Topical Finasteride - could this work without the side?

[jd_uk]

On another board i saw someone recommend that people try dissolving just three finasteride tablets in with their monthly minoxidil. He claimed that the dosage would be low enough to avoid systemic absorption but it would still block the DHT from attaching to the follicles?

could this work without loweiring internal DHT (what i really dont want)???

Also, i want to start using the nizoral shampoo...on its own would it slow hair loss at all or not enough to be noticeable?

I'm looking into these ideas as i really want something which interferes with the actual balding process - until recently i thought minoxidil did that but obviously not.

Thanks

 

[jd_uk]

nobody?

 

[LooseItAll]

Try it and tell us... IMHO it will lower the levels of scalp DHT while the amout of it in other parts will not change(or slightly). I think topical finasteride + antiandrogens is the perfect combo

 

[jd_uk]

I wont try it unless i get some more info...i need to know about the theory behind it, likelihood of absorption, if it does stop dht on the scalp and if so whether doing that is going to stop male pattern baldness or slow it down.

 

[John979]

I wont try it unless i get some more info...i need to know about the theory behind it, likelihood of absorption, if it does stop dht on the scalp and if so whether doing that is going to stop male pattern baldness or slow it down.

First, 80% of the applied finasteride dose is systemically absorbed. Second, finasteride has the fundamental problem of primarily blocking Type 2 Alpha-r Reductase. Type I is also found in the scalp.

However, topical dutasteride is a far better approach, one that has worked for me.

 

[jd_uk]

how do you know that 80% will be absorbed? So it will still lower my body DHT even at that dose?

and why is topical dutasteride better? is that even fda approved or just another one with unknown effects?

thanks

 

[jd_uk]

johnnynyc also have you got pics or blog of your progress? looked but can't see. Your regimen looks pretty complicated...is all that stuff without side effects? (like does it reduce hormones internally at all), how well has it worked and for how long?

thanks.

 

[John979]

The 80% absorbtion came from an early study on finasteride and regarding dutasteride I am only assuming it is similar.

Finasteride primarily blocks Type 2 5-AR. Type 1 5-AR is also present in the scalp. Both types are blocked by dutasteride which is why I believe it is effective as a topical. I apply less than about 0.35mg every other day and if you assume 80% absorbtion, you only only talking about a daily average dose of less than 0.15mg.

 

[Bryan]

I wont try it unless i get some more info...i need to know about the theory behind it, likelihood of absorption, if it does stop dht on the scalp and if so whether doing that is going to stop male pattern baldness or slow it down.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the study by Messenger et al (I hope I'm remembering the name correctly), serious medical scientists who did probably the first test a few years ago of topically-applied finasteride to balding men. It was unsuccessful; there was notable systemic absorption of the drug, as their blood levels of DHT dropped by about 40%; perhaps more importantly, the haircounts of the men treated with topical finasteride were actually very slightly lower than the ones who got the placebo, although that was probably just a statistical accident.

 

[John979]

I wont try it unless i get some more info...i need to know about the theory behind it, likelihood of absorption, if it does stop dht on the scalp and if so whether doing that is going to stop male pattern baldness or slow it down.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the study by Messenger et al (I hope I'm remembering the name correctly), serious medical scientists who did probably the first test a few years ago of topically-applied finasteride to balding men. It was unsuccessful; there was notable systemic absorption of the drug, as their blood levels of DHT dropped by about 40%; perhaps more importantly, the haircounts of the men treated with topical finasteride were actually very slightly lower than the ones who got the placebo, although that was probably just a statistical accident.

I believe that study used 0.05%. At 0.1%, you are effectively getting the same as an oral dose, given finasteride's should dose-respoinse curve.

 

[Pyro]

don't use topical finasteride if you're worried about systematic absorbing. I used xandrox 15% plus (RIP) in the past, and got the typical ball ache side effect, followed by lowered libido and rare occasions of morning wood. Also, took a f*****g long time to recover back to the way i was before. So yeah, i'd advise against it man.

 

[Boomer01]

So oral finasteride is the best solution? I was using Dr. Lee's Minoxidil 6%-Plus which contained 0.1% finasteride but am almost out and need to find a new solution. I will continue using 5% minoxidil. I was starting to see good results.