Xyon, a new topical Finasteride gel preparation is designed to reduce finasteride side effects while increasing effectiveness. How does it work? How to use it? is it superior to other topical Finasteride preparations? This article explains it all.
Before we examine XYON, we’ll take a look at Finasteride, how it works and the possible side effects. If you already know about Finasteride, feel free to skip to the next section.
What is Finasteride and how does it work in hair loss?
Finasteride (Propecia or Proscar) is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, which means that it blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. DHT is a key hormone in hair loss. It binds to hormone receptors in the follicle and activates genes that shorten the growth phase and lead to thinning of the hair.
DHT levels and the side effects of Finasteride
Finasteride has been shown to decrease scalp DHT levels by up to 60% however it can also lead to reduced DHT levels in the blood too. This is potentially problematic because low DHT levels have been associated with distressing side effects such as sexual dysfunction. These symptoms include problems achieving or maintaining an erection, delayed ejaculation and decreased libido and have been noted to affect around 1.5% of men.
Topical finasteride can reduce side effects
Studies have shown that topical finasteride can reduce side effects when compared to oral finasteride. Topical preparations have a distinct advantage in that they are designed to deliver the drug to precisely where it is needed. Targeted drug delivery increases effectiveness while potentially reducing side effects due to the drug acting in other areas of the body. However, even with topical finasteride, there remains a chance of absorption through the skin and into the bloodstream. This is something which the developers of XYON are aiming to reduce with their new preparation.
XYON is a topical finasteride gel designed for hair loss by XYON Health, a company based in Vancouver, Canada. XYON is designed to remain on the scalp for longer, using a controlled-release technology which aims to increase effectiveness while reducing side effects.
How does it work?
XYON is a 2.5% Finasteride preparation that works using the SiloxysSystem™ Gel Technology. This is a liposomal drug delivery system in conjunction with a silicone polymer that creates a 3D mesh. A liposome is a lipid (fat) based droplet that encloses the drug. Liposomes allow for the controlled release of drugs over a prolonged period. (See figure 1). Liposomal formulations of finasteride have been found to be a successful method of drug delivery, with up to 5-fold higher concentrations of drug deposited in the skin of the scalp.
The 3D mesh traps the liposomes on the surface of the skin. This means that the drug is effectively stored outside the body on the scalp, which is hypothesised to maximize exposure to the follicles while minimizing side effects. A visual explanation of how this technology works can be found in this video. (Timestamped).
Figure
1 : How XYON SiloxysSystem Gel works(2) The silicone mesh and the liposomes containing finasteride sit on top of the skin with the majority of the drug stored outside the body on the surface of the scalp
(3) The liposomes are absorbed by the scalp in a controlled manner
(4) Eventually the liposome degrades or is broken down by the body, releasing the finasteride in the scalp and around the follicle.
Is XYON effective?
The developers of XYON have independently tested their products in two preclinical studies and one small-scale clinical pharmacokinetic study. The results of these studies have not been published however the studies and their results are explained in this video here. A more in-depth explanation can be found here on the XYON website.
In the first study, the researchers compared the absorption rate of five topical formulations using a model designed to replicate human skin. Despite its comparatively high percentage of 2.5%, the SiloxysSystem™ Gel had a similar or lower systemic absorption than 0.1% formulations.
In a follow-up study using the same model, the researchers assessed skin retention of the same five topical formulations and found that SiloxysSystem™ Gel showed a 10-20x greater skin retention. In short, these two studies appear to back the developer’s claims that SiloxysSystem™ used in XYON maximizes exposure to the follicle while reducing the risk of systemic side effects.
The third study performed was a pharmacokinetics study in which 7 participants with male pattern hair loss were given 2.5% Topical Finasteride with SiloxysSystem™ for one month. Compared to patients receiving 1mg oral finasteride, patients treated with XYON had a 12 times lower serum concentration of finasteride. Patients also had 45% higher DHT levels compared to those on oral finasteride. N.B. This was not a head-to-head study and instead used FDA data for Propecia 1mg for comparison.
In summary, these results appear to support the developer's claims that XYON has reduced absorption into the bloodstream and does not affect the levels of DHT which could lead to reduced side effects.
However, there are some important caveats to note. None of these studies has been published which means that it is impossible to assess the study design and the potential for bias, although the creators of XYON say that these tests were performed by independent labs. In the case of the clinical study, it was a very small trial involving only 7 participants. To make any concrete conclusions on the pharmacokinetics of XYON and its effects on DHT levels, a larger-scale study is needed. Interestingly, the lab compared the performance of XYON against oral finasteride (Propecia), rather than other topical formulations.
Finally, and most importantly, none of the studies assessed the effectiveness of XYON in reducing hair loss but how the drug behaves when applied to the skin and the potential for side effects. Dr Hasson from XYON Health reports that he has around 600-700 patients on XYON in his clinic, with positive results in the crown and front areas of the scalp within 3 months though this data has not been published.
How to use the product?
XYON is designed for daily topical use on the scalp. It is not designed for use in other areas of the body such as the beard and the developers advise against this.
XYON comes in a bottle with a pump-top dispenser. To release the gel onto the palm, squeeze the pump. Using fingertips, spread the gel onto the area of the scalp you wish to treat. One squeeze of the pump releases approximately 1ml of XYON however consumer complaints about the inconsistency of pumping out 1ml have been noted on hair loss forums
By contrast, liquid formulations of topical finasteride utilise a dropper that allows for precise measurements of 1ml of solution and targeted application to the area of the scalp where treatment is needed.
As XYON is a gel-based product, there is a possibility that it would be harder to apply than a liquid formulation for those with thicker hair. However, a recent review of topical finasteride for androgenetic alopecia found that no study has directly compared whether a gel or liquid penetrates the scalp better.
Shelf life of the product and how to store it?
The shelf life of the XYON is 6 months. It is recommended to be stored at room temperature.
Cost of the product.
XYON is priced at $297 on a three-month subscription ($99/month). The high cost of XYON may reflect the high concentration of finasteride in the product and the proprietary technology used in the drug delivery system. The amount of finasteride in XYON is 20 times that of 0.1% liquid topical solution. XYON may utilise a higher concentration of finasteride because of drug wastage, i.e., the majority of the finasteride isn’t released from the liposome/silicone mesh or absorbed by the skin.
Who can buy the product?
XYON is only available for customers in Canada and the USA after an online consultation with a specialist physician through XYON’s platform.
The technology behind XYON is designed to reduce the side effects but there are no published data on this. Data from XYON shows that systemic absorption is reduced compared to other formulations: Systemic DHT reduction is 31% in XYON compared to a 65% reduction with oral finasteride.
XYONs data suggest that the gel-based formulation reduces serum DHT levels, but to a lesser extent than oral finasteride. Therefore, those who are hypersensitive to finasteride may still experience side effects with XYON and people have reported this on online forums.
Topical finasteride solution is a popular treatment for hair loss. Most topical finasteride formulations including ours are in liquid form. We have finasteride at 0.1% (Dualgen-15 With PG Plus and Dualgen-15 NO PG Plus), 0.2% (Essengen-F) and 0.05% (Essengen-6 Plus) available in our store. It is also very easy to make your own 0.025% topical finasteride solution.
Dr Victor Hasson, the creator of XYON, is a renowned hair loss expert. When XYON health was launched in the middle of 2022, he already had hundreds of patients using SiloxysSystem™ gel topical finasteride, and many experienced positive results in the vertex area and frontline within 3 months of starting treatment.
There is no doubt the product works. XYON clinical studies have demonstrated that the product has lower systemic effects on DHT levels than oral finasteride thus reducing the risk of side effects for some.
Is it better than liquid topical finasteride at reducing side effects? We know that regular (non-gel-based) topical finasteride also reduces the potential for side effects when compared to oral forms of the drug. Ultimately, there will be significant variation between individuals. Some will still experience side effects with 0.1% topical finasteride. In this case, using a lower concentration such as 0.05% should help. Based on currently available data, liquid finasteride is at least as effective as XYON and other gel-based formulations. The biggest advantage of using liquid finasteride is the price.
XYON could be a new avenue to explore on your hair regrowth journey if you are concerned by the side effects of other finasteride formulations. It has an innovative and theoretically effective drug delivery technology behind it. Ultimately, it is worth remembering that the risk of systemic absorption and side effects can be reduced but not completely eliminated.
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compassion821
July 19, 2023I tried Xyon topical finasteride. They were boasting how their product will not go systemic, hence no side effects. Guess what? I tried Xyon for a mere 3 weeks and had to stop immediately due to a side effect! The side effect was much stronger than other topical finasteride I tried. But Xyon was nice enough to offer a full refund when I told them the reason I had discontinued with their product. Xyon, from my personal experience, goes just as systemic as any other.