A consumer inquires as to how HairGenesis® compares with finasteride (Propecia®/Proscar®).  Here's my response:

 Your e-mail was forwarded to my attention so I hope you do not mind if I reply personally.  I should preface my comments by noting that I am a Ph.D. research scientist, NOT an M.D. clinician.  This means that any thoughts I offer in this regard should not be construed as medical advice.  As long as we both appreciate the limitations of what I've just conveyed, here are my thoughts.

In the first instance, I am aware of the side effect profile noted with finasteride.  I've also read the clinical studies describing its utility in the setting of pattern hair loss.  As you may be aware finasteride is a specific inhibitor of the type two 5 alpha-reductase enzyme, the enzyme implicated in the conversion of testosterone to the pathologic metabolite 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.  However, because both 5 alpha-reductase (5AR) isoforms (type 1 and type 2) may play a role in patten hair loss, the activity of type 1 5AR is still operative even in the face of therapeutic challenge with finasteride. 

This is an important reason why the drug dutasteride, an inhibitor of both 5AR isoforms, was conceived and created. 

Now, let us turn our attention to HairGenesis®.  The HairGenesis® formula was originally designed to incorporate natural substances that had shown remarkable efficiency in basic science experiments in blocking both 5AR isoforms.  The utility of these substances was validated through numerous European clinical trials in the setting of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) a disorder which shares a striking degree of biochemical events with pattern hair loss.

HairGenesis® was clinically tested in open label trials and showed excellent safety and efficacy.  This outcome was further validated in a 2002 IRB monitored clinical trial which was subsequently published in the medical literature. Over the past five years work in our lab has been undertaken to further improve the product line.  Our guiding hypothesis in this effort stems from the well-recognized fact that pattern hair loss is a complex trait disorder, meaning that it is influenced by multiple factors --- importantly, factors other than simple 5AR-triggered events.  One of the key metabolic pathways we turned our attention to was inflammation in the hair follicle.  In 2007 a series of experiments was undertaken in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Albany.  The positive outcome of this work was articulated in the recent publication of a peer-reviewed study which showed a multiple mechanism of action for a new hair treatment formula developed in our lab.   In 2009, the HairGenesis® formula was updated to reflect this new mechanism of action.

In plain English, our latest version of HairGenesis®, known as Generation IV, is thought to offer simultaneous inhibition of the pathologic 5AR pathway and blockade of key gene-based precursors to pathologic inflammation of susceptible scalp hair follicles.  Because the active composition is based around naturally-derived substrate, the safety profile for Generation IV HairGenesis® remains excellent, with the maximum strength formula equally suitable and efficacious regardless of gender. 

As time passes, our R&D efforts shall continue and we hope to make further advancements in the development of ever-more useful treatment formulations.  I hope this helps answer your question.  If further clarity is desired, please advise.