Dr. Hasson Updates us on Topical Finasteride

In June 2014, I wrote a popular post on topical finasteride that I  have since updated a few times. Shortly thereafter, someone from the Hasson & Wong clinic in Vancouver, Canada e-mailed me. They wanted to let me know that they now prescribe topical finasteride for hair loss.

Fast forward to several days ago, and Dr. Victor Hasson posted a detailed comment in that original blog post. I thought that his comment deserved its own post. Here is Dr. Hasson’s update:

Our topical finasteride solution that we have been using for the past 2 years has proven to be very effective. It has been used primarily in patients who had been experiencing side effects on the oral drug. These patients have been free of side effects on the topical formulation.

This is a good sign that the drug is unlikely to be going systemic via cutaneous permeation. We are currently performing tests using Franz diffusion cells with the The University of Milan to get more data.

Once we have secured a reliable source for dutasteride we will start testing topical formulations with this drug as it will likely be more effective.

A new liposomal formulation of topical finasteride is currently available to our European patients. It has been developed in collaboration with Farmacia Parati in Italy. This preparation can be obtained from this company. You will require a physicians prescription for this, as the formulation needs to be compounded on a case by case basis. This is in order to comply with European and FDA regulations.

Victor Hasson MD

I am impressed by the efforts that the Hassson & Wong clinic is putting into creating their own topical finasteride and topical dutasteride products. A 2007 study on liposomal delivery of finasteride suggests that this route  will be effective.

If the results from these topical products consistently prove to be as good or superior to oral finasteride, this development will be a game changer. Especially if there are fewer side effects.

57 thoughts on “Dr. Hasson Updates us on Topical Finasteride”

  1. I was intersted in topical finasteride since I suffered side effects when taking the oral brand. Can you tell me the name of the european product?

    1. Why it is not readily available I don’t know. I know it can be ordered from several places, Dr Ron Shapiro in Minneapolis and thru Regenamax in Mexico. All is made in the U.S. according to most recent formulations that keep the finasteride on the surface of the skin for local penetration only.
      Dr Cole in Alpharetta, GA also has it……so it is around.

    1. I WENT to Cananda to buy some and the pharmacy in Vancouver would not sell it to me because I was from the U.S., FDA they said.
      I say bull….don’t need them now see above for the same formulation as the Vancouver pharmacy and Parati in Italy.

  2. Does the Canadian branch give any details on their preparation. I have seen some papers describe their topical fin, but they did not always get results. Would be nice to know how they make it.

    1. Go to a doctor that uses a compounding pharmacy- they are all over the place because of TRT and HRT treatments. Almost every city has a compound Pharmacy.

    2. I called the Vancouver pharmacy, I emailed them but they would not tell me anything and were on the rude side for reasons I am not sure. Seems selling is what they are there for.
      I did some research, found their recipe, and where to get at a reasonable price. No other choice.

  3. hi ,
    long time reader, first time poster here.
    Topical finasteride isn’t something new, is it? but I have yet to hear that it’s a breakthrough solution to mpb. I should do more research on this but anyone can direct me to a study comparing the conventional oral fin with a topical one?

  4. What sort of testing are they doing? Not sure if I’m willing to take this guy on just his word, which is basically all we have.

    1. Wise of you to be wary. I would also want to know a lot more about the testing procedure and about the compounding facility before buying.

    2. I read the studies. Very impressive study and very detailed. The liposomal formulation does not get absorbed systemically and stays in the follicle 5 fold greater than other topicals I read.

      I can connect you with a supplier. All you need is a prescription. Or talk to Dr Shapiro, Ron, Regenamax or Dr Cole in Atlanta area. The liposomal topical version has impressive results, greater hair density and some new regrowth, at least according to their study. We will see.

    3. Like I said, many studies out there and the results are good. Have no fear, get it, try it. You will like it.

  5. Could you give us more information, how topical finasteride can be prepared whether it would be possible to create it by ourselves and when it is supposed to come to Europe ?

    Thanks

    1. You can make it yourself. You will need the formula, some mixing equipment. The Fin will have to come from China or India and other components easy to get….I bought it all and since I am a pharmacist, I make my own, to perfection.

  6. I have demanded the quotation of topical fin and for one time i would be ready to spend this much of money plus shipping charges but i am not known whether will it create some difference or will it have some aide effects. He talks of leseer side effect but cant be aboided 100%

    1. This is a reply to an old post I see…..I have studied the reports for the past 4 weeks. I think I know what works and where to buy and no sexual side effects from the Liposomal Fin solution.

  7. If there is any comparision of topical and oral fin available then going with that i can take a chance to use the topical gel.

  8. Hopefully some guys from this site can be leaders and try out his topical fin product and report back. Unfortunately I can no longer be a tester as im not in the best of health. Otherwise I would.

  9. My prescription for the Italian lab was accepted, so I will be trying the topical out soon. I have never tried fin before so don’t know yet if I get sides.

    1. Hi Bruno!

      I’m interested in hearing about your experience. Have you had any side effects since taking the drug. It’s been over a year now, but as with oral finasteride I know side effects can come as late as two years. If you are willing I’d appreciate to hear from you!

  10. Hey there. I currently work as a lab tech at a compounding pharmacy in northern New England.

    I have a good relationship with my doc and, if I was able to obtain the liposomal topical fin formula, I would be able to get the rx and compound it myself.

    Does anyone know where I might find such a formula for topical fin? Would Dr. Hasson be willing to share theirs? Thanks so much.

    1. Yea…I have the study with the formulation. The Farmacia Parati in Italy’s formula is available if you search. Find the study and Hasson lays it all out.

      1. He did test the Franz cells in 2017 and levels of the drugs
        or API showed no detection so no side effects.

        I have the complete study.

  11. Admin,

    Hi, I’m follow to a post from last year about the hasson & wong topical fin. Specifically “… drug is unlikely to be going systemic via cutaneous permeation. We are currently performing tests using Franz diffusion cells with the The University of Milan to get more data.”

    Since those tests were done a year ago, were you able to find out the results?

  12. I have a question, will topical finasteride cease to work after a certain amount of time. I’m currently on my third batch and I’m worried that all my progress may be for nothing :(

  13. Hey Admin,

    Thanks for such a great post this gives me some hope!

    And Jake thanks for posting the link to buy the Fin at Farmacia Parati. I just clicked on the website and I cant find a Topical Finesteride Formula anywhere?? I clicked all the links? Can someone provide insight if they still sell it as this post was originally a year ago in 2015.

    Can anyone PLEASE give a link or at least direct me in a direction where I can buy this Topical Finesteride (or Dutasteride even better).

    Thanks! I appreciate everything you do for the Hairloss community!

    1. They sell 30ml at $60US which I would say expensive since what I have read, 2-4ml a day. No way 1ml a day will cover the scalp…..there are other choices.

  14. I deal with the Italians that go to Hasson and Wong. Unlike Canada most dermatologists are private so once an Italian starts losing their hair they go right to them first. 99% of all dermatologists in Italy say the same think. ” don’t take propecia it has a lot of side effects, you need to start taking our solution (usually around $200-400 a month)”. So many Italians are quite fearful of taking the pill form. About two years ago when the topical finasteride became available many Italians started taking it, including myself. I have heard nothing about side effects, and everyone is happy with the results they are seeing. I am not sure about the study done in Milan but will find out and let you guys know.

  15. Lorenzo
    Thanks
    Can you put contact information for that doctor in Italy that has the lyp topical Fan compound? Thank you. Desperate!

  16. just decided to give it a try myself as well as Lorenzo,since my hair transplant of some years ago “failed” due to various reasons (sebum = ie,made out of too much DHT in the head area,stress and other stuff)
    i hope it will work out :) good luck to everyone!

  17. Hi Guys,

    Just a little update on liposomal finasteride gel from H&W.

    I have been using it for around a week now and I haven’t felt a single sign of it going systemic.
    I apply it at night before going to bed and shower in the morning

    Bear in mind that I tried oral fin twice and quit both of the times due to sides.
    Once I got was unable to sustain an erection for a whole week and the other time I got brain fog almost immediately after starting which made it very hard to concentrate in college.
    (Don’t worry everything came back to normal 2 weeks upon discontinuation)

    I had an initial blood test for DHT before starting and I will do another one in 2-3 months to ensure that it’s not lowering my DHT systematically.
    I might also order a scalp analyzer device to closely monitor the progress of the hair.

    I think this news is pretty encouraging and if it proves to be effective without going systemic, this is a true blessing.

    1. Hello Saleen
      Are you from Canada? I would be interrested too in trying out that new topical fin. I’ve tried fin oral before but got scared when I was shedding plus I was experiencing mild pain in my balls after popping the pill. Did you notice shedding with topical and di you get shedding from oral before?

    2. I have been using for about 3 weeks now, not Parati or the Vancouver pharmacy’s product but my fall out has really slowed down. No side effects whatsoever. The liposomal product should get a whole lot more attention! It works, I think.

    1. You have to go SEE H&W. Pay $100CA for the office visit but if you live in the US Wong was reluctant to give me an Rx for it.
      He only gave me a Rx after I persisted and told him I was going to get it from Parati in Italy.

    1. I wanted to ask some questions
      1.What is written in a prescription? I mean what does a doctor need to write in a prescription so that they can accept it?
      2. Should you send a prescription to them every month, is it possible to request an amount for a year or more ? (Sorry I don’t know much about prescriptions)
      3. for anyone who bought it is there a choice to get the 1 mg or 5 mg version of finasteride and of course how much does it cost?
      Thank you

      1. Good questions. have the doc write Liposomal Finasteride
        solution 2.5% or 1.25% or 1%. Use as directed and ask for prn refills….order the 1.25% strength and use nightly.

  18. I do know that Dut must be absorbable through the skin and mucous membranes as women and especially pregnant women are discouraged from handling the capsules or broken capsules. It is also said a man taking Dut ought wear a condom so his partner does not get Dut via semen, especially if she is pregnant. There is also a study done in Egypt, where they did “mesotherapy” injecting a Dut solution in the epidermis of women with FPHL over 18 weeks. The results were dramatic. They were injected 2 mL of solution in 1cm spacing on scalp over vertex at depth of 2-4mm using a 4mm 30 guage meso needle. Said “nappage technique” Using product called Mesopecia, from Mesodermal Co., Mesa AZ.

  19. Is there any consumer accessable way of measuring the DHT in the scalp? That way, if we use standard ways of measuring the DHT in the blood, and have a way of also measuring the DHT in the scalp then we can see if this product is actually working.

  20. I would pass on this product. While the Minox works well with the liposomal Fin, this product you mentioned is not a liposomal version.

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