![Man wondering how long it takes for finasteride to work.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_wondering_how_long_it_takes_for_finasteride_to_work.webp?v=1691950567&width=1200)
How Long Does Finasteride Take To Work?
In general, you'll need to take oral or topical finasteride for 3-6 months before noticeable changes will appear. There are a few things you can watch out for during this period that are signs that...
![Man with hair loss showing finasteride regrowing hairline.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_with_hair_loss_showing_finasteride_regrowing_hairline.webp?v=1691950337&width=1200)
Can Finasteride Regrow My Hairline?
Many people wonder if finasteride will work on specific areas of hair loss, including the frontal hairline. The good news is that this treatment will work on the entire scalp and for most people, a...
![Man holding capsule reading leaflet on minoxidil side effects.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_holding_capsule_reading_leaflet_on_minoxidil_side_effects.webp?v=1691949720&width=1200)
Minoxidil is a time-tested treatment for hair loss. It’s available in different forms, some of which can be purchased over the counter, while others will need a prescription. When comparing topical...
![Man considering dutasteride 05 mg dose for hair loss.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_considering_dutasteride_05_mg_dose_for_hair_loss.webp?v=1691949483&width=1200)
The most commonly prescribed form of dutasteride is the dutasteride 0.5 mg capsule. Dutasteride has not been approved in the USA or Canada for hair loss at any dosage but can be prescribed off-labe...
![Man with dropper of rosemary oil comparing rosemary vs minoxidil effects on hair.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_with_dropper_of_rosemary_oil_comparing_rosemary_oil_vs_minoxidil_effects.webp?v=1691950217&width=1200)
Rosemary oil is considered potentially useful to maintaining scalp health and even in treating pattern hair loss in men (also referred to as androgenetic alopecia). But how does it measure up to mi...
![Topical dutasteride clinical trial scientist holding blood test tube.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Topical_dutasteride_clinical_trial_scientist_holdig_blood_test_tube.webp?v=1691952288&width=1200)
Topical Dutasteride Clinical Trial Results
A newer generation 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, has increasingly been prescribed off-label to treat androgenetic alopecia. SiloxysSystem™ Gel, was developed to allow healthcare profess...
![Man deciding on switching from finasteride to dutasteride.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_deciding_on_switching_from_finasteride_to_dutasteride.webp?v=1691949551&width=1200)
Switching From Finasteride to Dutasteride
Dutasteride is increasingly being prescribed off-label to treat pattern hair loss. If you’re already taking finasteride, is there a good reason to switch to dutasteride? Both finasteride and dutast...
![Pharmacist giving patient finasteride over the counter.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Pharmacist_giving_patient_finasteride_over_the_counter.webp?v=1691950996&width=1200)
Can I Buy Finasteride Over the Counter?
While there are over-the-counter treatments that may help with milder cases of hair thinning, the treatments that have the biggest impact typically require a prescription. In both the US and Canada...
![Saw palmetto plant for hair growth and hair loss.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Saw_palmetto_plant_for_hair_growth_and_hair_loss.webp?v=1691951136&width=1200)
The saw palmetto plant has been used throughout history to treat various medical conditions and recently, it’s gained attention as a possible alternative treatment for androgenetic alopecia. While ...
![Father who may carry male pattern baldness gene with his son.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Father_who_may_carry_male_pattern_baldness_gene_with_his_son.webp?v=1691949349&width=1200)
Whether hair loss comes from the father’s or mother’s side of the family is a hotly debated topic. It’s a common misconception that balding comes from the mother’s side of the family. Baldness is m...
![Young woman taking tablet of dutasteride for female hair loss.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Patient_taking_dutasteride_for_female_hair_loss.webp?v=1691950727&width=1200)
Dutasteride for Female Hair Loss
There is some data that suggests that dutasteride and other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors might work for female patients, but it's important to understand that the management of DHT levels is just o...
![3D rendering of finasteride's structure to show how affects its mechanism of action.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Role_of_finasteride_structure_in_mechanism_of_action.webp?v=1692041640&width=1200)
Finasteride Mechanism of Action
Finasteride's mechanism of action involves binding to the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme and preventing testosterone from attaching to the enzyme and being transformed into DHT. This phenomenon is also r...
![Man looking at hair considering using finasteride for hair loss.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_looking_at_hair_considering_finasteride_for_hair_loss.webp?v=1691949784&width=1200)
Finasteride is one of the most common drugs used to treat male hair loss. It’s an example of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI), which works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha re...
![Young couple considering finasteride and pregnancy safety.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Young_couple_considering_finasteride_and_pregnancy_safety.webp?v=1691952028&width=1200)
Finasteride should not be handled or used by women who are, or may become pregnant. This is because the medication works by lowering a male sex steroid hormone called DHT, which plays a key role in...
![Man examining drug brochure for finasteride interactions.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_examining_drug_brochure_for_finasteride_interactions.webp?v=1691949596&width=1200)
Drug interactions can affect how the body breaks down a medication and may have an effect on drug safety. A few key interactions with finasteride to be aware of include Viagra, alcohol and certain ...
![Pile of generic vs branded dutasteride tablets.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Pile_of_generic_vs_branded_dutasteride.webp?v=1692041013&width=1200)
In addition to being a costlier medication than finasteride, topical formulations of dutasteride tend to also cost more than the oral pill. There are many reasons for these price discrepancies and ...
![Young man looking in mirror touching hair wondering about causes of hair loss.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Young_man_looking_in_mirror_touching_hair_wondering_about_causes_of_hair_loss.webp?v=1692030767&width=1200)
Sex steroid hormones drive the development of androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern hair loss). But there are many other reasons and causes for hair loss. Let this be your starting poin...
![Young man taking dutasteride while researching dutasteride side effects on his laptop.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Young_man_taking_dutasteride_while_researching_dutasteride_side_effects_on_his_laptop.webp?v=1692034197&width=1200)
Dutasteride can be prescribed off-label to treat male pattern hair loss. Like other medications used to treat hair loss, there are some associated side effects that may be reduced by switching to a...
![Man looking out window looking worried about post-finasteride syndrome.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_worried_about_post-finasteride_syndrome_looking_out_window.webp?v=1692029528&width=1200)
In general, finasteride is a safe and well-tolerated medication. But some people who experience side effects find that they last even after stopping the medication. This is a rare condition called ...
![CGI rendered image of hairs emerging from scalp to illustrate the hair growth cycle.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Image_of_hair_coming_out_of_scalp_illustrating_hair_growth_cycle_d181cc37-2440-4792-840b-bd9e249b3fb9.webp?v=1692029579&width=1200)
How Does Hair Grow? The Hair Growth Cycle
The hair growth cycle can be broken down into three main stages that describe the process through which the hair follicle produces a healthy hair. These stages are anagen, catagen and telogen.
![Man caressing hair experiencing the early signs of androgenetic alopecia.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_caressing_hair_experiencing_early_signs_of_androgenetic_alopecia.webp?v=1692030039&width=1200)
What Is Androgenetic Alopecia?
Having great hair is an instant confidence boost. But for some, androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness) can put a damper on things. The cause of this type of hair loss is mainly...
![Surgeon performing hair transplant on patient who will need to take finasteride after transplant.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Surgeon_performing_procedure_on_patient_taking_finasteride_after_hair_transplant.webp?v=1691952152&width=1200)
Finasteride After Hair Transplant
You may be wondering you still need to take finasteride after undergoing a surgical hair transplant. In general, it's highly recommended that you continue to take finasteride to slow down the thinn...
![Man with advanced hair loss according to the Hamilton Norwood scale.](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Man_with_advanced_pattern_hair_loss_according_to_Hamilton_Norwood_scale.webp?v=1692031234&width=1200)
What is the Hamilton-Norwood scale?
Male pattern hair loss is assessed using a tool called the Hamilton-Norwood scale. A person's Norwood score provides a visual indication of how advanced their hair loss is and can provide valuable ...
![Young man lifting weights exploring relationship between working out and hair loss](http://xyonhealth.com/cdn/shop/articles/Young_man_lifting_weights_exploring_relationship_between_working_out_and_hair_loss.webp?v=1691952446&width=1200)
Does Working Out Cause Hair Loss?
Exercise temporarily increases levels of testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are metabolic byproducts, also increase in concentration. Do these change...