What is finasteride?
Finasteride is an oral prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair follicle miniaturization in male pattern baldness.
It is FDA-approved for treating androgenetic alopecia in men and can slow or even reverse hair loss in some individuals by reducing scalp DHT levels. Side effects are possible and should be reviewed with a physician.
Red light therapy is often used alongside finasteride to provide a synergistic effect — reducing DHT’s damage while enhancing follicular regeneration and cellular energy metabolism.
Related terms
Telogen effluvium
Clinical Applications
Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by diffuse hair shedding triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Clinical Applications
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a hair transplant method where individual follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area and implanted into thinning or bald areas of the scalp.
Scalp blood flow
Clinical Applications
Scalp blood flow refers to the circulation of blood through the vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles.
Estrogen
Clinical Applications
Estrogen is a hormone that plays a critical role in regulating hair growth in women, particularly by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
