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Explore the science behind hair loss and hair growth. Our in-depth articles cover topics ranging from natural remedies to pharmaceuticals to breakthroughs in hair loss science. Want to request an article topic? Contact us.

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Can I Make Topical Finasteride By Crushing Pills?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Feb 15, 2023

Can I Make Topical Finasteride By Crushing Pills?

It’s possible to make homemade topical finasteride by crushing pills. However, some pills have a protective coating that may prevent them from dissolving in a topical. Under these circumstances, any coating must be removed prior to crushing, and even then, not all crushed debris will dissolve. For t...
Can I Make My Own Topical Finasteride?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Feb 14, 2023

Can I Make My Own Topical Finasteride?

Compounding pharmacies can charge $50-$100 per month to formulate topical finasteride. This has led many users to wonder if they can save money by making topical finasteride at home – either by crushing finasteride pills or diluting pre-purchased topical finasteride. Both options are possible, but r...
If I Am Planning a Family, Should I Stop Taking Finasteride? (Men & Women)
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Feb 7, 2023

If I Am Planning a Family, Should I Stop Taking Finasteride? (Men & Women)

Females using oral finasteride are advised to quit the drug at least one month before conceiving, as well as throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. But what about men? The evidence is nuanced. Some clinicians claim that finasteride use for men during windows of conception poses no risk to a develop...
Will Finasteride Lower My Libido?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Jan 24, 2023

Will Finasteride Lower My Libido?

Finasteride is widely regarded as the gold-standard treatment for male pattern hair loss, with 80-90% of men responding favorably to the drug. At the same time, the number one reason people avoid this hair loss medication is the fear of lower libido. Online reports of finasteride’s sexual side effec...
Which Finasteride Is Best? A Look at Formulations
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Jan 20, 2023

Which Finasteride Is Best? A Look at Formulations

Finasteride is available in oral and topical formulations. Some hair loss sufferers opt for topicals, which have been touted as safe and effective by doctors and patients alike. Oral finasteride has stood the test of time and remains the gold standard for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Whi...
Can a Blood Test for Finasteride Determine the Risk of Side Effects?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Jan 15, 2023

Can a Blood Test for Finasteride Determine the Risk of Side Effects?

Can blood tests reliably determine the risk of sexual side effects from hair loss drugs? Low-quality evidence (i.e., anecdotes and observational studies) suggest, in men, that low levels of free testosterone and/or high levels of sex hormone binding globulin are correlated with higher rates of sexua...
How to Reduce the Risk of Finasteride Side Effects
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Jan 10, 2023

How to Reduce the Risk of Finasteride Side Effects

Finasteride is an FDA-approved drug for androgenic alopecia. For a portion of men using finasteride, side effects can occur – most often in the form of sexual side effects, enlarged male breasts, lowered sperm counts, and erectile dysfunction. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can be em...
Microneedling Infection: Is the Scalp at Risk?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Jan 10, 2023

Microneedling Infection: Is the Scalp at Risk?

Microneedling is a popular way to combat hair loss and promote hair growth. It creates low levels of inflammation in the scalp tissue, which triggers an adaptive response in the body; growth factors and signaling proteins are recruited for wound repair. However, as with any wound (no matter how smal...
I Am Experiencing Side Effects From Topical Minoxidil. What Should I Do?
By Perfect Hair Health Team
Nov 24, 2022

I Am Experiencing Side Effects From Topical Minoxidil. What Should I Do?

Topical minoxidil is one of the only FDA-approved drugs for androgenic alopecia. Unfortunately, topical minoxidil appears to induce skin irritation in 2-7% of users, with online users also reporting accelerated aging and/or a worsening of under-eye bags. A small percentage of users have also experie...
Finasteride For Women: What’s The Perfect Dose?
By Richard Clayton, PhD
Oct 25, 2022

Finasteride For Women: What’s The Perfect Dose?

Oral finasteride is an effective treatment for male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia. However, the drug’s benefits to female pattern hair loss are less clear. Some studies show that females taking between 1.0 to 5.0 mg of finasteride daily improve their hair loss, while oth...

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