Topical finasteride with hydroxypropylchitosan shows significantly less serum absorption and minimal DHT reduction compared to oral finasteride. Users need the specific chitosan formulation to avoid side effects seen with regular ethanol+PG solutions.
Topical finasteride may have higher systemic absorption and lower efficacy when using a Propylene Glycol/Ethanol formulation compared to the hydroxypropylchitosan (HPCH) formulation. The safety profile of topical finasteride relies heavily on the HPCH formulation, and using standard solutions might lead to different pharmacokinetics.
The regimen includes using a diluted 5.5% Minoxidil / 0.025% Finasteride solution daily, microneedling weekly, and ketoconazole shampoo twice a week to minimize systemic exposure while maximizing scalp DHT reduction. The goal is to achieve hair regrowth with minimal side effects.