Disclaimer: Consult your physician before using prescription drugs such as topical finasteride. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Finasteride is a drug that reduces the levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body by 65-69% when taken orally, which helps prevent hair loss in men who are genetically prone to hair loss. It is known as the brand name Propecia or Proscar.
What is Topical Finasteride and How Does it Work?
Topical finasteride is finasteride pills crushed into a powder and then mixed into a topical solution that can be applied directly onto the scalp. The drug is then absorbed through the scalp and can work more directly on reducing DHT in the scalp, and have a less effect on reducing the systemic DHT levels in the body.
Why You Should Use Topical Finasteride Instead of Oral Finasteride
When applied topically, the drug will then have more effect on the androgen receptors on the scalp, and less of the drug will get into the bloodstream. Therefore the DHT levels in the scalp are reduced more, and there will only be a minimal change in the DHT levels in the body. This results in a more effective hair loss treatment and less risk of side effects.
The potential side effects of finasteride can be quite severe. Finasteride is a prescription drug that can cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
With that said, however, finasteride still remains perhaps the most effective and affordable to combat hair loss.
Get the best of both by using topical finasteride: It’s considered more effective as a hair loss solution, and less chance of side effects.
Where to Buy the Ingredients for Your Own Topical Finasteride
These are the ingredients needed:
- Finasteride – The easiest way is to get a prescription for 5 mg of finasteride from a doctor, and then buy a generic version (not the brand name Propecia/Proscar, which tends to be a bit more expensive). The main ingredient is the same. However, when it’s being used in a topical solution, one should also consider which other ingredients the specific brand of pills has apart from the active ingredient finasteride. Some ingredients are be meant to be digested, and may not be suited for topical application. It may cause irritation or less absorption when applied to the scalp, and thereby cause a less than ideal result.
- Either Minoxidil 5% topical solution, ethanol, or K&B solution – The finasteride needs a vehicle to carry the drug to be absorbed in the scalp. The cheapest and most effective way to do that is to use either a minoxidil topical solution that is already mixed in ethanol, or use another source of ethanol or a K&B solution
- Regular minoxidil can be ordered on amazon.
- Or use ethanol if you can source it yourself instead if you don’t want to use minoxidil.
- Or use a K&B solution if you are sensitive to ethanol.
- A 1 ml dropper to apply your solution – Sometimes they come included with topical minoxidil.
How to Dose Topical Finasteride Solution for the Correct Concentration
The formula will change depending on the dosage to be used. A typical dosage of oral finasteride is 0.5 mg to 1.25 mg per day, which on average decreases DHT levels in the body by 64-69%, and higher dosages have not shown to decrease DHT levels by more than 70%. So finasteride’s effect max out at around 0.5 mg to 1 mg, and there’s no point in dosing higher than this.
In this study, comparing the therapeutic efficacy of topical finasteride vs oral finasteride in androgenetic alopecia, the researchers had two groups undergo hair loss treatments for 12 months.
Group A used topical minoxidil + oral finasteride 1 mg pills.
Group B used topical minoxidil + topical finasteride of 0.1% concentration (1 mg per 1 ml solution).
The results of Group A: 35% saw no clinical improvement and 65% saw clinical improvements
The results of Group B: 17% saw no clinical improvement and 83% saw clinical improvements.
From this study, we can see that a finasteride content of 0.1%, which is equivalent to 1 mg/mL or a 1:1,000 concentration, has a higher chance to bring visible results as a hair loss treatment.
How to Make Your Own Topical Finasteride at Home
For the typical 0.1% formula (1 mg finasteride per 1 ml solution):
- Crush 12 pills of 5 mg to make a total of 60 mg of finasteride into a fine powder. If one is able to remove the film covering the pills first, that may be ideal.
- Mix with a 60 ml bottle of minoxidil or ethanol or K&B solution
- Shake it well for many minutes to make sure it is mixed properly
Now there will be approximately 1 mg of finasteride per 1 ml of minoxidil solution. If one applies 1 ml on one’s scalp once a day using the dropper, it will roughly be 1 mg of finasteride applied to one’s scalp.
After applying the solution, gently massage it into the scalp on the areas that are prone to hair loss.
Immediately wash hands thoroughly before touching anything else in the house.
Warning: Finasteride is usually covered by a film because the drug may be absorbed through the skin when touched. Pregnant women should not touch the drug under any circumstances! It should also be kept out of reach from children.
Topical Finasteride vs Oral Finasteride Side Effects
In the same study as previously mentioned, the researchers also looked at the side effects of using oral vs topical.
Keep in mind that there were only 25 patients in each group, so the percentages are based on very small sample sizes.
Group A, which used oral finasteride had these side effects:
- 8% experienced erectile dysfunction
- 8% had ejaculatory dysfunction
- 16% anxiety or depression
- 12% loss of libido
- 12% facial edema (swelling)
- 20% dryness of mouth
- 0% itching
- 0% erythema (over scalp)
- 0% heaviness,
- 8% mood changes
Group B, which used topical finasteride had these side effects:
- 0% experienced erectile dysfunction
- 0% had ejaculatory dysfunction
- 0% anxiety or depression
- 0% loss of libido
- 0% facial edema (swelling)
- 0% dryness of mouth
- 20% itching
- 16% erythema (over scalp)
- 12% heaviness
- 0% mood changes
From this limited data, it might suggest that topical finasteride is a lot safer and the side effects experienced are milder than compared to those of oral finasteride.
We hope you enjoyed this informational article.