blind controlled study of the efficacy and safety of topical solution of 0.25% finasteride admixed with 3% minoxidil vs. 3% minoxidil solution in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Dec;32(12): 2257-2263
- Otomo S. Hair growth effect of minoxidil. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 2002 Mar;119(3):167-74.
- Messenger AG, Rundegren J. Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth. Br J Dermatol. 2004 Feb;150(2):186-94.
Topical Finasteride And Minixidil
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss experienced in genetically predisposed individuals. It occurs due to the stimulation of genetically susceptible hair follicles by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes follicular miniaturization, resulting in decreased hair density.
Finasteride reduces DHT level by inhibiting type II 5α reductase, the enzyme responsible for conversion of testosterone to DHT, thereby inhibiting miniaturization of hair follicles. It also promotes the anagen phase (growth phase) of hair growth. Oral intake of finasteride reduces DHT levels in the blood and causes side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, etc. When oral finasteride is stopped, the DHT level rises and reverses its effects, thereby resulting in less dense hair. This accounts for an indefinite period of oral finasteride treatment.
Topical Finasteride offers localized effect on hair follicles. Unlike the oral finasteride which is associated with side effects such as decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, and gynecomastia, the topical finasteride is was well tolerated and are less associated with the systemic side effects and rebound effects after discontinuation. Based on studies, patient who had discontinued the treatment for a period of 8-12 months when resumed on topical preparation showed good improvement in hair density.
Minoxidi, on the other hand, is a potent peripheral vasodilator which was used initially for refractory hypertension but has produced hypertrichosis. Now, it is approved by FDA for hair loss treatment. For both men and women, hair follicles go through four different stages as each of your hairs grow, rests and eventually sheds. Minoxidil works by speeding up your hair’s growth cycle. By prematurely putting your hair follicles into the growth phase causing hair follicles to quickly go through the resting and shedding phases, minoxidil makes the hair cycle faster. You can almost think of minoxidil as a “reactivate” button that tells dormant hair follicles to start growing again.
Based on recent studies, the combination of topical finasteride and topical minoxidil produces synergistic effects on treating androgenetic alopecia. Revitalife Compounding Pharmacy provides combination or single ingredient topical preparations of these ingredients at various concentrations as per individual patient requirements.
