Mane & Steel · Increasing Your Dose

02 — Where You Fit

Read Your Presentation.
Then Find Your Protocol.

Age and degree of hair loss are the two most reliable indicators for dosing. These are general clinical guidelines — your physician reviews your specific photos and history and makes the final determination.

18–30

Early-Onset · Active Progression · Norwood 1–3

Likely range: 0.5mg — 1.5mg

Early-onset androgenetic alopecia tends to be aggressive. If you are in your 20s and already showing a receding hairline, crown thinning, or a documented family pattern of early loss, getting ahead of it now is the right call. Most men in this group start at 0.5mg. Men presenting with a Norwood 2 or 3 and clear active progression may be appropriate candidates for 1.0mg as a starting dose, based on physician review of their photos and history. If you are unsure where you fall, email us at info@maneandsteel.com with your photos and we will help guide you.

30+

Preservation Mode · Slower Progression · Hold The Line

Likely range: 0.5mg — 1.0mg

Hair loss after 30 tends to progress more slowly. The goal is long-term stabilization, not reversal. 0.5mg delivers ~92% serum DHT suppression — more than finasteride at any dose — and that is enough for the vast majority of men in this group. Men who want to go higher can, and some do. Where it makes sense, many men in this group pair medication with a hair transplant to restore what has already been lost while medication holds the line going forward.

Not Sure Which Dose Fits You? Start Here.+

If you have never taken a DHT blocker: 0.5mg is the recommended starting point for most men. It is highly effective, well-tolerated, and gives your physician a clean baseline. After 90 days, your physician reviews your response and you decide together whether to stay or move up.

If you are young with active, significant loss: describe your situation at intake — your age, how long you have been losing, and what your hairline looks like today. If a higher starting dose is appropriate based on your physician's review, they will let you know. You are not locked into 0.5mg if your clinical picture calls for something stronger.

If you have already been on dutasteride or finasteride: disclose that at intake. Your prior dose, duration, and any side effects you experienced all factor into your starting dose with us. You do not restart from scratch — you pick up at the right point for your history.

Still unsure? Email info@maneandsteel.com with your photos and a brief description of your situation. Our team will review it and connect you with a physician to help figure out the right starting point before you purchase anything.

These are clinical guidelines informed by published research. Your prescribing physician makes the final determination based on your individual health history and presentation.

If You Experience Side Effects — What To Do+

Hold, do not drop. If you notice mild side effects after a dose change, give your body a few weeks to adjust before making any changes. Dropping your dose immediately can cause another hormone swing that prolongs or restarts the symptoms you are trying to shake.

Reach out to your physician. Send a message through your account. Your physician will advise on whether to hold, adjust, or continue. There is never pressure to push through something that does not feel right.

If symptoms are significant: your physician may recommend stepping down. Everything is gradual in both directions — stopping cold is never the recommendation.

Always contact your physician about any side effect that concerns you. Seek immediate care for anything severe.

03 — Protocols

Read The Protocols.
See Where You Fit.

These protocols describe the clinical presentation each dose is appropriate for. Read them, identify where your situation fits, and proceed from there. Not sure? Email info@maneandsteel.com before you purchase — our team will help guide you and pass your information to your physician. Pricing adjusts with your dose — see the Treatments page for current pricing at each tier.

92%

Serum DHT suppression at 0.5mg

The recommended starting dose. Already more than finasteride at any dose. Many men — especially those with a strong baseline — stay here long-term.

94%

Serum DHT suppression at 1.0mg

The next step up. A good fit for men who have been on 0.5mg and want deeper suppression, or who present with active early loss and want to start stronger.

96%

Serum DHT suppression at 1.5mg

Near-complete systemic and scalp suppression (65% scalp DHT). Best suited for men with early-onset progressive loss who want maximum protection from the start.

Group A

Never Been On Dutasteride or Finasteride

0.5mg is the recommended starting point for men who have never taken a DHT blocker. It is highly effective, well-tolerated, and gives your physician a clean baseline to evaluate. If your presentation suggests a higher dose is appropriate, your physician will discuss that with you after reviewing your intake and photos.

A1Recommended Start — 0.5mg

Fits: most new patients — any age — preservation focus

At IntakeComplete your health history and upload photos of your hairline and crown. Note your family history and how long you have been noticing loss. Your physician reviews all of this before your order is dispensed.

0.5mg

Start here → Maintain

0.5mg delivers ~92% serum DHT suppression at steady state — more than finasteride at any dose. For men with a solid baseline who want to stay ahead of loss, this is often the only dose they ever need. At your 90-day check-in your physician reviews your photos and response. If you want to discuss going higher at that point, that is the right time for that conversation.

Start Dutasteride One™

A2Early-Onset Presentation — 1.0mg or 1.5mg

Fits: 18–30, Norwood 2–3, active progressive loss

At IntakeDescribe your age, how long you have been losing, and your family history. Upload photos of your hairline and crown. Your physician reviews your presentation and clears you for the appropriate starting dose — 0.5mg, 1.0mg, or 1.5mg. All three are available to purchase.

0.5mg

Option A → ~90 days

→

1.0mg

Option B → ~90 days

→

1.5mg

Option C → Maintain

If you are in your late teens or 20s and already showing a Norwood 2 or 3, active crown recession, or a strong family pattern of early aggressive loss, starting higher makes clinical sense. All three doses are available — your physician reviews your photos and intake and clears your starting point. Side effect profile at all three doses is low and well-documented. Most men in this group who want maximum protection start at 1.0mg or 1.5mg and hold for ~90 days before evaluating. If you are unsure which to start at, email info@maneandsteel.com with your photos and we will help guide you.

View Doses & Pricing Email Us Your Photos

Group B

Already On Finasteride or Dutasteride

You are currently taking finasteride or dutasteride somewhere else. You do not need to restart from scratch. Disclose your prior dose at intake and your physician sets your starting point with us. All three doses — 0.5mg, 1.0mg, and 1.5mg — are available based on your history.

B1Switching From Finasteride → Dutasteride

Switch: Next day, no washout needed

At IntakeLet us know how long you have been on finasteride and at what dose. No paperwork needed. Your physician confirms your starting dutasteride dose based on your history and photos.

Fin 1mg

Last dose

→

Dut 0.5mg

Start here

→

1.0 / 1.5mg

~90 days, when ready

No washout required — take your last finasteride dose and start dutasteride the next day. Dutasteride blocks both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase where finasteride only blocks Type II. Serum DHT suppression jumps from ~65% to ~92% immediately at the 0.5mg starting dose. Your finasteride history tells your physician you tolerate DHT suppression well, which factors into whether starting higher makes sense for you.

Switch to Dutasteride One™

B2Already On Dutasteride 0.5mg → Move to 1.0mg or 1.5mg

Starting point: 1.0mg or 1.5mg based on physician review

At IntakeTell us you have been on 0.5mg and for how long. Your physician reviews your history and photos and clears you for 1.0mg or 1.5mg depending on your presentation and goals. Both are available.

0.5mg

Prior dose — attested at intake

→

1.0mg

Option A → ~90 days

→

1.5mg

Option B → Maintain

You have already been on 0.5mg — you are not starting over. Your physician reviews your current status and clears you for 1.0mg or 1.5mg at intake. If you want to go straight to 1.5mg and your physician agrees based on your presentation, that is available. We meet you where you are. The 90-day guideline applies going forward from whatever dose you start at with us.

View Doses & Pricing

B3Already On Dutasteride 1.0mg → Move to 1.5mg

Time to target: ~90 days from now

At IntakeTell us you have been on 1.0mg and for how long. Your physician confirms your history and clears you for 1.5mg. No paperwork required — you attest to your prior dose at intake.

1.0mg

Prior dose — attested at intake

→

1.5mg

Physician confirmed → Maintain

You have completed time at 1.0mg and are ready for 1.5mg — 96% serum DHT suppression and 65% scalp DHT suppression. Disclose your prior dose at intake, your physician clears you, and your first order ships at 1.5mg. Most men who reach 1.5mg stay here long-term. 90-day check-in with photos to confirm response.

View Doses & Pricing

Group C — Advanced Escalation

Physician Contact Required

Beyond 1.5mg — By Request Only

2.0mg and 2.5mg are not available for self-selection. These doses are reserved for a small subset of patients — typically men under 30 with aggressive early-onset androgenetic alopecia who have completed at least one full 90-day cycle at 1.5mg and are still experiencing active progression. To be considered for this protocol, you must contact us directly. Your physician reviews your case, photos, and history before any escalation at this level is authorized.

C1 1.5mg → 2.0mg

Physician Contact Required

Required You must have completed a minimum of 90 days at 1.5mg with documented active progression before this dose can be considered. Email info@maneandsteel.com with your photos and current protocol. Your physician reviews your case and determines whether escalation is appropriate. This dose cannot be self-selected or purchased directly.

1.5mg

90+ days confirmed

→

2.0mg

Physician authorized

2.0mg functions as a bridge tier between 1.5mg and the maximum 2.5mg dose. Serum DHT suppression climbs to approximately 95%. Each step is held ~90 days with physician check-in and progress photos before any further escalation is considered.

Email Us to Request Book a Call

C2 2.0mg → 2.5mg — Maximum Dose

Physician Contact Required

Required Must have completed 90 days at 2.0mg with physician confirmation of continued active progression. Direct physician authorization required at this tier. Email info@maneandsteel.com or book a call before proceeding. Annual lab check is recommended at this dose.

2.0mg

90+ days confirmed

→

2.5mg

Maximum dose

2.5mg is the highest-evidence dose — proven superior to finasteride 5mg in Olsen 2006, with 96% serum DHT suppression and 79% scalp DHT suppression. Reserved for aggressive early-onset cases where all prior tiers have been insufficient. Most men never need to reach this dose. Approximately 13% of men at this dose report a libido dip — most do not, and it is reversible. Annual labs recommended.

Maximum studied dose. This is not a starting point and is not available for self-selection under any circumstances. Your full titration history must be on file with your Mane & Steel physician before this prescription can be written.

Email Us to Request Book a Call

Switching From Another Provider

We Make It Simple.

Whether you have been on dutasteride through another telehealth company, got it prescribed overseas, or are moving to Mane & Steel for better pricing or a more rigorous protocol — transferring is easy. You do not need to restart from 0.5mg and you do not need paperwork. Tell us your situation at intake and your physician takes it from there.

1Disclose your treatment history. What you have been on, how long, how it has been going. You attest to this at intake as part of your health history.

2Upload a few photos. Hairline and crown. Helps your physician confirm your current status and flag anything worth discussing.

3Physician review. Your Mane & Steel physician reviews your intake and sets your dose. Usually happens within 24 hours.

4Order ships. You pick up where you left off — no gap in treatment, no restarting from scratch.

Oral Minoxidil · The Regrowth Engine

Vasodilation. Active Regrowth. Two Doses.

Where dutasteride stops DHT, oral minoxidil drives active regrowth by widening blood vessels and extending the hair's active growth phase. We offer two doses: 2.5mg is the standard starting dose for most men, and 5mg is the ceiling for those who want maximum regrowth. Studies show 2.5mg often delivers results comparable to 5mg with fewer side effects — for most men, 2.5mg is the destination.

M1Standard — 2.5mg

Start: Day 1

Good To KnowWatch for mild extra body or facial hair (most common), lightheadedness, or ankle swelling in the first few weeks. If anything is bothersome, you can cut the tablet to 1.25mg temporarily — most men adjust and return to the full dose within a few weeks.

2.5mg

Day 1 → Maintain

2.5mg is where most men start and stay. Near-maximal regrowth for the majority of patients, with a well-established tolerability profile. 90-day check-in with photos. If results are strong and you feel good, this is your long-term dose.

Start Oral Minoxidil

M2Maximum — 5mg

Best after: ~90 days stable at 2.5mg

Good To KnowMost men move to 5mg after seeing how 2.5mg works for them. Your physician can discuss at your 90-day check-in whether bumping up makes sense for your goals.

2.5mg

Working well

→

5mg

Maintain

For men who have been stable at 2.5mg and want to push for maximum regrowth. Higher doses increase the likelihood of extra body or facial hair and, less commonly, a faster resting heart rate. Most men do well at 2.5mg and never feel the need to go higher — but if you want to, it is a straightforward conversation with your physician.

View Oral Minoxidil