Only two medications have been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss – Minoxidil and Finasteride. While lots of people understand that they’re best used in conjunction with one another, is Minoxidil effective without Finasteride? In this article, we explore what you need to know about how the two medications work and whether Minoxidil can successfully treat hair loss without Finasteride.
So, is Minoxidil effective without Finasteride?
Yes, Minoxidil is effective without Finasteride. Minoxidil has been independently and clinically verified as an effective treatment for hair loss and can be applied to the scalp as a 2% or 5% serum. A study from 2002 found that a 5% serum is much more effective than its 2% counterpart, highlighting why it’s a good idea to opt for a 5% solution in any treatment that you undertake. With that in mind, you can use Minoxidil in isolation to treat male pattern hair loss. But is using only Minoxidil a smart move?
Treating male pattern hair loss
There are lots of studies out there that highlight the efficacy of Finasteride when it comes to treating male pattern hair loss. Therefore, Finasteride is widely regarded as the most effective medication for treating hair loss in men and is effective approximately 80% of the time. It is taken orally as a tablet and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. The primary role rof Finasteride is to block the growth of DHT, a hormone that is responsible for binding to your hair follicles, eventually causing them to shrivel and die. This is important as far as treating hair loss is concerned, but Minoxidil plays a supplementary role to that of Finasteride.
As a vasodilator, Minoxidil increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the areas of your scalp affected by male pattern hair loss. This ensures that the hair follicles have the nutrients they need to thrive and is the reason why both medications are often used simultaneously by men looking for the most effective hair loss treatments. You can also find Finasteride and Minoxidil combined in a topical spray, which is one of the easiest treatments to undertake when you’re looking to treat hair loss. After all, some people don’t like the idea of taking a tablet and using a serum at the same time, so opting for a topical spray is an excellent alternative and means you only need to remember one daily application to treat your hair loss.
Combining several medications and hair loss products
Something to realise about treating male pattern hair loss is that you can combine several medications and products to achieve the results that you desire. For instance, using Minoxidil and Finasteride at the same time gives you a great chance of combatting male pattern hair loss. But you can also take things to the next level by including a Biotin supplement, which improves the structure of your hair thanks to its role in the production of keratin. Also, you can invest in a DHT-blocking shampoo, which supplements Finasteride and prevents the growth of the damaging hormone on your scalp.
Ultimately, the best way to treat male pattern hair loss is to recognise that there are several medications and products available. You can then opt for the products that work for you and take a considered and deliberate approach to treating your hair loss.
