Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male/female pattern baldness, is a condition caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 50% of men and 40% of women will experience some degree of androgenic alopecia by the age of 50, and men in particular may begin to notice hair loss as soon as their early twenties. Minoxidil and/or dutasteride injections are a promising, effective new treatment for androgenic alopecia in both men and women.
Androgenic alopecia is characterized by the progressive shrinking of hair follicles due to an overproduction of the hormone DHT, which leads to hair loss over time. Dutasteride blocks the enzyme which overproduces this hormone, effectively preventing miniaturization of the hair follicle. Minoxidil is working similar to epidermal growth factor by regenerating the hair follicle on a molecular level. Most people do not notice they are suffering from androgenic alopecia until they have already experienced significant hair loss. Preventative treatments work better the earlier they are started – don’t wait to seek treatment!
Minoxidil and dutasteride injections are administered through a process called hair mesotherapy. This involves a series of injections over the scalp’s affected areas, delivering a high concentration of medication directly to the root of the hair follicle. Clinical studies of mesotherapy treatment using minoxidil and dutasteride compound injections have demonstrated improvement in hair growth for both male and female patients.
| Treatment | Blood Draw | Prep Time | Pain (X/10) | Rounds Until Results | Effectiveness (X/10) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exosome | No | None | 2 | 2-3 | 7 | $$$ |
| PRP | Yes | 30 Min | 7 | 3-7 | 5 | $$ |
| PRFM | Yes | 10 Min | 6 | 3-7 | 5 | $$$ |
| Minoxidil/Dutasteride | No | None | 2 | 3-7 | 5 | $$ |
While mesotherapy is more invasive than oral minoxidil and dutasteride, we offer local anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable. The whole procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Since dutasteride takes a long time for the body to metabolize, injection treatment can be performed as infrequently as once every month or every few months for noticeable hair growth results.
| Side Effect | Dutasteride Mesotherapy | Oral Dutasteride |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Injection Site Pain | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Libido Reduction | Not Detected | Rare |
| Erectile Dysfunction | Not Detected | Rare |
| Hypotension | Not Detected | Rare |
Minoxidil and dutasteride injections produce the same sought after result as their oral counterparts and are the logical alternative for patients who prefer to avoid daily oral androgenic alopecia medications A notable advantage of mesotherapy injections over oral tablets is the absence of negative side effects commonly associated with systemic medications. Common side effects of oral minoxidil and dutasteride are orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, chills, confusion, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, and decreased libido. Although many of these undesirable side effects fade after about three months, some people note persistence. Unlike oral minoxidil and dutasteride treatments, adverse side effects are relatively negligible after local injection treatments and side effects are almost entirely limited to temporary injection site irritation.
When androgenic alopecia is left untreated, hair loss will progress. Minoxidil and dutasteride injection treatments are a treatment for androgenic alopecia, particularly for patients who are concerned with the common systemic side effects of oral treatment options. If you are beginning to experience hair loss, or are interested in treatment, book a consultation today.
