Finasteride
Finasteride is licensed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss with the recommended dose being 1mg once per day. It is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor and blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes miniaturisation of the hair follicle seen in male pattern hair loss. It has been proven to be very effective in the majority of men and can provide quite dramatic results alone or in conjunction with hair restoration surgery. As with any medication there are potential side effects to be aware of before starting finasteride. These will be discussed at your consultation with Mr D’Souza.
N.B. Finasteride is not licensed for use in women
Minoxidil (topical)
Topical Minoxidil comes in 2% and 5% formulations and is commonly known as Regaine or Rogaine. The exact mechanism of action is still not fully understood, however it is thought to increase the blood supply to the scalp and prolong the growth phase of the follicle. It can be applied as a liquid or a foam and the recommended dose is a capful massaged on the scalp twice per day. We tend to recommend the 5% foam once per day as it is usually better tolerated and easier to adhere to than the twice per day regime. As with any medication there are potential side effects to be aware of before starting minoxidil. These will be discussed at your consultation with Mr D’Souza.
