Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Apr 1;17(4):457-463.

A Systematic Review of Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women

Sung Won Lee, Margit Juhasz, Pezhman Mobasher, Chloe Ekelem, Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska

A Systematic Review of Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women

Sung Won Lee et al. J Drugs Dermatol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, only topical minoxidil (MNX) and oral finasteride (FNS) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although FNS is efficacious for hair regrowth, its systemic use is associated with side effects limiting long-term utilization. Exploring topical FNS as an alternative treatment regimen may prove promising.

Methods: A search was conducted to identify studies regarding human in vivo topical FNS treatment efficacy including clinically relevant case reports, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and prospective studies.

Results: Seven articles were included in this systematic review. In all studies, there was significant decrease in the rate of hair loss, increase in total and terminal hair counts, and positive hair growth assessment with topical FNS. Both scalp and plasma DHT significantly decreased with application of topical FNS; no changes in serum testosterone were noted.

Conclusion: Preliminary results on the use of topical FNS are limited, but safe and promising. Continued research into drug-delivery, ideal topical concentration and application frequency, side effects, and use for other alopecias will help to elucidate the full extent of topical FNS' use. <p><em>J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(4):457-463.</em></p>.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure:

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Selecting clinically relevant articles on the use of topical FNS in human subjects with AGA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Lolli F, Pallotti F, Rossi A, Fortuna MC, et al. Androgenetic alopecia: a review. Endocrine. 2017;57(1):9–17. - PubMed
    1. U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Drug Databases. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2006/021812s000TOC.cfm. Accessed July 07, 2017.
    1. Robinson J Hair transplants: what to expect. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/men-hair-lo.... Published December 18, 2016. Accessed July 04, 2017.
    1. Inui S, Itami S. Androgen actions on the human hair follicle: perspectives. ExpDermatol.2012. doi:10.1111/exd.12024. - DOI - PubMed
    1. El-Domyati M, Attia S, Saleh F, et al. Androgenetic alopecia in males: a histopathological and ultrastructural study. J CosmetDermatol. 2009;8(2)83–91. - PubMed

Publication types