Some people experience male-pattern baldness when using steroids, while others do not have to worry about hair loss at all. The reason is that some people have congenital genetic defects in the hair follicles at the crown of the head. Hair follicles with these genetic defects produce hair loss factors when stimulated by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, and they also cause excessive sebum secretion on the scalp. These two factors are the causes of hair loss. However, for individuals without these genetic defects, the hair follicles on the crown of the head are not affected by androgens at all and therefore do not experience hair loss.
Steroids used for muscle and strength gain are primarily divided into four categories: testosterone, testosterone derivatives, dihydrotestosterone derivatives, and progesterone derivatives. Of these four, all three except progesterone derivatives are androgens; progesterone-derived steroids are also derived from testosterone. Therefore, strictly speaking, all four types of steroids have the potential to cause hair loss.
Under the action of 5-alpha-reductase, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles with genetic defects, when stimulated by DHT, produce hair loss factors and increase scalp oil production, which prolongs the telogen phase and shortens the anagen phase. The hair follicles gradually atrophy and eventually die, resulting in androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic alopecia. Finasteride binds to 5-alpha-reductase, preventing it from binding to testosterone and thereby blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, thus preventing androgenetic alopecia. However, when exogenous steroids are used, the body produces many times the normal amount of 5-alpha-reductase, so the 1-milligram dose of finasteride typically used to treat hair loss is ineffective for steroid users; a higher dose of finasteride is required to effectively combat male pattern baldness caused by exogenous hormones. Minoxidil is a topical spray that can more than double blood circulation in the scalp, providing hair follicles with ample nutrients and promoting more vigorous growth. Growth hormone accelerates the division, renewal, and growth of cells throughout the body, including the hair follicles on the scalp. Therefore, a combination of high-dose finasteride, daily application of minoxidil spray, and daily use of growth hormone can effectively reverse steroid-induced hair loss.
There are two additional benefits to using finasteride while on a C-cycle: it can reduce the excessive libido and acne caused by steroids. Don’t assume that a reduced libido is a bad thing—some people engage in sex several times a day while on steroids, which leads to sexual exhaustion and makes them tire very easily during training. Using finasteride can bring libido back to normal levels, which aids in training and recovery. Concerns that finasteride causes erectile dysfunction are largely unfounded, as a few hundred milligrams of exogenous testosterone per week is sufficient to maintain male libido and virility.
Explanation of why libido is reduced and acne growth is suppressed:
The primary function of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is to maintain strength, virility, and libido; therefore, finasteride suppresses libido by reducing DHT levels.
Side effects of excess dihydrotestosterone include hair loss and acne; therefore, inhibiting dihydrotestosterone can suppress the development of acne or reduce the number of acne lesions.
For example: 5 mg of finasteride daily + minoxidil spray daily + 3.3 IU of growth hormone daily can help combat hair loss. This daily dosage is intended for a steroid regimen consisting of 500 mg of testosterone and 500 mg of boldenone per week. If the steroid dosage is very high, the finasteride dosage should also be increased.
Instructions for using the three medications:
- Inject 3.3 IU to 5 IU of growth hormone daily upon waking.
- Take finasteride at the same time every day.
- After washing and drying your hair in the morning and evening, spray minoxidil onto the crown and forehead, then gently tap the scalp with your fingertips until the medication is fully absorbed (use shampoo only once between washes; preferably a silicone-free ginger shampoo).