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
Crown Thinning
Clinical Applications
Crown thinning refers to hair loss that occurs at the top rear portion of the scalp, often an early indicator of male pattern baldness.
Lichen Planopilaris
Clinical Applications
Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a rare inflammatory condition that results in scarring alopecia.
Microneedling
Clinical Applications
Microneedling is a technique that creates micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate healing.
Ketoconazole
Clinical Applications
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication commonly found in medicated shampoos.
