By Gabriel Alizaidy, MD, MS
Dutasteride is one of the most effective DHT-blocking medications available. Oral use can reduce serum DHT by over 90% and scalp DHT by around 51%. This level of suppression is well established in treating male pattern hair loss and has cemented oral dutasteride as the king of hair loss treatments.
Some men may benefit from systemic DHT reduction, which has been associated with reduced skin oiliness, fewer acne breakouts, slower body hair growth, and modest increases in testosterone.
But not everyone wants to alter their hormone profile system-wide. Many men are looking for a way to address hair loss locally, without the broader hormonal trade-offs. That’s what led us to develop a topical alternative.
The Logic Behind Scalp-First Treatment
Oral dutasteride works by lowering DHT levels throughout the body. This systemic reduction includes the scalp, which is why it is effective for treating male pattern baldness. When taken orally, the goal is to reduce DHT everywhere with the expectation that scalp levels will decrease as part of that broader effect.
Topical dutasteride approaches the problem differently. It is applied directly to the scalp to target hair follicles while aiming to limit systemic exposure. Instead of working from the inside out, it is a localized strategy focused on delivering treatment where it is needed most.
That was the intent behind this study. We wanted to evaluate whether a scalp-applied formulation could lower DHT locally while keeping hormone levels elsewhere stable and minimizing side effects. Because dutasteride has a relatively large molecular size, delivering it through the skin is not straightforward. Our proprietary base was developed to help the medication penetrate the scalp barrier and reach the follicles without meaningfully entering the bloodstream.
This trial was designed to begin testing whether that approach could work in practice.
What We Tested
We ran a clinical trial on a scalp-applied dutasteride formulation using a proprietary topical base. Fifteen men applied it daily for at least 30 days. Blood samples were collected before and after to track changes in DHT, testosterone, estradiol, and SHBG. We also used validated questionnaires to assess sexual health, mood, energy, and lifestyle factors.
What We Found
Serum DHT dropped slightly, by about 20% on average, while other hormones remained stable. These results suggest limited systemic absorption, especially when compared to the 90% drop in serum DHT with oral dutasteride.
In terms of how participants felt, we saw improvements across multiple domains:
- Increased libido
- Stable erection quality
- Improved enjoyment of life and energy
- Improvements in anxiety and low mood
While not every result reached statistical significance and the sample size was small, the consistency of the findings matters. Across the board, scores moved in a positive direction, with no evidence of decline in any major category. That kind of uniform trend, especially in a hormone-related treatment, is meaningful. It suggests that the formulation was well tolerated and may support emotional well-being and sexual function without unwanted trade-offs.
Why It Matters
Oral dutasteride remains a highly effective treatment and is generally well tolerated. Evidence even suggests that reported side effects decline with long-term use.
Still, for men who prefer to avoid systemic hormone changes, these early findings suggest that topical dutasteride may be a viable option. The results support further study in larger cohorts and offer a path forward for men seeking a more targeted approach to hair loss.
Try for Yourself
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References
- Marihart S, Harik M, Djavan B. Dutasteride: a review of current data on a novel dual inhibitor of 5alpha reductase. Rev Urol. 2005;7(4):203-210.
