In this guide, you will learn how to create topical solutions using a combination of minoxidil and finasteride. This is an appealing option for those who prefer not to take oral finasteride and would rather apply a minoxidil-infused solution directly to their scalp.

Not only will we show you how to make these solutions, but we will also explain how to calculate the required concentrations to create solutions with different strengths. This will allow you to easily prepare the following solutions:

• Minoxidil 5% + Finasteride 0.025%
• Minoxidil 5% + Finasteride 0.05%
• Minoxidil 5% + Finasteride 0.1%

Additionally, we’ll cover the preparation of finasteride solutions at various concentrations:

• Finasteride 0.025%
• Finasteride 0.05%
• Finasteride 0.1%

Understanding dosage levels

You might be wondering why we use a 5% concentration of minoxidil while the finasteride concentration remains relatively low. The reason for this is that we don’t require as much finasteride as we do minoxidil to achieve our desired outcomes.

In fact, when finasteride is taken orally, a daily dosage of 0.25 to 1 mg is sufficient to attain the desired results. You can observe this in the table below:

You’ll notice that there isn’t a significant distinction between oral finasteride at 0.25 mg and 5 mg, despite a 20-fold difference in dosage!

When we convert our topical finasteride concentrations into milligrams, we get the following equivalences:

• 1 ml of Finasteride 0.025% is equivalent to 0.25 mg of finasteride exposure.
• 1 ml of Finasteride 0.05% is equivalent to 0.5 mg of finasteride exposure.
• 1 ml of Finasteride 0.1% is equivalent to 1 mg of finasteride exposure.

It’s important to note that even when using topical finasteride, some of it will be absorbed into your bloodstream. Consequently, this can lead to effects similar to oral finasteride but at a reduced intensity.

According to scientific studies : exposing your scalp to 0.25 mg of finasteride will reduce scalp DHT levels by 50% and blood DHT levels by 25%. If you apply 1 mg of finasteride to your skin, you’ll decrease scalp DHT levels by 55% and blood DHT levels by 50%.

However, it’s crucial to understand that the effects are still slightly less potent than the oral form, and low-dose topical applications have a more targeted impact on scalp DHT levels rather than systemic DHT levels.

Creating Minoxidil + Finasteride solutions

To make your own minoxidil + finasteride solution, you’ll need two key ingredients:

• A bottle of 5% minoxidil.
• 1 mg finasteride tablets or Proscar 5 mg.

Proscar is essentially 5 mg finasteride and is often more cost-effective than finasteride typically used for hair loss. It’s important to note that Proscar is primarily prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia but contains the same active ingredient.

In terms of cost, a box of generic finasteride (28 tablets) is priced at 15€, which breaks down to 0.53€ per 1 mg of finasteride. On the other hand, a box of Proscar (28 tablets) costs 12€, equivalent to 0.085€ per 1 mg of finasteride.

If you have the option to purchase Proscar, it’s the more economical choice, being around six times cheaper than hair loss-specific finasteride. However, Proscar may not be readily available to everyone, so obtaining it might require some effort on your part.

Once you’ve acquired these components, the next step is to crush the finasteride or Proscar tablets and add them to the bottle of minoxidil, following the recommended dosages to achieve your desired concentration.

Here’s a useful table to assist you in calculating dosages based on your desired concentration:

Assuming a bottle of minoxidil costs 10€, a box of generic finasteride is priced at 15€, and a box of Proscar costs 12€ (prices in France).

As you prepare your topical solution, you’ll likely notice significant residue settling at the bottom of your bottle. This is because finasteride tablets contain not only the active finasteride but also inactive ingredients to maintain the tablet’s solid form or aid in digestion.

To prevent potential clogging of the bottle’s dropper or sprayer, as well as to avoid residue ending up on your scalp, I recommend filtering the solution using a cloth to remove these residues.

In my recommendation, I suggest using a solution of 5% minoxidil + 0.025% finasteride, applying 1 ml in the morning and 1 ml in the evening. However, if you prefer a higher finasteride concentration, you can apply 1 ml once a day.

Creating Finasteride-only solutions

To prepare a finasteride-only solution without minoxidil, you’ll need three primary ingredients:

• Ethanol
• Propylene glycol
• Water

These ingredients are inactive components commonly found in minoxidil formulations, facilitating extended absorption through the skin.

Typically, for a 60ml minoxidil bottle, the ingredient volumes are as follows:

• 60% ethanol
• 20% propylene glycol
• 20% water

It’s worth noting that some individuals may experience skin irritation due to propylene glycol. If you’re one of them, consider reducing the propylene glycol volume. You can decrease it to 10% or even 5%, but it’s advisable not to eliminate it entirely. Complete removal of propylene glycol may cause ethanol to evaporate too quickly, affecting the absorption of finasteride.

For enhanced absorption, it’s recommended to include 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

Here are the precise formulations for different finasteride concentrations:

Finasteride 0.1% (60 ml)

• 36 ml of ethanol (equivalent to 60%)
• 12 ml of propylene glycol (equivalent to 20%)
• 12 ml of water (equivalent to 20%)
• 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 60 tablets of 1 mg finasteride (or 12 tablets of 5 mg Proscar)

Finasteride 0.05% (60 ml)

• 36 ml of ethanol (equivalent to 60%)
• 12 ml of propylene glycol (equivalent to 20%)
• 12 ml of water (equivalent to 20%)
• 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 30 tablets of 1 mg finasteride (or 6 tablets of 5 mg Proscar)

Finasteride 0.025% (60 ml)

• 36 ml of ethanol (equivalent to 60%)
• 12 ml of propylene glycol (equivalent to 20%)
• 12 ml of water (equivalent to 20%)
• 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 15 tablets of 1 mg finasteride (or 3 tablets of 5 mg Proscar)

Like the minoxidil + finasteride solution, you may observe residue settling at the bottom of the bottle. To prevent this, you can filter the solution using a cloth to obtain a clear solution.

For a finasteride concentration of 0.025%, I recommend applying 1 ml both in the morning and evening. However, if you prefer a higher finasteride concentration, a single daily application of 1 ml is sufficient.