A guide to understanding the differences between Finasteride, Dutasteride and Minoxidil

[mo6]

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!

 

[Fleisch]

Good thread, but why u acting like we care about side effects

 

[mo6]

View attachment 4401246Good thread, but why u acting like we care about side effects

Thx, true some people do though

 

[mo6]

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!

@Aryan Incel

 

[Aryan Incel]

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!

Looks good

 

[It'snotover]

Has pretty much the same side effects as Finasteride with sexual side effects being at 16%

Source? I believe in most studies dut chances of ED were still around 1-3%. Some studies report lower sides than fin, some equal but i don't remember seeing that 16% of sexual side in any study.

 

[mo6]

Source? I believe in most studies dut chances of ED were still around 1-3%. Some studies report lower sides than fin, some equal but i don't remember seeing that 16% of sexual side in any study.

Prospective randomized study of sexual function in men taking dutasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia - PubMed

Treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitors has been associated with sexual adverse events such as impotence (erectile dysfunction) and decreased libido. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate adverse events related to sexual function, based on their frequency, duration, persistence and...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

That’s the study I used.

 

[It'snotover]

Prospective randomized study of sexual function in men taking dutasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia - PubMed

Treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitors has been associated with sexual adverse events such as impotence (erectile dysfunction) and decreased libido. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate adverse events related to sexual function, based on their frequency, duration, persistence and...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

That’s the study I used.

It’s way higher than most studies but tbf small sample size and it stated that continuing the treatment symptoms went away, so it check out ig.

 

[LWD]

when are we gonna start making guides that arent already discussed in botb

 

[mo6]

when are we gonna start making guides that arent already discussed in botb

Tell me something that isn’t and I’ll make a thread about it

 

[mo6]

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!

@fuckinfraorbital

 

[mo6]

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!

@jester

 

[jester]

@jester

mirin

 

[jester]

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!

you should go deeper into explaining the biochemistry behind dht’s effects on hair follicles
nonetheless good thread

 

[mo6]

you should go deeper into explaining the biochemistry behind dht’s effects on hair follicles
nonetheless good thread

I see, I’ll have a look into that. Thx though

 

[LWD]

Tell me something that isn’t and I’ll make a thread about it

no one wants your waterass ai low iq threads grey

Nov 28, 2025

 

[hej1377]

Source? I believe in most studies dut chances of ED were still around 1-3%. Some studies report lower sides than fin, some equal but i don't remember seeing that 16% of sexual side in any study.

Prospective randomized study of sexual function in men taking dutasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia - PubMed

Treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitors has been associated with sexual adverse events such as impotence (erectile dysfunction) and decreased libido. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate adverse events related to sexual function, based on their frequency, duration, persistence and...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

That’s the study I used.

This is because you didnt adjust for placebo whoch makes it 8%, its also not a bad study but less relevamt study than other you couldve used

Safety and Tolerability of the Dual 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia - PMC

After the approval of dutastride for androgenic alopecia (AGA) in 2009, Korean authority required a post-marketing surveillance to obtain further data on its safety profile. The objective was to monitor adverse events (AEs) of dutasteride 0.5 mg in ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This study was done on 18-41 yeat old men and only 1,3% got sexual sides

Your study was done on 23yo-50yo men. This is relevant because lower testosterone levels leaves you at a higher risk from sides from 5ar since testosterone alone in those men are not avle to do everything for the dick and libido alone and while most people rely mostly on test and E for neurological function when you get low test dht can now get into your brain and stimulate ar's there so it helps out the test

So since more poeple here are pretty young another study wouldve been better in this context

 

[mo6]

This is because you didnt adjust for placebo whoch makes it 8%, its also not a bad study but less relevamt study than other you couldve used

Safety and Tolerability of the Dual 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia - PMC

After the approval of dutastride for androgenic alopecia (AGA) in 2009, Korean authority required a post-marketing surveillance to obtain further data on its safety profile. The objective was to monitor adverse events (AEs) of dutasteride 0.5 mg in ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This study was done on 18-41 yeat old men and only 1,3% got sexual sides

Your study was done on 23yo-50yo men. This is relevant because lower testosterone levels leaves you at a higher risk from sides from 5ar since testosterone alone in those men are not avle to do everything for the dick and libido alone and while most people rely mostly on test and E for neurological function when you get low test dht can now get into your brain and stimulate ar's there so it helps out the test

So since more poeple here are pretty young another study wouldve been better in this context

I honestly thought it was 16% without the placebo, that’s my bad.