FINASTERIDE HAIR LOSS TREATMENT PILLS: WHICH BRAND SHOULD YOU TRY?

Finasteride brands: What's the difference, and which one should you use for treating male baldness?

Finasteride is a medication primarily used for the treatment of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). It's available under various brand names depending on the manufacturer and the region.

Some common brand names for finasteride include:

Propecia: This is one of the most well-known brand names for finasteride and is primarily used for treating male pattern baldness.

Proscar: This brand name is often used for the treatment of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Finpecia: This is another brand name used for finasteride, and it's commonly used for treating hair loss.

Fincar: Fincar is a brand name used for finasteride and is sometimes prescribed for hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Finalo: Finalo is a brand name for finasteride and is used for treating hair loss.

Folcres: Folcres is a brand name used for finasteride and is often prescribed for hair loss.

Finax: Finax is another brand name for finasteride, commonly used for hair loss treatment.

It's important to note that the availability of these brand names may vary depending on your location and the pharmaceutical companies operating in your region.

Since it was made legal to prescribe and sell finasteride online, there has been a number of brands that have come onto the market. Some of the most well known ones are; Hims, Manual, Roman, Keeps, and Numan.

It should be noted that finasteride is the actual drug that is being sold. The only difference between all these companies is the branding. You are getting the same product, only branded (and priced) varyingly, depending on which brand you go for.

Despite being able to purchase finasteride online, it should be noted that it is still a medication, and like with any medical drug, there are risk of negative side-effects, some of which can be long lasting, and very serious.

Some common side-effects from using finasteride include:

Sexual Side Effects: Some individuals may experience changes in sexual function, including decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction, and reduced semen volume. These side effects are generally considered reversible and tend to improve after discontinuing the medication, but they can persist in some cases.

Breast Tenderness or Enlargement: Some individuals might experience breast tenderness, swelling, or enlargement while taking finasteride. This is due to the medication's impact on hormonal balance.

Allergic Reactions: Allergic reactions to finasteride are rare but possible. Signs of an allergic reaction can include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.

Depression and Mood Changes: Some people have reported experiencing changes in mood, including depression and anxiety, while taking finasteride. However, the link between finasteride and mood changes is not fully understood and requires further research.

Other Side Effects: Other potential side effects of finasteride might include headache, dizziness, skin rash, testicular pain, and changes in liver function tests. However, these side effects are generally less common.

Always consult a medical professional before starting any medication, including finasteride, as they can provide guidance based on your individual medical history and needs.

What's the safe non-medical alternative to finasteride? 

Effective non-medical hair loss treatments tend to be few and far between, but there are still a couple of safer options that you may want to consider. 

Hair supplements tend to be the most obvious alternative to medications like finasteride, and despite most of them being ineffective, there are a few on the market that can help with hair loss prevention, and support the function of healthy hair growth. 

If you are looking for a supplement to help treat early stages of hair loss, then opt for a supplement that is rich in key extracts that have been shown to act as antiandrogens, and block the formation of DHT.

Multivitamin supplements are good for the hair, but they alone will not stump hair loss to any great level. Hair supplements that are rich in potent extracts (as well as some vitamins) such as E3Hp and HR23+, will offer you the safest and best alternative to finasteride. 

HR23+ is a leading, non-medical hair supplement that contains key additives that work at the root cause of hair loss. 85% of male users noticed visible improvements in their hair within just 4-12 weeks. 

Learn more about HR23+ and what it can do for your hair.

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TOPICAL FINASTERIDE FOR TREATING MALE BALDNESS

Is topical finasteride spray safe to use, and does it work?

Finasteride is most commonly as the hair loss treatment pill for male baldness, but now it is available as a topical solution, usually as a spray. 

Finasteride in pill form is generally considered to be an effective treatment for male baldness, however, it also comes with the risk of some potentially harsh side-effects, which many men are keen to avoid. 

Is topical finasteride safer to use than the pill, and how effective is it? 

In the same way as the pill, Topical Finasteride - reduces the levels of DHT in your scalp. A sensitivity to DHT causes your hair follicles to shrink, eventually leading to complete hair loss. 

Topical finasteride can significantly improve the hair count, and is considered to be quite well tolerated. Its effect is similar to that of oral finasteride, but with markedly lower systemic exposure and less impact on serum DHT concentrations.

There are many published studies currently that have proven topical finasteride to be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). A systemic overview in 2018 of seven topical finasteride studies found an overall decrease in the rate of hair loss, an increase in terminal hair count, and positive hair growth assessment.

However, despite its success rate in treating male hair loss, the topical finasteride can also give negative side-effects, many of which are similar to the ones that are commonly associated with the pill. 

Although the side effects from the topical solution do not tend to be as severe as the pill form, the topical form can still causes negative side-effects such as sexual dysfunction, depression, and feminisation, although this is not as common as the pill's side-effects. 

However, the side effects are localised to the application site, for example, scalp pruritus, burning sensation, irritation, contact dermatitis, and erythema. This can prove to be a real irritant to some men, which is why they seek safer alternatives. 

Is topical finasteride better than minoxidil? 

Finasteride is the more clinically effective medication compared to minoxidil, however, finasteride can cause the far more severe sexual side effects such as decreased semen, erectile dysfunction, and reduced sexual desire. 

What is a safe, non-medical alternative to topical finasteride? 

The safest and most effective, non medical alternative to topical finasteride is keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) serum. KGF is a DIY active ingredient that can help promote the function of healthy hair growth by utilising the nutrients that contain prebiotics, polysaccharides and antioxidants to protect the cells that make hair.

KGF is an important endogenous mediator of hair follicle growth, development, and differentiation. Normalisation of the nu/nu follicular differentiation defect and amelioration of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

KGF is most commonly used as a topical serum. 

Conclusion 

Topical finasteride can be an effective treatment for male hair loss, but it does not come without its risks. Much like with the pill, it is a case of weighing up the pros and the cons of using the solution. 

Topical finasteride can only be effective when used for early stages of male baldness (Norwood Hamilton 2-3). Topical finasteride will not work for more advanced stages of hair loss. 

There are some safer topical alternatives that can be used to tackle hair loss, like KGF serum, but results will vary from person to person. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to speak to your doctor, or to a trichologist, as a precautionary measure. 

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