HomeAnswersDermatologyhair fallCan I use a topical dose of Finasteride for hair fall to avoid the side effects of oral intake?

Does a topical dose of Finasteride prevent hair fall?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At October 15, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 26, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have hair loss related to my predisposition to DHT. I first realized my hair was thinning at the age of 18 years. I went on Finasteride, which fully stopped the hair fall and my acne cleared. I then had to stop it because I had side effects, some of which I still have after discontinuation. I stopped taking it at the age of 21 years. I am now 22-year-old and would like to know if I can take a low-dose topical Finasteride. Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Topical application of Finasteride is available and is often a better alternative to oral supplementation. Minoxidil and Finasteride solution 5 % may be applied on the affected area once daily at night. Use only 1 ml quantity in a dropper or three to four sprays, apply, and massage on the affected area. Use this for at least one year to see changes. Do not apply more than the recommended quantity and do not abruptly stop the medication as it helps increase blood circulation for hair growth, and abruptly stopping it would obstruct the blood circulation, suddenly leading to hair fall of the grown hair. Then it is required to taper down and stop the solution gradually. Therefore, use the medication at night for one year, then reduce it to six days per week at night for one year, then five days per week at night for one year, and so on. Do not forget to use a cover on your pillow before bed to avoid staining the pillow. Make sure to apply the solution on a clean, dry scalp, leave it overnight, and wash it off in the morning. Do not use the medication if you suffer from migraines, seizures, or serious medical conditions. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them and take medicines with their consent. Apart from the topical application, you can also undergo procedures like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and mesotherapy which are superficially injectable procedures for boosting hair growth done in sessions every 15 days for at least six months. The procedure may require direct consultation with a dermatologist for further details of the procedure and for having them performed. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty
Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Venereology

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