Finasteride alternatives: What can I use instead

Hair loss, a common issue affecting many, can be a deeply personal and stressful experience, often impacting one's confidence and emotional well-being. The medication finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat pattern baldness. However, concerns over side effects have many wondering - what alternatives to finasteride exist?

For those searching for finasteride alternatives to treat hair loss, options include natural remedies like saw palmetto, medications such as minoxidil, and nutritional supplements including biotin.

While finasteride works for some, many factors, from desired results and lifestyle fit to health conditions, can determine if an alternative is more suitable.

In this guide, we’ll break down today’s top options beyond finasteride.

Finasteride alternatives at a glance

Why seek alternatives to Finasteride?

Before exploring replacements for finasteride, it helps to understand what motivates the search for alternatives. While the medication works well for many patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), around 3% experience side effects like reduced libido or erectile dysfunction. Further issues like depression, brain fog, and enlarged breast glands also remain possible over time.

It's also important to remember that finasteride is specifically for male pattern baldness, which means those experiencing other types of hair loss, a situation that can feel isolating, may need different solutions. Those suffering hair loss from conditions like alopecia areata or female pattern thinning do not benefit from the drug. Additionally, oral medication can pose risks to those with pre-existing liver, kidney, or mental health disorders. It may also negatively interact with other prescriptions.

For these individuals, exploring alternative treatments offers hope for regaining hair density and regrowth without the worry of side effects or concerns about existing health conditions. Options range from medications like minoxidil to natural approaches leveraging herbs, diet changes, essential oils, and supplements to gently improve the hair growth cycle through increased blood flow, follicle strength, and nutrient absorption. Unlike finasteride, these alternatives remain suitable for both men and women seeking to combat hair loss regardless of type.

Finally, some patients simply wish to avoid long-term pharmaceutical dependence, opting for natural options combining salves, massage, improved diet, reduced stress, and oral supplements. These alternatives contain helpful plants and nutrients that gently balance hormones related to hair production, coaxing the body into optimal hair growth cycles.

Medical alternatives

For those seeking scientifically-backed hair loss solutions with established safety data, several pharmaceutical alternatives to finasteride exist, including:

Minoxidil treatment

This over-the-counter lotion delivers an ingredient right to hair roots to extend growth phases and prevent thinning. Powerful yet gentle, it works by increasing blood flow and nutrients for both men and women (in the form of Regaine for Men or Regaine for Women) experiencing hereditary or age-related loss, unlike finasteride. Many report the easy-to-use solution regrows over time if applied properly to balding areas - slowing down, halting, or sometimes reversing hair thinning without the need for prescriptions. Most people tolerate minoxidil well. Discuss options from 2% for maintenance up to 5% concentrations for maximum regrowth with your local pharmacist or dermatologist.

Dutasteride 

Beyond traditional hair loss prescription tablets lies an advanced oral medication like Dutasteride (Avodart) seemingly more potent based on lab testing. Early research shows doses lower than alternatives halt thinning at a genetic level for longer periods of time. However, the powerful compounds involved also heighten the risk of sexual, mental or gland-related side effects. While the ability to slow and reverse follicle miniaturisation outpaces predecessors, the lack of long-term studies beyond 5 years warrants caution, according to hair restoration experts.

Monitor closely with a knowledgeable dermatologist should this option be chosen.

Exciting future options

Innovative hair regrowth therapies involving components from platelet injections to cell-based transplants are currently undergoing human trials after demonstrating their immense ability to spark new growth cycles rapidly in the lab. Some techniques show potential to specifically target thinning related to age, stress or post-surgery with minimal disruption to important hormone levels if proven safe. As research by trusted universities and companies progresses yearly, consult specialists to learn if participation in landmark studies furthers the next generation of permanent, side effect-free hair restoration tailored to each cause of loss.

Exploring natural alternatives

Many desire natural options without medications or chemicals to safely improve hair growth. Numerous lifestyle approaches and supplements clinically support follicles, including:

Herbal supplements

Certain natural tablet supplements contain concentrated plant extracts that block hormonal conditions inside scalps, causing thinning. Ingredients like saw palmetto, oils from South American trees, and green tea work against damage caused by DHT, which is a substance made from testosterone that can lead to hair loss in people who are genetically predisposed to it. High-quality herbal mixes use natural principles to gently signal the body to stop overproducing certain substances that cause hair to thin over time. Trust only reputable vitamin brands listing exact potencies.

Essential oil scalp treatments

Applying antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory oils like rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, or cedarwood in scalp massages or leave-in treatments boosts circulation, reduces product build up, unclogs hair glands and cleanses roots deeply for added volume. Their pleasant smells also relieve stress, known to accelerate thinning. Mix a few drops into unrefined carrier oils or shampoos. 

Nutrient-dense diet

A whole foods diet full of lean protein, colourful vegetables and antioxidant fruits ensures digestion breaks down enough compounds supporting strong follicles long-term, including:

• Iron & Zinc - Found in spinach, nuts, seeds, legumes and eggs, these minerals maintain scalp health.
• Vitamin A & C - Present in citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash - they prevent breakage.
• Omega fatty acids - Salmon, walnuts, avocados, and olive oil nourish strands from root to tip.
• Biotin B-complex vitamins - Liver, whole grains, egg yolks and yeast enable keratin infrastructure.
• Selenium & antioxidants - From green tea, tomatoes, and Brazil nuts protect strands.

Healthy inside-out eating prevents fragile hairs by getting to the root cause of thinning. Focus on scalp-healthy meals full of the above groups while avoiding malnutrition through increased intake of micronutrients. Clinical studies validate diet's impact.

Lifestyle changes supporting hair health

Beyond taking supplements or applying topical treatments, adopting hair-friendly lifestyle habits provides the foundation for optimal regrowth results over time. Key changes include:

Minimising stress and cortisol levels

High-stress life situations increase the release of cortisol into the bloodstream - a damaging hormone causing premature shrinkage of hair follicles' growth phases. Left unchecked, elevated cortisol essentially puts follicles into freeze mode. Activities like meditation, light aerobic exercise, getting restful & restorative sleep, and exploring therapy options all work holistically to lower overflowing anxiety/depression levels clinically linked to accelerated genetic or stress-related hair thinning. Improving coping mechanisms around chronic stress also reduces bodily inflammation, destroying delicate follicles over time.

Consistent scalp massages

Gently massaging the scalp skin for 5-10 focused minutes daily has been shown to boost blood flow to the micro-vessels, nourishing each hair strand down to the root, effectively transporting vital oxygen and nutrients through the skin that, in turn, aid natural growth cycles within glands. Slowly kneading small circular motions around thinning areas of the scalp promotes circulation, while using antimicrobial essential oils as part of the massage process further enhances blood flow. Remember, consistency and patience are key in the journey of hair regrowth.

Dedicating time to daily scalp massages can be a nurturing and hopeful practice, leading to thicker hair over time.

Comparing effectiveness and safety

When weighing non-medical, natural hair growth alternatives against finasteride, key considerations around safety and efficacy help determine suitability:

Results vary more with natural options

While small-scale clinical trials report beneficial effects from hair-healthy supplements or essential oils for treating genetic hair loss, Finasteride has been shown, through many years of testing on many men, to be more consistently effective. It works by stopping the hormonal processes that cause hair follicles to shrink from the very beginning. This speaks to the power of prescription compounds honed to target the specific enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to follicle-damaging DHT. Meanwhile, lifestyle adjustments like scalp massages or diet changes alone boost hair growth but act quite slowly without additional interventions.

Fewer side effect risks

Natural treatment options centred around traditional herbs, vitamin-rich diet adjustments and scalp circulation techniques carry little-to-no risk of disturbing sexual performance, hormonal balance or emotional health - side effects occasionally associated with taking medications that broadly alter chemical balances like DHT as observed in a small percentage of finasteride users. However, most patients across extensive clinical trials tolerate finasteride normally without negative effects, especially under the supervision of knowledgeable dermatologists.

Choosing the right regimen

Carefully reflect on root lifestyle factors, desired results, maximum time commitments, and current health statuses when exploring solutions beyond finasteride, as a blend of options often proves most effective in the long term. Those only experiencing hereditary male or female pattern hair loss may prioritise potent yet proven medications, while individuals combating hair thinning signs alongside diet deficiencies, high stress or recent illness should strongly consider supplemental nutrition, scalp circulation steps and holistic well-being efforts to correct imbalances gently, tied to diffuse shedding.

Regardless of the cause, be sure to identify and precisely target culprits through expert tools while setting realistic expectations around 3-6+ month consistent regimens for noticeable improvements, with temporary cosmetic fixes like extensions delivering immediately visible density as compared to gradualist prescription therapies. Lean on virtual consultations with experienced hair restoration physicians to detail out roadmaps blending medical, holistic and procedural elements tailored to each person’s follicular needs based on type, age, gender, loss extent, and other health factors possibly impacting suitability of options explored past finasteride.

Getting started with Oxford Online Pharmacy

For those searching for personalised hair loss treatment plans beyond finasteride, the UK-based Oxford Online Pharmacy offers private consultations uniquely suited to lifestyle and health needs.

To get started, you first need to fill out a comprehensive consultation form detailing your medical history and prior hair restoration efforts in order to gain deep insight into the possible genetic, ageing-related, nutritional or stress-induced factors influencing thinning follicles.

Then, our medical experts closely examine your responses and medical history. 

Finally, you'll receive qualified remote care, avoiding the need to sit in waiting rooms. Expect thoughtful blending of pharmaceutical steps, over-the-counter formulations and holistic changes personalised for the unique requirements necessary to overcome frustrations on the journey to revitalised, youthful hairlines.

FAQs

Can you stop hair loss without finasteride?

Yes, alternative options from over-the-counter minoxidil lotions to anti-inflammatory scalp treatments, platelet-rich plasma injections and stress reduction techniques can effectively treat genetic and lifestyle-related hair loss for both men and women without using finasteride, although individual results vary.

Why is finasteride so controversial despite benefiting patients?

While studies demonstrate safety and regrowth efficacy for most finasteride patients, its mechanism of targeting hormonal chemistry can provoke sexual side effects in less than 4% of users, causing controversy. However, proper patient screening and oversight substantially reduce risk.

Is finasteride considered a high-risk medication?

When taken under physician guidance based on screening, finasteride only rarely leads to side effects, so it is not considered high-risk overall - however, caution is still warranted for some due to its systemic mechanism of action. Safer options exist for individuals with predispositions.

Can you block DHT naturally?

Yes, anti-inflammatory plant oils, herbal supplements like saw palmetto and green tea extracts, as well as scalp massages and dietary adjustments, contain DHT-blocking properties shown in studies to reduce the hormone dihydrotestosterone linked to genetic hair loss patterns. Using these natural methods may safely deliver results for some individuals without the need for finasteride.

References

• Minoxidil_for_hair_loss_GHPI1649_04_21.pdf
• Hair loss - NHS
• Good_hair_care_advice_GHPI1694_01_22.pdf