Finasteride vs Regaine: Which Is Best?

Table of Contents

• What is Finasteride?
• What is Regaine?
• Who is Finastride and Regaine Suitable For?
• Which is More Expensive?
• Does Finasteride Have More Side Effects than Regaine?
• Which is More Effective for Hair Loss?
• Is it Safe to Take Finasteride and Regaine Together?
• Should I Take Finasteride or Regaine?

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is a prescription-only medication used to treat androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). It is classified as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and comes in tablets. It works by inhibiting the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone which causes hair to stop growing. The recommended dosage of Finasteride is a 1mg tablet daily around the same time with or without food. [2] 

What is Regaine?

Regaine is the brand name for a hair loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient, Minoxidil and is available to purchase over the counter without a prescription. It is the only non-prescription and clinically proven active ingredient to help stop and reverse androgenic alopecia by stimulating hair growth. Scientists don’t fully understand how Minoxidil works. Hair grows in three cycles: growth phase, transitional phase and resting phase. With androgenic alopecia, the hair follicles shrink and the growth phase is shortened, causing hair loss. [3]

Regaine works in the following ways:

• Reverses the process of shrinking hair follicles
• Increases blood flow around the affected hair follicles
• Stimulates the hair follicles to the growth phase
• Enhances the growth phase - leading to thicker and fuller hair

Regaine is available in a topical solution and foam, ranging in 2% or 5% strength. It is applied by lightly massaging it into the affected scalp area twice a day (at least 12 hours between applications). The recommended dosage for the topical solution is 1ml and half a capful for the topical foam. 

Who is Finastride and Regaine Suitable For?

Finasteride is only prescribed for male androgenic alopecia. It is not approved for use by women with the same condition. This is because Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. The female body produces less testosterone and DHT than the male body. As a result, Finasteride won’t work efficiently on female androgenetic alopecia. 

Finasteride is also not approved for women because it can be absorbed by the skin and cause serious birth defects during pregnancy. Therefore, it should never be used by women who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding. [4]

On the other hand, Regaine is suitable for use by both men and women with androgenic alopecia. For men aged between 18 and 49, Regaine is available as a 5% topical foam. For men aged between 18 and 65, there is also a topical 5% solution. 

For women aged between 18 and 65, Regaine is available as a 2% topical solution or 5% foam. Regaine is applied directly to the scalp, meaning it doesn’t affect hormone levels, unlike Finasteride. Similar to most hair loss medications and treatments, Regaine is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

Which is More Expensive?

As Finasteride is only available through a prescription, it tends to be more expensive than over-the-counter treatments. It is not available on the NHS, patients will need to pay the full cost. [5] 

As an estimate, popular UK pharmacy chains charge from £11 to £55 for a 28-tablet box of Finasteride 1mg (4-week supply). At Chemist Click, a 28-tablet box of Finasteride 1mg starts from £13.89. Prices can vary depending on the manufacturer and pharmacy.

Regaine is an over-the-counter treatment, meaning the price can be slightly lower depending on the pharmacy. Popular UK pharmacies charge between £25 to £37 for a 60ml bottle of topical solution (1-month supply) or £30 to £34 for a 73ml can of topical foam (2-month supply).

Does Finasteride Have More Side Effects Than Regaine?

As Finasteride impacts hormone levels, it is more likely to cause side effects than Regaine. 

Finasteride may cause the following side effects:

• Decreased sexual desire
• Erectile dysfunction
• Breast pain, tenderness or enlargement
• Testicular pain
• Anxiety
• Depression

Like any other medication, Regaine may cause some side effects including:

• Headaches
• Contact dermatitis
• Unwanted non-scalp hair growth
• Nausea
• Change in hair texture or colour
• Skin dryness, itching or burning
• Rashes
• Temporary hair loss

It is important to note side effects may decrease with use and won’t affect everyone. Before using Finasteride or Regaine, please refer to the product information leaflet. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to Finasteride or Regaine, which can appear as chest pain, swelling or difficulty breathing. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop the medication immediately and seek medical help.

Which is More Effective for Hair Loss?

Both Finasteride and Regaine have shown effective results in treating androgenetic alopecia. It can take from 3 months to a year for patients to see improvements using Finasteride. Alternatively, Regaine can show visible results within 3 to 6 months. Results are only effective when instructions are followed with consistent daily usage. If a patient discontinues use, new hair growth can be lost and their previous pattern of hair loss can return.

To test the efficacy of Finasteride, one study conducted the use of Finasteride 1mg/daily on 1,879 men aged between 18 and 41 with mild to moderate male androgenetic alopecia. After 1 year of use, 48% of men found an improvement in hair growth. After 2 years, there was a further hair growth improvement in 66% of men. The study also found there was a 16% increase in hair count after 2 years. [6]

In a clinical study, 352 men between the ages of 18 and 49 were assigned to use Regaine topical 5% foam twice daily. After 16 weeks,  9 out of the 10 men reported hair regrowth. In another clinical study, it was found that 8 out of 10 women reported hair regrowth after the same period from using Regaine topical 5% foam for women. [7]

Is it Safe to Take Finasteride and Regaine Together?

There is currently no research to determine if Finasteride and Regaine can be safely taken together. Some medications can interact with Minoxidil and increase side effects. 

However, there is research that suggests Finasteride can be used with Minoxidil (the active ingredient of Regaine) to enhance hair growth results. In a comparative study of 450 Chinese men with androgenetic alopecia, 160 men were appointed to take Finasteride 1 mg/day, 130 men were appointed to take 5% topical Minoxidil and 160 men were appointed to take a combined medication. After 12 months, the study found that men who took the combined medication showed the best efficacy (94.1%), followed by Finasteride (80.5%) and Minoxidil (59%). [8]

Before you decide to take Finasteride or Regaine together, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider.

Should I Take Finasteride or Regaine?

For those suffering from male androgenetic alopecia, Finasteride is generally the first choice of medication prescribed by your doctor. If you haven’t taken medication before and are looking for an over-the-counter solution, Regaine is a safe and well-tolerated treatment. If you are already taking Finasteride and have not seen hair growth results after 6 months to a year, you may want to consider switching to Regaine, under the guidance of your healthcare provider.

For female androgenetic alopecia, Regaine is likely to be the more effective treatment as the use of Finasteride is not advised for women. Please ensure to use Regaine products designed for women for the best results.

If you are still unsure about whether Finasteride or Regaine is best for you, consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your medical history and specific hair loss condition to determine the right approach.

Sources

1. Medline Plus. (2023). Androgenetic alopecia. Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/
2. Medline Plus. (2022). Finasteride. Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
3. Regaine. (2019). How Minoxidil Works? Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-minoxidil-works
4. Mayo Clinic (2024). Finasteride (Oral Route). Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/finasteride-oral-route/description/drg-20063819
5. NHS. (2023). About Finasteride. Retrieved from 19th August 2024, from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/about-finasteride/
6. ScienceDirect. (2015). Use of Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Hair Loss). Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15529357/
7. Regaine. (2019). How Regaine Works? Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-regaine-works
8. Wiley Online Library. (2015). Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients. Retrieved on 19th August 2024, from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12246

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.