Questions on Topical finasteride

Hello from France Doctor. Firstly, I’d like to tell you that I appreciate your work ethic. I’ve been studying many topics since I start about AGA, hair transplant, medication etc, focusing on studies, facts, expertise and science, since I started suspecting a beginning of thinning. Your work was a great help and always a pleasure to read. I have a few questions mostly about medication, but here is my case.  I’ve been diagnosed with aga today -what I suspected 4 month ago. It’s barely noticeable since I have very long hair (10 inches) and it’s the beginning, but I suspected it because I always paid a huge attention to my hair. There is : a 0.2 inch recession on temples, and subtle thinning / density loss on the top, especially on the mid scalp and following the hair-parting.

I plan to use the Liposomal Finasteride gel from Parati, already have a prescription after asking it from my doctor. I’ve read that you were also prescribing it to your patient. The doctor I consulted was really “expeditive” and unfortunately not really open to the dialogue.  Here are the questions :

** – What would be the most efficient concentration for the gel ? ** I was about to order it at 0,1% because 1mL means 1mg, but i’ve also read some case using it at 1% or even 2,5%. I’m lost about this point since i will apply it all on the top and not only on a small zone, so quantity and concentration are important.

** – What is your opinion about the systemic absorption ? ** I know the liposomal formulation is made to avoid it as much as possible, I’ve read the absorption is “18 times less than oral finasteride” but I’m curious about precise serum/scalp DHT reduction. I couldn’t find studies about the liposomal formulation, only about that “P-3074” solution which uses a different vehicle.

– What is your opinion on the efficiency time of that gel ? Could it be efficient “forever”, considering its power on scalp DHT ? Can we count on it for like 10 years or more, like many oral finasteride user ? Would it be different for a diffuse pattern user ?

This is a lot of question, excuse me if it bothers you. I plan to do the things right, and will testify my case and experience with the gel in a few months.

Thanks a lot Doctor, and take care of you.

I generally recommend 0.1% Liposomal topical finasteride. In the past year, I have had two out of about 100 patient develop sexual side effects. If the gel works for you, you must stay on it for life otherwise you will lose all of the gains plus what you would have lost had you not taken it.