Can Norwood 6-7 with retro aloepcia be corrected with Minoxidil or Finasteride? (photos)

In cases of advanced male pattern hair loss such as Norwood 6 or 7, especially when combined with retrograde alopecia, the response to medical treatments like minoxidil and finasteride is typically limited. These medications work best in earlier stages, where there are still miniaturized hairs that can be thickened or preserved.

At very advanced stages, most of the affected follicles are already inactive or lost, meaning regrowth is unlikely. Minoxidil and finasteride may still help slow further progression and preserve any remaining hair, but they generally cannot restore areas that are completely bald.

In these situations, surgical options such as hair transplantation are often considered, though the presence of retrograde alopecia can sometimes reduce the availability of donor hair. Medical therapy can still be useful as supportive treatment but is unlikely to produce significant visible regrowth on its own at this stage.

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. I highly recommend trying a series of exosome and/or PRP injections to help treat alopecia. Exosomes and PRP injections are both advanced therapies offering significant benefits for treating alopecia. Exosomes, derived from mesenchymal stem cells, contain a rich array of growth factors and signaling molecules that promote hair follicle regeneration, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular repair, leading to potentially improved hair growth and follicle health. PRP injections, utilizing the patient’s own concentrated platelets, stimulate hair follicles through natural growth factors, boost scalp circulation, and support tissue repair, contributing to increased hair density and strength. Both treatments are minimally invasive with minimal downtime, and when used individually or in combination, they offer promising results in managing hair loss and restoring a fuller, healthier appearance. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Dear Neat435019,
Alopecia due to DHT sensitivity can be directly managed by both Minoxidil and Finasteride. Multiple studies have shown synergistic effect on taking both Minoxidil and Finasteride as combined pill. However, some patients may not respond to one or both of the medications due to resistance. In our clinic, we use individualised DNA test specific to hair loss to ascertain the medications can provide positive impact to the presenting problem.
Apart from Minoxidil and Finasteride, PRP, exosomes and laser hat also can help with improving or maintaining hair density.
Sincerely yours,Drkenbrito