Is a 0.025% solution of topical finasteride (WITHOUT Minoxidil) effective in stopping hair loss?

Question

I ordered a solution online from a provider and am wondering if that is enough to help curb hair loss.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

This concentration has not been really well studied. in fact, most concentrations and most formulations of topical finasteride have not been all that well studied. An exception is the 2021 study by Piraccini and colleagues published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. That was a wonderful study of 458 patients. 189 used topical finasteride spray at a concentration of 0.25 % (much higher than your concentration) and 184 patients used a placebo and 85 used oral finasteride. This study showed that results with topical finasteride were similar to ora finasteride and results in both were better than the placebo. Side effects were low in topical finasteride users and similar overall to the placebo.

As for your 0.025 % concentration, nobody reallt confidently know how well it works as good randomized studies have not been done. It probably does something in some patients. But you concern is really “is it going to do a good job for me?”

That we don’t know. If you do use it, be sure to use under guidance of a doctor. If you are dealing with any other hair issues besides just AGA (telogen effluvium, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis) you may be wasting your time or you may need other treatments too.

All in all, topical finasteride is available at concentrations 0.001 % to 2.5 %. It’s a bit of a frustrating thing for patients to battle through this complicated area. The reality is that there are over 100,000 topical finasteride formulations. Some are great at keeping finasteride out of the blood and some do nothing to keep finasteride out of the blood. Some do nothing to help and some help alot. The field is in its infancy to some degree (or more like a toddler). It’s a wonderful option for many but the best studied vehicles and concentrations are probably worth sticking too. Be sure to discuss fully with your doctors. This is an area where open and ongoing dialogue is needed.

Is a 0.025% solution of topical finasteride (WITHOUT Minoxidil) effective in stopping hair loss?

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Is a 0.025% solution of topical finasteride (WITHOUT Minoxidil) effective in stopping hair loss?

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Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.