Dutasteride Mesotherapy for Hair loss
What is Dutasteride Mesotherapy for hair loss?
Dutasteride Mesotherapy is a hair growth treatment that uses dutasteride in a sterile injectable form applied directly into the scalp in the clinic. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so there is no pain or discomfort. The dutasteride solution is injected superficially under the skin at the level of the hair follicle. The purpose of Dutasteride Mesotherapy is to block the formation of DHT dihydrotestosterone in the scalp and hair follicles. DHT is the primary trigger for hair follicle miniaturization in hereditary hair loss, otherwise known as Androgenetic Alopecia.
What is the Mechanism of Action of Dutasteride?
Dutasteride is a potent 5AR 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, blocking the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT dihydrotestosterone—the primary trigger for hair loss in Androgenetic Alopecia.
How is Dutasteride different from Finasteride?
Finasteride is an oral medication for hair loss that blocks the type 2 5AR enzyme, reducing DHT enough to produce a 90% success rate in men suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia. Dutasteride blocks two subtypes/isoforms of 5AR, producing an even more powerful reduction in DHT than finasteride. Another important difference is the fact that dutasteride has a much longer half-life in the body—which is the main reason that dutasteride is uniquely suited for a localized mesotherapy application into the scalp. Additionally, dutasteride has a larger molecular weight and size than finasteride which also may help its beneficial effects locally at the scalp.
The half-life (a measure of the amount of time it takes for the drug to be eliminated from the body) of finasteride is significantly shorter than dutasteride.
How can Dutasteride be Used for hair regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia?
Dutasteride can be used as an oral treatment for AGA either as a daily dose or less frequently (e.g., 1-3x/wk). It can also be applied topically as Formula 82D–topical dutasteride with minoxidil. In recent years sterile injectable Dutasteride has been used as an intermittent injectable hair growth treatment, called Dutasteride Mesotherapy. Several published reports on its efficacy have appeared in the clinical literature, touting its sometimes dramatic hair growth benefits.
How is Dutasteride Mesotherapy Performed?
After a detailed consultation, your hair will be measured and photographed, and the area cleaned .
Local anaesthetic cream is applied to the area.
Then, the sterile dutasteride solution is applied into the scalp using very fine needles to deliver a series of injections into the middle layer (mesoderm) of skin.
After your treatment, your scalp will be cleaned and dried.
How long does a Dutasteride Mesotherapy treatment take?
Because we will cleanse your hair and scalp antiseptically, as well as take photos and measurements prior to your procedure, you should expect your entire visit to last approximately 60-90 minutes.
What can I expect after Dutasteride Mesotherapy?
The scalp will be numb and appear pink or red for several hours.
As the local anesthesia wears off, you may notice some mild soreness or tenderness in the treatment area that can be easily treated with mild non-narcotic pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Are there any restrictions after Dutasteride Mesotherapy?
Immediately following your procedure, you may return to normal activities of daily life. However, your scalp will be numb for several hours, so we recommend avoiding scalding hot showers, contact sports, or other activities where lack of sensation in your scalp would put you at risk for injury. For the next several hours, you can engage in light exercise and carefully shampoo/shower. You may resume laser therapy that evening and topical medications the next day.
Is Dutasteride Mesotherapy approved for hair loss?
No. Like other off-label therapies such as oral minoxidil, compound minoxidil formulations like Formula 82M, Formula 82F topical finasteride with minoxidil, Formula 82D topical dutasteride with minoxidil, etc., Dutasteride Mesotherapy is not FDA-approved. Physicians can legally prescribe and use approved medications in alternative preparations as long as the original medication is approved.
Why is dutasteride a more suitable mesotherapy treatment than finasteride?
Because of its longer half-life, the dutasteride will remain in the body longer, providing its effect, allowing for repeat treatments spaced weeks or even months apart.
How often should I repeat Dutasteride Mesotherapy?
Currently, we recommend treatment each month for three months, then maintenance once every 90 days. Every patient responds differently, so it would be important to receive routine measurements every 90 days.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Dutasteride Mesotherapy?
Aside from the temporary numbness or soreness from the treatment, systemic effects from 5AR inhibitors include mild and temporary decrease of libido (sex drive) or mild, temporary erectile dysfunction. For those who experience side effects from Dutasteride Mesotherapy, it may take weeks to months for these side effects to resolve.
While there are some reports that Dutasteride Mesotherapy may have fewer side effects than oral finasteride or oral dutasteride, you should discuss any previous sensitivities to 5AR medications with your us.
Can I use Dutasteride Mesotherapy in combination with other therapies?
Yes, absolutely. There is good evidence to support the use of a multi-therapy regimen when it comes to the treatment of hair loss. In that regard, Dutasteride Mesotherapy can be used in conjunction with oral minoxidil, oral finasteride, oral dutasteride, PRP, and hair transplantation.
How long will it take to see results with Dutasteride Mesotherapy?
As with any hair growth medication or treatment, results take time, and patience is required. Changes in hair growth can be typically measured within three to six months after treatment, with full results requiring a year or more.
Have there been any clinical trials on the effectiveness of this treatment?
Yes, with promising results. Here is a link to this: