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
Collagen production
Clinical Applications
Collagen production refers to the synthesis of collagen, a vital structural protein found in connective tissues throughout the body.
Scarring Alopecia
Clinical Applications
Scarring alopecia involves permanent hair loss caused by follicular scarring.
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.
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.
