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Is There An Alternative To Finasteride For Androgenetic Alopecia?

Posted on Thu, 22 Jun 2023

Question: As you suggested me to use Minoxidil and Finasteride, From past one year I have been using Minoxidil and for few months stopped it and used Creastim but that gone worse so as per your suggestion started using Kirkland's Minoxidil 5% twice a day. As I am 26 I don't want to use Finasteride, because of its side effects. When I again started using Minoxidil my hair shedding is a lot, I couldn't handle it, there is a lot of thinning. Can you suggest me any tablets other than Finasteride.

I have one more question I am thinking to under go stemcell therapy for hair what do you suggest will this be helpful and whats the difference between PRP and Stemcell therapy which one is better?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding androgenetic alopecia

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The initial increase in hair shedding on restarting minoxidil is quite expected. This is due to "Anagen surge" - new hair growth that is stimulated pushing out resting hair. This usually is short lived. Therefore I suggest you continue the minoxidil solution. There are a lot of minoxidil preparations which also contain finasteride so there is no need to take oral finasteride if you can find a topical preparation with a combination of minoxidil and finasteride. Stem cell therapy utilizes commercially available hair follicles stem cells which are injected onto the scalp and stimulate hair follicles whereas PRP relies on growth factors derived from one's own platelets. The purpose of both is to stimulate hair follicles. Both of these treatments are not permanent and require maintenance. There is no distinct advantage of one over the other.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S., Dermatologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Do you suggest any tablets I stay In USA so can you recommend any tablets that I get here on XXXXXXX com or outside pharmacy which helps to stop shedding and thicken hair and helps in promoting hair growth.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding androgenetic alopecia

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Saw palmetto extract is also an antiandrogen that is effective in androgenetic alopecia. It is an alternative to oral finasteride. It is claimed to be devoid of sexual side effects in a dose of 100 mg/day. You may try to find it. Many Dermatologists use it for androgenetic alopecia.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S., Dermatologist

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy