M
mo6
Iron
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2025
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All of these substances do one thing: grow your hair in some sort of way.
We are here to understand how though.
1. How does it work?
How Finasteride works:
It blocks 5-alpha-reductase type II, which is a enzyme. This enzyme has the task to which converts Testosterone to DHT. How DHT affects hair follicles: shrinks follicles, shortens the growth phase of the hair, reduces hair production. So that’s why we wanna block it. To stop this from happening and grow more hair.
How Dutasteride works:
Dutasteride works pretty much the same with the difference of it not only blocking 5-alpha-reductase type II but also type I, which leads to Dutasteride working even better in general.
How topical minoxidil works:
It opens up potassium channels which improves blood flow, it extends the anagen phase which means that hair grows longer and what it mainly does is promote follicle activity which leads to new growth of hairs.
2. How good do they work?
Finasteride:
At a dose of 1mg Finasteride daily it increases your hair growth by 9,2% after 48 weeks and by 15,4% after 96 weeks. It also promotes anagen hair growth by 26%.
Dutasteride:
At a dose of 0.5mg Dutasteride daily it increased your hair growth by 13-15% after 48-52 weeks and just in general works better then Finasteride and promotes thicker and more hair. It also promotes anagen hair growth by 32%.
Topical Minoxidil 5%:
I would for sure recommend using 5% rather then 2% since it’s proven to work way better. Also apply it 1-2 per day, I’m personally applying it 1 time a day right now. It increases your hair growth by 12,3% after 48 weeks.
3. The side effects
Finasteride:
Sexual side effects: reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation issues where shown in 5,31% of treated men.
Other sexual complaints: reduced ejaculate volume, ejaculation disorders were at around 3,7% or higher in clinical reports.
Gynecomastia was a very rare side effect.
Skin or allergic reactions were also rather rare.
Psychological side effects vary from person to person but might appear more often.
Dutasteride:
Has pretty much the same side effects as Finasteride with sexual side effects being at 16% instead of 5,31%, also Gynecomastia appears more often.
Topical Minoxidil:
Scalp irritation: itching, redness, dryness, flaking or local inflammation appear pretty common.
Hypertrichosis outside the scalp was reported in some users.
Headaches sometimes appear.
Very rare side effects: rash, contact dermatitis, systemic symptoms
GOOD LUCK GROWING YOUR HAIR!
We are here to understand how though.
1. How does it work?
How Finasteride works:
It blocks 5-alpha-reductase type II, which is a enzyme. This enzyme has the task to which converts Testosterone to DHT. How DHT affects hair follicles: shrinks follicles, shortens the growth phase of the hair, reduces hair production. So that’s why we wanna block it. To stop this from happening and grow more hair.
How Dutasteride works:
Dutasteride works pretty much the same with the difference of it not only blocking 5-alpha-reductase type II but also type I, which leads to Dutasteride working even better in general.
How topical minoxidil works:
It opens up potassium channels which improves blood flow, it extends the anagen phase which means that hair grows longer and what it mainly does is promote follicle activity which leads to new growth of hairs.
2. How good do they work?
Finasteride:
At a dose of 1mg Finasteride daily it increases your hair growth by 9,2% after 48 weeks and by 15,4% after 96 weeks. It also promotes anagen hair growth by 26%.
Dutasteride:
At a dose of 0.5mg Dutasteride daily it increased your hair growth by 13-15% after 48-52 weeks and just in general works better then Finasteride and promotes thicker and more hair. It also promotes anagen hair growth by 32%.
Topical Minoxidil 5%:
I would for sure recommend using 5% rather then 2% since it’s proven to work way better. Also apply it 1-2 per day, I’m personally applying it 1 time a day right now. It increases your hair growth by 12,3% after 48 weeks.
3. The side effects
Finasteride:
Sexual side effects: reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation issues where shown in 5,31% of treated men.
Other sexual complaints: reduced ejaculate volume, ejaculation disorders were at around 3,7% or higher in clinical reports.
Gynecomastia was a very rare side effect.
Skin or allergic reactions were also rather rare.
Psychological side effects vary from person to person but might appear more often.
Dutasteride:
Has pretty much the same side effects as Finasteride with sexual side effects being at 16% instead of 5,31%, also Gynecomastia appears more often.
Topical Minoxidil:
Scalp irritation: itching, redness, dryness, flaking or local inflammation appear pretty common.
Hypertrichosis outside the scalp was reported in some users.
Headaches sometimes appear.
Very rare side effects: rash, contact dermatitis, systemic symptoms
GOOD LUCK GROWING YOUR HAIR!
