Dutasteride mesotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) that involves multiple intradermal injections of the prescription drug dutasteride directly into the scalp. This technique involves using a very fine, very short needle to deliver the medication locally to the hair follicles while minimizing systemic absorption and potential side effects.

Dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT); DHT is the hormone responsible for hair thinning and hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. By delivering dutasteride directly to the scalp, the treatment targets hair follicles while reducing systemic exposure compared to oral medication.

Studies show that dutasteride mesotherapy can be effective for both male and female pattern hair loss. In a large retrospective study of 541 patients, 80% showed clinical improvement after one year (significant increase in hair density), with 38% experiencing dramatic improvement. Results typically become visible after several months of treatment. Dutasteride mesotherapy should be used as part of an overall androgenic alopecia prevention strategy. It is highly recommended to use topical Minoxidil 5% and specialized shampoo/conditioner such as SureThik.

The most common treatment protocol involves 3 to 4 sessions done every 3 months during the first year. The exact frequency and duration may vary based on individual response and your dermatologist's recommendation. At least 6-12 months of treatment is typically needed to assess effectiveness. If there is good response maintenance therapy can be undertaken every 6 months thereafter.

The most common side effect is pain at the injection site, reported by approximately 45% of patients. Other potential side effects include:

• Frontal edema (swelling), typically lasting 1-4 days and occurring most often in the first two sessions

• Mild burning or erythema (redness)

• Headache

• Rare serious events: paradoxical alopecia (hair loss instead of hair growth), scarring, acute dermatitis; reduced sperm count and motility

Importantly, no serious sexual adverse events have been reported with mesotherapy, unlike oral dutasteride treatment.

Dutasteride mesotherapy is contraindicated in:

• Pregnant women and men or women planning pregnancy (can cause abnormalities in male fetus genitalia)

• Women of childbearing potential not using reliable contraception

• Individuals with hypersensitivity to dutasteride or other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors

Due to dutasteride's long half-life, it is best reserved for postmenopausal women or women of nonchildbearing potential.

Mesotherapy offers the advantage of targeted delivery with reduced systemic absorption, potentially minimizing sexual side effects and other systemic adverse events associated with oral dutasteride. However, mesotherapy requires regular office visits for injections, while oral medication can be taken at home. Oral dutasteride and finasteride may be slightly more effective but at the cost of significantly more potentially serious side effects.

No. Dutasteride mesotherapy is an off-label use. Dutasteride is Health Canada approved only for benign prostatic hyperplasia in men, not for hair loss treatment.

During each session, your nurse/NP or doctor will perform multiple small injections across the affected areas of your scalp. The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes. You may experience temporary pain, redness, or swelling at the injection sites. It is very similar to having PRP treatment of the scalp.

Hair growth is a slow process. Most patients require at least 6-12 months of regular treatment before significant improvement is visible. Some patients may see stabilization of hair loss earlier, while regrowth takes longer.

Yes, dutasteride mesotherapy can often be combined with other hair loss treatments such as topical minoxidil or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Discuss combination therapy options with your dermatologist.

A series of 3 dutasteride mesotherapy treatments is $1400. Individual sessions can be purchased for $500 each. Minoxidil can be purchased OTC for $100 for a 3 month supply (best prices are CostCo and WalMart). SureThik shampoo/conditioner is around $75 for the set.