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
Scarring Alopecia
Clinical Applications
Scarring alopecia involves permanent hair loss caused by follicular scarring.
Intradermal Injections
Clinical Applications
Intradermal injections are a delivery method where substances are injected into the dermal layer.
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.
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.
