This 2020 review article from Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1721463, PMID: 32066284) explores the pathogenesis and treatment options for male pattern hair loss (MPHL), or androgenetic alopecia. It highlights that early intervention with finasteride (a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor) and minoxidil can slow progression and promote partial regrowth, though outcomes are
This 2019 cohort study published in Dermatologic Therapy (PMID: 30253001) reviews the clinical use, efficacy, and public concerns surrounding finasteride for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It highlights that over 80% of male patients experienced halted hair loss after 12 months of finasteride therapy (1 mg/day). However, the treatment’s reputation has
This 2022 phase III randomized, double-blind study (PMID: 34634163) evaluated topical finasteride spray versus placebo and oral finasteride in 458 men with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks. Topical finasteride significantly increased hair count compared to placebo (20.2 vs. 6.7 hairs; p < 0.001) and performed comparably to oral finasteride in
This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of finasteride on androgen levels in the scalp hair and plasma of men with male-pattern baldness (MPB). Over five months, men receiving finasteride 1 mg daily experienced a significant reduction in the DHT/testosterone ratio in both vertex scalp hair (p < 0.005) and
This systematic review investigates the efficacy, mechanism, and safety profile of finasteride in treating female pattern hair loss (FPHL), exploring both oral and topical formulations as well as the use of dutasteride, another 5α-reductase inhibitor. The review highlights finasteride’s ability to promote hair regrowth and improve hair density by inhibiting
This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of finasteride 1 mg/day in men aged 18 to 41 with androgenetic alopecia over two years. Results showed significant increases in scalp hair counts—107 hairs at 1 year and 138 at 2 years (P < .001)—compared to baseline, while the placebo group experienced
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of finasteride (1 mg/day) in 137 postmenopausal women aged 41 to 60 with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) over 12 months. Despite its known mechanism of inhibiting type 2 5α-reductase to reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the study found no statistically significant improvement in hair growth, slowing
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in men with male pattern baldness. Over 28 days, participants taking 5 mg/day of finasteride experienced a significant reduction in scalp DHT levels (from 6.40 to 3.62 pmol/g) and
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of finasteride on scalp and serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in men with androgenetic alopecia. Involving 249 male participants over 42 days, the study demonstrated that finasteride, a 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitor, significantly reduced both scalp and serum DHT in a dose-dependent manner—scalp DHT
This observational study investigated the effects of low-dose finasteride (1 mg/day for 4 months) on circulating neuroactive steroids in 12 men with premature androgenetic alopecia. The treatment led to a gradual decrease in several 5α-reduced and 5-ene steroids, including DHT, allopregnanolone, pregnenolone, and others. These changes, particularly the reduction in
