Finasteride for Hair Loss: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Alternatives
Finasteride is the most widely used oral medication for androgenetic alopecia (male baldness). Finasteride blocks the hormone that causes miniaturization of the hair follicles. When combined with minoxidil and PRP therapy, finasteride remains a valuable treatment for thinning crown or receding hairline in men.
How safe is finasteride, though? Is it safe for women? Are there homeopathic or natural alternatives? Let’s get down to facts.
What is Finasteride?
Finasteride is a class 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor oral prescription drug. It is also referred to as Propecia (1 mg) for baldness and Proscar (5 mg) for prostate hypertrophy.
Finasteride in baldness (1 mg per day): Produces retardation of hairline loss and thinning on the crown.
Finasteride in prostate (5 mg per day): Alleviates enlarged prostate (BPH).
How Does Finasteride Work?
5-alpha-reductase enzyme metabolizes the testosterone hormone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
The principal villain of male pattern baldness, DHT miniaturizes hair follicles, decreasing their size with age.
Finasteride inhibits such a conversion, reducing the scalp’s synthesis of DHT and stopping follicle miniaturization.
Through this way, finasteride retards hair loss and promotes regrowth on balding sites.
Finasteride Uses
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Treatment of hair loss (1 mg daily)
Effective in men 18–40 with mild to moderate hair loss.
Most effective at crown and middle-scalp, acceptable at receding temples.
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Enlarged Prostate (5 mg once a day)
Reduces size of prostate and urinary symptoms.
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Off-label uses
Used on occasion for hormonal acne or hirsutism in women under close medical supervision.
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Baldness – Finasteride
Thickens density: Hair thickening is noted by most men after 3–6 months.
Slows progress: Prevents further hairline loss when started early.
Long-term: Works only if you’re on it. Stopping the medication reverses effect within 6–12 months.
Topical Finasteride Solution:
Since oral finasteride is not without side effects, topical finasteride is increasingly being popularized, directly applied to the hair scalp.
Benefits: Reduced risk of systemic side effects.
Generally used in combination with minoxidil to achieve greater effectiveness. Already known to synergize with minoxidil.
Still under research, but the initial studies are showing promising signs.
Side effects of Finasteride
Though effective, men in some instances develop side effects caused by lower levels of DHT:
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Sexual Side Effects (2–5% cases)
Reduced libido
Impotence
Low semen volume
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Hormonal Changes
Gynecomastia (tenderness or breast enlargement)
Mood changes or depression (rare)
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Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)
Chronic side effects occur in some men even after stopping the medication, though this is debatable.
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Finasteride Side Effects in Men
More common in older men or on larger dosages (5 mg).
Increased risk when combined with alcohol addiction or certain drugs.
Taken for prolonged duration, use with caution.
It should always be taken under a doctor’s advice, especially finasteride.
Finasteride in Women – Is it Safe?
Not ready for women of childbearing age because of potential for causing birth defects.
In postmenopausal women, in some cases, it might be utilized for baldness, but results are less certain.
Pregnant women should not even touch broken finasteride tablets.
Finasteride 1mg Uses in Hindi (हिंदी में)
बाल झड़ना रोकने के लिए: पुरुषों में पैटर्न बाल झड़ने (androgenetic alopecia) के इलाज के लिए 1mg Finasteride का उपयोग होता है।
काम करने का तरीका: यह दवा टेस्टोस्टेरोन को DHT (dihydrotestosterone) में बदलने से रोकती है, जिससे बालों की जड़ें मजबूत रहती हैं।
कैसे लेना है: डॉक्टर की सलाह के अनुसार रोज़ाना 1 टैबलेट।
नोट: औरतों के लिए यह दवा सुरक्षित नहीं है।
Homeopathic Remedies for Hair Loss
Those who do not want to undergo the side effects of finasteride find homeopathy to be a great solution that remedies imbalances naturally:
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Lycopodium
In receding hairline at young age and premature balding.
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Silicea
For weak, thin, brittle hair.
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Thuja
For dryness or hormonal imbalance of scalp leading to balding.
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Phosphorus
For scattered baldness with dandruff.
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Natrum Muriaticum
For hair loss due to stress.
Although homeopathy isn’t DHT-suppressing like finasteride, it stimulates overall scalp health, relieves hair loss, and is a natural stimulator of follicles.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Treatment
PRP treatment is one of the most recent and exciting hair restoration treatments.
-What is PRP?
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy is a therapy that uses the patient’s own blood to promote the hair growth.
Blood is drawn, centrifuged to remove platelets, and infused into the scalp.
-How does it work?
Platelets have growth factors, which are used to restore injured tissue and activate resting follicles. This plasma is injected into the scalp, these growth factors enhance the blood supply, promote follicle survival, and promotes new hair growth.
-Procedure:
- A few drops of blood are drawn from the patient.
- Centrifuged to activate the platelets.
- The platelet-rich solution is then injected into targeted areas of the scalp.
-Sessions Required:
Usually 3–6 sessions are required, spaced at 4–6 weeks and followed by maintenance at 6–12 months.
-Effectiveness:
Best for early to moderate hereditary hair loss. Thickens existing hair and slows further thinning.
-Side Effects:
It can cause mild pain, redness, or swelling of the scalp for 1–2 days. No major long-term risk as it is using the patient’s own blood.
Finasteride FAQs:
Q1. How long before finasteride works?
Usually 3–6 months, maximum effect after 1–2 years of continuous use.
Q2. Do I have to discontinue finasteride if hair grows back?
No. Stopping will gradually reverse effects in a year’s time.
Q3. Is topical finasteride better than oral?
Topical minimizes side effects from systemic absorption, long-term safety needs further investigation.
Q4. Do women get finasteride for baldness?
Usually not, except in postmenopausal women under very close medical supervision.
Q5. Is Minoxidil or Finasteride safer?
Minoxidil is less in terms of systemic side effects, but finasteride takes on the hormonal cause directly. Most doctors think that they should be used together.
In conclusion, Hair PRP Treatment Pune, led by Dr. Vaseem Choudhary and his experienced team at Homeo Care Clinic, iprps dedicated to providing advanced and effective PRP therapies for both hair and skin rejuvenation. Our goal is to help you feel confident and look your best with treatments designed to address hair thinning and skin concerns naturally. We believe in offering personalized care and creating customized plans to meet each individual’s unique needs, ensuring the best possible results.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about our treatments, please visit our website or call us at +91 9595211594. Our friendly team is here to support you throughout your journey to healthier hair and radiant skin. If you’re looking for the best PRP treatment clinic, we are here to assist.
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