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Most men experience baldness by the time they reach their 60s or sometimes even earlier in their age. It is expected to face this issue while getting older. It is when the role of certain ingredients such as finasteride and minoxidil that help stop hair loss come to play.
If you wonder, can you use both finasteride and minoxidil, the article will help. Keep reading till the end to know how these ingredients work and if you can use both as a part of your hair care routine.
Losing hair is a part of the hair growth cycle. You would see hair falling off while washing or brushing the hair. Various other factors could cause severe hair, such as dietary restrictions, hormonal changes, serious illness, poor scalp health, side effects of hard medication, and excessive use of heat styling tools.
Androgen alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is one common hair loss condition in men. Some people do not care about their hair loss, but few wish to seek treatment to reduce hair loss and boost hair growth.
What is Finasteride and How does it Works?
Finasteride (1) is an oral medication used for treating issues that are caused by high DHT levels, such as male pattern baldness or also known as androgenic alopecia. It is an FDA-approved male pattern hair loss treatment. It works preferably at reducing and slowing down hair loss in men.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) (2) is a male hormone responsible for male-pattern hair loss associated with hereditary and genetic factors. DHT influences the changes in the hair follicle in the scalp leading to hair loss.
Finasteride works by attacking and lowering the level of DHT around the scalp.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (3) is a medication that is used in treating hair loss. The FDA approves this medication which is easily available anywhere over-the-counter.
You can topically apply the minoxidil solution to the scalp in the form of spray, foam, or serum. It helps in hair regrowth and is commonly recommended by dermatologists as it is safe to use.
Minoxidil (4) works as a vasodilator medication for high blood pressure as well. It aids in enlarging the small blood vessels to ensure a smooth blood flow in the body and scalp.
Can Finasteride and Minoxidil Be Used Together?
Finasteride and minoxidil can be used together. Dermatologists mostly mention that it is a combination theory.
The primary purpose of finasteride is to slow down the rate of hair loss whereas minoxidil boosts the growth of the hair.
A combination treatment of finasteride and minoxidil has demonstrated an excellent success rate with hair problems. It also increases the density of the hair. These two medications aim at different areas of hair problems and their amalgamation will give a quicker outcome than using them separately.
Minoxidil should be directly applied to the scalp to boost new growth. Finasteride is an oral medication that balances the hormone that causes male pattern hair loss.
How Do You Use Finasteride and Minoxidil Together?
Finasteride is a medication that should be taken orally with 1 mg tablet once daily.
A few drops or 1 ml of minoxidil should be massaged into the dry scalp. You can apply the minoxidil solution two times a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
For best results, it is advised to consult your doctor. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor will be able to recommend the right dosage.
It is recommended to take the combination therapy for a longer period, at least 12 months. It would be best to have enough time so your body responds to the treatment. You should continue using the combination of finasteride and minoxidil for the treatment to continue working. Once you stop taking them, you might start losing hair again.
Are There Any Side Effects of Using Finasteride and Minoxidil?
Like all the other medications, finasteride and minoxidil might also cause a few side effects. The side effects could be mild or severe. Some of the side effects related to these medications are:
- Headache
- Itching
- Dry scalp
- Dandruff
- Unwanted hair growth in other body parts
- Skin irritation
- Lowered sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
Conclusion
Both finasteride and minoxidil are potent ingredients. They both work wonders to improve the health of hair and scalp.
When combining the treatment, it reduces hair loss and eventually helps in the regrowth of new hair. It improves the overall characteristics of the hair.
Although it does not demonstrate any serious side effects of the treatment, it is always recommended to consult with a dermatologist before application.
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