Can someone clarify the mechanism of action of topical finasteride?

[Hope111]

I put here since it is a "new product".
Hopefully someone can confirm this for me:
Topical finasteride cannot be effective as a local treatment because dht is produced at places other than the scalp. So, since it does not act as a receptor blocker, it does not make any sense to use local finasteride. The only action it could have would be for it to pass into the blood, become systemic (something unwanted) and thus act on the blood. I'm wrong?

 

[Armando Jose]

Androgens are made inside the pilosebaceous unit. "the pilosebaceous unit, can be regarded as an endocrine organ meanwhile a target of hormones, because it synthesizes miscellaneous hormones and expresses diverse hormone receptors" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836429/

 

[Hope111]

ok, thanks for the clarification. So could the action of topical finasteride make sense?

 

[ppma]

ok, thanks for the clarification. So could the action of topical finasteride make sense?

Yes. Partly because it blocks testosterone->DHT conversion the follicles, and partly because it goes systemic and blocks some testosterone->DHT conversion in other parts of the body. Whichever mechanism is dominant, however, is unknown as far as I know.

 

[thatslin]

Technically it makes sense but the thing is it does not dissolve so well in minoxidil or other solvent, if you DIY topical fina by grinding the tablets