Duderma (0.1%)

Dutasteride: 0.1% (1 mg in each ml).

We offer DuDerma (0.1%) in two versions. One is formulated with propylene glycol (PG), the other is without PG (PG Free).

Both versions can be selected from the product Options (next to the product price).

If you are not sure whether you are allergic to PG, you can choose the regular DuDerma (~15% people are allergic to PG with symptoms such as itching scalp and skin rashes).

If you are allergic to PG, DuDerma PG Free is the best topical dutasteride solution without minoxidil for you.

DuDerma is a dutasteride only product. We have other topical dutasteride products enhanced with minoxidil and/or finasteride (See details below).

Unit size: 60 ml (2oz). If you choose 60ml x 3, you will receive 3 units, each with 60 ml.

Concentration: 0.1% (1mg in each ml)

Each unit comes with a dropper.

If the concentration is too high for your usage, you can dilute DuDerma with the PG Solvent, or DuDerma PG Free with PG Free Solvent. If you mix one unit of DuDerma with one unit of the Solvent, you will get 120 ml (4 oz) of 0.05% topical solution. To make a 0.025% topical dutasteride solution, you will add 20 ml of DuDerma to 60 ml of PG Solvent/PG Free Solvent.

Use up to 1 ml per application. Use no more than once a day.

Each unit is 60 ml (2 oz). The product comes with a calibrated dropper.

One unit can last for at least 2 months.

It is usually abbreviated as Dut in the hair loss community. It is a type I and type II 5α-reductase inhibitor (Finasteride is a type II 5α-reductase inhibitor only). 5α-reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excessive amount of DHT in the scalp is believed to be responsible for hair loss. The figure below shows how different products work for hair loss treatment. As shown, both finasteride and dutasteride work by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, while other products such as RU58841, spironolactone, and ketoconazole work by preventing DHT from binding to hair follicles.

Literature:

“A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia”
Walter Gubelin Harcha et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24411083/

Superiority of dut over finasteride in hair regrowth and reversal of miniaturization in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled open-label, evaluator-blinded study
Sujit J S Shanshanwal et al. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. Jan-Feb 2017.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27549867/

Efficacy of Oral and Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review
Maira Elizabeth Herz-Ruelas et al. Skin Appendage Disord. 2020 Nov.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33313048/

“5-Alpha reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia: Shifting paradigms, current concepts, comparative efficacy, and safety”
Rachita Dhurat et al. Dermatol Ther. 2020 May.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32279398/

You may know the 500 Dalton rule, which says any molecule with a molecular weight (MW) over 500 Dalton is difficult to be absorbed through skin.

Dut is 528.5 Dalton. Thus some people question if topical dutasteride is effective. An article discussing the 500 Dalton rule can be viewed here.

In the article, it has the figure below. It shows the penetration rate of a molecule through a normal skin (NS) decreases rapidly when the molecular weight (MW) is over 500 Dalton. However, the rate does not become zero until MW reaches 600 Dalton. The penetration rate of dutasteride (mw: 528.5 Dalton) is estimated to be still >50% if the figure is accurate. This means it can be absorbed through skin, although it may not be as fully as smaller molecules.

In addition, we have no doubt that DuDerma can penetrate skin based on the feedback of our customers (see the product review at the end of this page).

Can I mix DuDerma with other topical solution solutions you have and use it together?

This product is miscible with any other topical minoxidil/finasteride solutions we offer and you can mix them in any ratios.

For your convenience, we also offer a product containing Dut with minoxidil (brand name MinoDuta), and a product containing dutasteride, finasteride, and minoxidil (brand name FinoDuta).

How stable is this product?

Topical dutasteride solution is pretty stable. All of our products are freshly made. It is stable for at least one year after you receive the product.

How should I use this product?

Use up to 1 ml per application. Use no more than once a day. Each unit is 60 ml (2 oz), sufficient for a 2-month supply. The product comes with a calibrated dropper.

What is the difference between dutasteride and finasteride?

The structure of Dut and finasteride (Fin) are shown below. Both have similar structure to that of testosterone, the substrate of 5-alpha-reductase (5AR). That is the exact reason why they can bind to the active site of 5AR and inhibit its activity. Both Dut and Fin are very good 5AR inhibitors (or DHT blocker). They tackle hair loss by inhibiting 5AR activity to reduce DHT level.

The difference between Dut and Fin are: (1) Dut is a stronger DHT blocker. Dut is a both type I and type II 5AR inhibitor, while Fin is a type II 5AR inhibitor only. For type II 5AR, dutasteride is approximately three times more potent than finasteride.

Dut has a much longer half life than Fin in the human body (4-5 weeks vs 5-6 hours).