Minoxidil is a substance that can stimulate hair growth. It works differently from finasteride: not through hormones, but by acting on the hair growth cycle itself. Click through for the two parts of that story.

In a randomised study of 393 men, a 5% solution on the scalp gave more hair growth than a 2% solution and than placebo, with a visible effect sooner. The higher concentration did cause local irritation or itching slightly more often. Results vary per person.

Source: Olsen et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2002 - PubMed 12196747

Minoxidil exists both as a form for the scalp and as a tablet. Research compares both routes; the topical form works locally on the scalp, while a tablet works throughout the whole body via the blood. Which form is suitable is a medical decision the doctor makes.

Source: RCT oral versus topical minoxidil, JAMA Dermatol 2024 - PubMed 38598226

Finasteride acts on the formation of DHT, the hormone linked to hereditary hair loss. Click open the two concepts.

The oral form (the pill) has long been researched for hereditary hair loss in men, with long-running studies over several years. The literature describes that it can prevent further hair loss in some men. What is suitable and to be expected for you is something you discuss with the doctor.

Sources: review article finasteride - PubMed 9951956 · long-term 5-year study - PubMed 11809594

Topical finasteride is applied to the scalp instead of swallowed. The core comes from a randomised study of 458 men that compared topical with the pill and with placebo. Click through for the design and the outcomes.

Source: Piraccini et al. (Topical Finasteride Study Group), JEADV 2022 - PubMed 34634163

Both tackle hair loss in the same way. The difference is where the medicine ends up in your body. Click open the two forms.

In the comparative study the result on hair growth was similar: topical gave an increase of 20.2 hairs in the measurement area versus 6.7 with placebo, and the pill gave a similar result to topical. Results vary per person.

Source: Piraccini et al., JEADV 2022 - PubMed 34634163

With the pill, the active ingredient travels through your blood to your whole body. Topical mostly stays where you need it, so much less ends up in your blood. Research looks at, among other things, whether that lower amount in the blood makes a difference. What that means for you is something you discuss with the doctor.

Source: Piraccini et al., JEADV 2022 - PubMed 34634163

Compounded means a pharmacy makes the treatment to measure for the patient, based on a prescription, instead of a ready-made factory product. This is a normal and regulated practice within Dutch pharmacy care.

The term refers to a medicine used outside the conditions of its official registration, or one that has no registration for a specific use. That may sound unusual, but it is a well-known and common practice in healthcare and does not in itself mean a medicine is unsafe or experimental.

With a topical preparation, the active ingredient is applied directly to the scalp, where it is needed. Research into topical finasteride shows that much less active ingredient ends up in the blood than with the pill. Whether and to what extent that makes a difference for you is a medical decision the doctor makes with you.

Source: Piraccini et al., JEADV 2022 - PubMed 34634163

The treatment is compounded to measure by Transvaal Apotheek in the Netherlands and delivered discreetly to your home.

Like any medicine, finasteride and minoxidil can cause side effects. Part of the research into topical use looks at whether a lower amount of active ingredient in the blood makes a difference. What applies to you depends on your situation and is something you discuss with the doctor; general explanations on this page don't replace that conversation.

Source: Piraccini et al., JEADV 2022 - PubMed 34634163

A topical form works mainly locally on the scalp, while a pill or tablet works throughout the whole body via the blood. Research compares these routes on things like how much active ingredient ends up in the blood. With topical minoxidil, local reactions such as itching or irritation occur; slightly more often at higher concentrations.

Sources: Olsen et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2002 - PubMed 12196747 · oral versus topical minoxidil, JAMA Dermatol 2024 - PubMed 38598226

Hair grows slowly. Research usually measures over three to six months before a change becomes visible, and the effect only lasts with continued use. Temporary shedding can occur in the first weeks; the literature describes this as normal. What you can expect yourself is something you discuss with your doctor.

Fully online, in four steps. You don't need to leave the house and you don't need to make an appointment. Click the steps open.

Your request is reviewed by Prof. dr. Sherief Janmohamed, dermatoloog en professor, BIG-nummer 39066055201. That number is public and personal, so you can check for yourself that he is qualified.

You can check it in the government's BIG register: search by BIG number. Enter 39066055201. Searching by number always gives the right person straight away; searching by name can cause confusion with people of the same name.

You can of course, and your GP is always a good first point of contact. In practice, though, men with hair loss run into a few things.

The hair check takes about three minutes. Then the doctor reviews your file and you get a message by email. If a treatment is suitable, you join the next delivery round. If that's full, the round after follows, about two weeks later.

Yes. The medical team calls you personally if there's something in your file that needs follow-up, and you can also contact us yourself with questions about your treatment. Digital doesn't mean there's nobody on the other side.

Then you get a message with the reason and you don't pay anything for a treatment. That happens, for example, with certain conditions or medicines, or when your complaints need further investigation first. So a rejection isn't a formality we work around; it's exactly what the review is for.

No. Topical finasteride is not registered by the CBG or the EMA for hair loss. It is compounded to measure and supplied exclusively through a Dutch doctor and pharmacy, for adults. We state this fact deliberately and consistently.

Ja. Elke aanvraag wordt persoonlijk beoordeeld door dermatoloog en professor Prof. dr. Sherief Janmohamed. Hij bepaalt of een medisch begeleide behandeling passend is. Zo niet, dan krijg je bericht en betaal je niets voor een behandeling.