Currently, there are more than 200 types of problems related to hair and scalp. More and more people refuse to see how their hair is progressively disappearing and are looking for a solution to look good again and not lose it permanently.

One of the most frequent concerns among the population is androgenetic alopecia, also known as common baldness. It is estimated that it affects more men than women and among its causes is genetics and hormones, for this reason, it increases after menopause among women. 80% of men can suffer from it at some point in their life and up to 40% of women. In addition, this type of alopecia increases with age and can be one of the symptoms of other diseases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In both cases, there is a surplus of male hormones in the body.

What is androgenetic alopecia?

We speak of androgenetic alopecia when there is a loss of hair density in some areas of the scalp. In the case of men, it usually occurs in the areas of the entrances and crown. In women, there is no specific area, it is usually more diffuse. This occurs due to the fact that the hair becomes finer and finer until it reaches a point where the follicles become so small that the hair ends up disappearing. Sometimes common baldness is also associated with an excess of sebum on the scalp.

This type of alopecia is diagnosed through a medical history of the patient and a physical examination with a dermatoscope. In some cases, the professional may also need to perform blood tests or even skin biopsies. It is worth noting that this type of alopecia, if detected in the initial stages, is reversible, so if you begin to notice any symptoms, it is essential to go to a professional to start the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible. In the event that the follicle has already disappeared, it will be necessary to perform a hair transplant to be able to show off hair again.

Dutasteride Injections: A New Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia

It is hair mesotherapy with injections of dutasteride, an anti-androgen drug that is applied directly to the hair follicles. When dutasteride is applied directly to the skin of the scalp, a higher concentration of the product reaches the follicular root, thus having a direct action that favors the thickening of the follicles.

This treatment is performed under mild local anesthesia at various points so that the professional works with more precision and the patient does not notice the discomfort of the microinjections. Therefore, it is totally painless and can be applied to both men and women. The session, which is carried out in the same consultation, usually lasts about 30 minutes and about 60 punctures are practiced in the area to be treated, which is usually the entrances, the frontal region and the crown. At the end of the treatment, the professional cleans the treated area.

After mesotherapy with dutasteride, it is important to note that unlike other techniques that require surgery, the patient can lead a completely normal life upon leaving the consultation since no prior or subsequent care is required, nor are there any visible marks. In addition, you can wash your hair that same day.

Depending on the needs and peculiarities of each patient, more or fewer sessions will be necessary since it depends on the type of alopecia and the objective to be achieved. Typically, 2-4 are needed per year and the price for dutasteride microinjections is usually around € 350 per session.

On occasion, there are professionals who recommend combining this antiandrogen infiltration treatment with other oral treatments such as finasteride and dutasteride.

Results

With dutasteride injections, it is possible to improve capillary density, a fact that causes an increase in self-esteem and in the quality of life of patients. In addition, the patient does not have to be taking pills daily or applying topical products as with other treatments.

Generally, you have to wait about 6 months or a year to begin to notice the effects since it is a long-term treatment. After the drug is injected, the drug continues to have an effect on the tissues for a month, for this reason the sessions are not as continuous as with other products.

Side effects or risks

Regarding the side effects of this drug, experts comment that they are mild and especially at the local level. That is, at most, swelling or pain can occur in the treated area, but in no case, systemic effects as happens with other treatments for baldness that can affect, for example, sexual functions. This swelling is usually due to the fluid that has been introduced during the procedure and is usually reabsorbed by itself after 24 or 48 hours.