Hair Loss Treatments

Medications for Male Hair Loss

Two drugs that are commonly used for hair loss are: Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine). They are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and shown to have positive effects on balding.

Finasteride is a 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor. Its mechanism of action involves the blockage of 5-Alpha reductase enzyme from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is known to cause male pattern baldness. Finasteride is the main chemical ingredient found in drugs such as Propecia and Proscar. Finasteride (Proscar) is indicated for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). However, one of the side effects of this drug is hair growth. The drug has been shown to stop hair loss and in some cases reverse the male balding process. It may take up to three months to see efficacy. Once the drug is stopped, hair loss can occur a year later. Like any other drugs, Finasteride has its own side effects such as: impotence, reduced libido, ejaculation disorders, breast tenderness and enlargement, hypersensitivity reactions such s rashes and swelling. It is recommended that pregnant women should avoid contact with this drug as it may cause birth defects.

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical product which can be purchased at a local drug store. It works best in the crown area of the head. Two applications are needed on daily basis to maintain hair growth. Once the use of the drug is discontinued, hair growth may end. Minoxidil is also available in oral form which requires doctor’s prescription. The oral form is approved by FDA for the indication of high blood pressure. But since Minoxidil causes hair growth, it is used by some clinicians to treat hair loss. The side effects of this drug include: heart problems, sudden weight gain, chest pains, fainting, or rapid heartbeat.

Beware of Baldness Treatment Rip-offs

There are plenty of sharks around just waiting to get their hands on your money by offering false hope of a cure for baldness. Some may even guarantee success for their pills, potions, scalp cleansers and stimulators or diets. The words they use to describe their products often incorporate ambiguous phrases that basically say, if it does not work, you will be one of the unfortunate few.

Surgical Intervention for Male Hair Loss

In the case of hair transplants very small plugs of hair are taken from the side or back of the scalp and transplanted onto the bald patches. The procedure has improved over the years making it easier to achieve more natural looking results. The methods used today are continually improving and we now have procedures that produce amazing, natural hairlines and undetectable scarring.

Hair Transplantation is a common cosmetic surgery for men. Hair transplantation is a relatively recent technique where hair follicles are surgically removed from hair bearing areas and implanted into the bald areas of the scalp. Hair transplantation is carried out for male and female pattern baldness and can also be used for hair loss resulting from surgery, trauma or burns. A large percentage of hair extracted from the scalp is in groups of two or three hairs. Of the total number of hair extracted, only 15% of the hair is in groups of four or five hairs and some 15% of hair comes out as a single strand. These groups of hair are transplanted to mimic the natural pattern of hair growth as it emerges from the scalp.