If you already know that you have been experiencing hair loss, you are probably wondering what hair loss treatment is the most effective. What hair loss treatments are even worth trying? Here you will find a detailed guide on the types of hair loss treatments that are currently available for you.

Rogaine Topical Minoxidil

If you are looking for an effective hair loss treatment to try, you should consider using Topical Minoxidil Rogaine. Rogaine was originally used to treat high blood pressure, but was then found to treat hair growth, particularly in the forehead area. It men, Rogaine is used for hair loss treatment for the bald spot in male pattern baldness. In women, it is used to treat diffuse hair loss or thinning hair. Rogaine needs to be applied to the scalp at least twice daily for a minimum of four months in order to be effective. When applied to the scalp, Rogaine needs to be left there for at least four hours. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not use Rogaine. The side effects that may occur with Rogaine include skin irritation, skin itching, hives, swelling of the skin, and skin sensitivity.

Finasteride

Finasteride along with similar medications, such as Propecia and Proscar, are currently only used as a hair loss treatment for men with male pattern hair loss. These hair loss treatments work by inhibiting an enzyme, which ultimately will reduce the amount of DHT that is naturally produced by the body. When you use these hair loss treatment medications, you will no lose anymore hair. Many times, using these medications will result in the growth of new hair. If you are a man that is experiencing hair loss due to male pattern hair loss, chances are that the most effective hair loss treatment for you is a drug such as Finasteride, Propecia, and Proscar.

Hair Transplant as Hair Loss Treatment

One of your choices for a hair loss treatment is to get a hair transplant. In hair transplantation surgery, a piece of skin which contains hair follicles is removed from the back and sides of the head. They are extracted from surrounding tissue, and are then back into the balding areas of the head. They will continue to grow after they are reinserted. After the hair transplantation surgery, you will then need to use a drug such as Propecia to make sure that you will not lose anymore hair and to possibly increase hair growth in the scalp.

As you can see, there are many available options for you when it comes to hair loss treatments.

On December 22, 1997, the FDA finally approved Propecia for treating hair loss in male candidates. This approval made Propecia the first FDA approved treatment for male hair loss that comes in pill form. The basics of Propecia are as follows:

The active ingredient that is causing the hair regrowth in Propecia is finasteride. Finasteride was first approved and used in 1992 as Proscar. Proscar is a treatment used for prostate enlargement. Proscar helps suppress the formation of DHT which is the hormone thought to cause the increase in size. By treating an enlarged prostate with Proscar, the need for surgery was reduced.

There is 1 mg of finasteride in Propecia (for the purpose of hair growth) and 5 mg in Proscar (for treating prostrate enlargement). While treating patients for prostate enlargement, it was noticed that their was some regrowth of hair in areas of male pattern hair loss.

Being a little tongue in cheek. Its no comfort to know that the side effects of one treatment become the basis of treatment in another.

In further studies, 1 mg of finasteride and demonstrated hair growth in male pattern hair loss. The number of hairs (I’m not sure if it was 4 or 6 hairs, just kidding) increased in the anterior midscalp and vertex.

Patient feed back showed that there was in fact more hair regrowth with the finasteride treatment versus the sugar pill. Side effects were infrequent (it was not stated exactly what infrequent meant) and were related to sexual function.

That’s fantastic! So infrequently, does that mean that I will attract more of the opposite sex and then not be able to do anything with that? I’m just saying!

Propecia has not and will not be marketed for women because it causes birth defects, and the safety and amounts needed have not been established in women.

But its o.k. apparently for us men because we are disposable and don’t give birth. Any time I see a chemical that is not advised for women because it can cause birth defects, I just have to feel that male or not, there is something going on that shouldn’t be.

The FDA’s Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee sat down and had a chat about Propecia. The committee offered labeling suggestions in the context of an overall generally favorable discussion. Merck & Co. of West Point, Pa., produces both Proscar and Propecia.

We all know Merck & Co. track record with lawsuits. Vioxx and the osteoporosis drug Fosamax are the first that come to mind. Almost seems to make about as much sense as trusting Exxon to handle your neighborhood environmental project.

Make sure that when you start seeking treatments for hairloss and male pattern baldness that you weigh the pro’s of hair regrowth with the possible health concern cons.

Have you heard of Finasteride? Well it is the key behind stopping and re-growing hair for men who have male pattern baldness (MPB).

It was first used to help men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostrate. The help came in the form of improved urination, or a more uniform urination pattern.

When used for treating MPB it was found to improve the hair growth in 2 out of 3 men who took the pill. The men who did not take the pill actually lost hair.

So what is Finasteride, how does it work, and who should use it?

What Is Finasteride? Finasteride is a synthetic anti-androgen. An anti-androgen is a hormone that is capable of stopping the biological effects of the male hormone testosterone. It was approved in 1992 to help men with BPH. In 1997 it was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for use by men to treat MPB.

How Does It Work? This synthetic drug actually acts on the enzyme, 5 alpha reductase, by preventing it from converting testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

DHT is the culprit hormone that causes MPB and FPB. It does this by attaching itself to the hair follicle. In doing this, it stops the flow of nutrients to not only the follicle but also the hair strand. Eventually the hair strand will fall out and the follicle will wither and die.

By preventing the formation of DHT, the hair follicle continues to get nutrients and will continue to produce hair. This action stops MPB and will actually help in re-growing hair.

Who Should Use It? In a study, it was shown to be effective in stopping hair loss in men 42% of the time. And in the same study, 48% of men have been shown to actually re-grow hair. Only men should use Finasteride since it has been found to produce birth defects. Doctors may prescribe Finasteride to women, but only after effective birth control measures have been put in place.

Conclusion – Finasteride can be found under the product name Propecia. It has been approved by the FDA for use by men. Women may use it, but it should be done under a doctor’s care.

Other FDA approved hair loss products that both men and women can use is Minoxidil. Men may use it at 5% solution strength, while women are cleared to use the 2% solution strength.

No matter which one you use, you should consider taking saw palmetto. This is an herbal supplement that helps regulate DHT.

Minoxidil and finasteride are two excellent options for men and women who want to do something about their hair loss. These are two of the most widely available hair loss medications and have been proven to be effective at preventing further balding and even re-growing hair.

The main difference between minoxidil and finasteride is the application process. Minoxidil is sold as a liquid solution that must be applied directly to the scalp in the area of hair loss. Finasteride is an oral tablet.

Tips on Using Minoxidil – Men:

Minoxidil was the first FDA approved medication for the treatment of hair loss. Minoxidil is a topical solution that is applied directly to the scalp. It can now be purchased without a prescription and in generic formulations in concentrations of 5% (for men) and 2% (for women). The exact mechanism by which minoxidil works is not known, but the drug is felt to increase the duration of the hair follicle growth cycle (called anagen), improving the length and thickness of miniaturized follicles. Minoxidil solution comes in a generic formulation and can be purchased over the counter. The foam is available in brand-name only.

Minoxidil only works where you apply it. Apply it to all areas that are thinning.

:: Minoxidil can work anywhere there is miniaturized hair (where the area is not totally bald)
:: Minoxidil will work in the front part of the scalp and temples if these areas are just starting to thin – so it is important to apply it to the front part of your scalp and hairline if you are thinning in these areas.

Minoxidil must be applied to the scalp to work – it doesn’t work on the hair per se.

:: Minoxidil 5% solution is the most effective if you have some hair, as the solution will be easier to apply to the scalp.
:: If the 5% solution is irritating to your scalp, try the 5% Foam which does not contain propylene glycol, the most common irritant.
:: If the 5% solution is too greasy and you find you are not using it, switch to the foam.

Although the minoxidil works best when used twice a day, using it once a day will also be effective (and better than not using it at all).

:: Many patients find applying the medication once a day at bedtime to be the most convenient way to use it.
:: When using minoxidil once a day, use at least double the recommended dose, so that it will be applied to the entire area of thinning.

Minoxidil can be applied to damp scalp when you first get out of the shower and this can make grooming easier.

For minoxidil to be effective it must be used continually and regularly. Do not stop and start it. You may experience shedding during the first 3-6 months of treatment. This generally is an indication that the medication is working, so unless you are having side effects, do not stop the medication. If you do stop the medication, you will lose all of its benefits (although you will not be any worse off than if you had never used it).

Minoxidil works best when used with finasteride. Of the two medications, finasteride is more effective.

Tips for Women Using Minoxidil – Women:

Minoxidil solution is available in a brand name and a generic formulation and can be purchased over the counter. The foam is still available in brand only.

Minoxidil is generally prescribed as a 2% solution for women to be used twice a day. If twice a day is inconvenient, then use the 5% men’s formulation just once a day.

Minoxidil can cause increased facial hair. Although the 5% is more likely than the 2% to cause this, when the 5% is used one a day, the side effects seem to be about the same.

Minoxidil only works where you apply it. Apply it to all areas that are thinning.

:: Minoxidil can work anywhere there is miniaturized hair (where the area is not totally bald).
:: Minoxidil will work in the front part of the scalp and temples if these areas are just starting to thin.

Minoxidil must be applied to the scalp to work – it doesn’t work on the hair per se.

:: Minoxidil solution is the most effective if you have some hair, as the solution will be easier to apply to the scalp.
:: If the solution is irritating to your scalp, try the Foam which does not contain propylene glycol, the most common irritant.
:: If the solution is too greasy and you find you are not using it, switch to the foam.

Tips on Using Finasteride:

Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is caused by the effects of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible hair follicles that are present mainly in the front, top, and crown of the scalp (rather than the back and sides).

Finasteride causes a significant drop in both scalp and blood levels of DHT and its effect is felt to be related to both of these factors. Finasteride 1-mg/day decreases serum DHT levels by almost 70%. Finasteride is a prescription oral medication that is now generic (in the 5mg dose). This formulation is just as effective as the brand name version and is about 1/3 the cost.

The general starting dose of finasteride for hair loss is 1mg a day. For this dose, you can either take one 1mg brand name tablet or ¼ of a 5mg tablet of generic finasteride each day. Your doctor may increase the dose over time, based on your response to the medication.

If you chose to use the generic medication, a pill-cutter can be purchased from any pharmacy for a few dollars. Please cut only two pills at a time.

Finasteride does not have to be cut into equal parts to be effective. Just cut it into the recommended of pieces and take one piece each day.

Finasteride can also be taken any time of the day without regard to food or other medications.

You may experience shedding during the first 3-6 months of treatment. This generally is an indication that the medication is working. Do not stop the medication if you see shedding.

It takes up to a full year to see the effects of finasteride, so be patient.

Common Misconceptions about Finasteride -

Myth: Women can’t touch the medication.
Fact: Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.
Myth: It only works in the crown.
Fact: It potentially works any where on the scalp where there is some hair, even in the front of the scalp.
Myth: Once you start it you must take it for ever.
Fact: You can stop the medication any time you want – you just lose its benefits when one stops.
Myth: Finasteride lowers testosterone
Fact: The medication, on average, causes a rise in serum testosterone levels by 9%.
Myth: The sexual side effects are frequent and irreversible.
Fact: The sexual side effects occur in 2% and are reversible when the medication is stopped.
Myth: Finasteride causes birth defects if a man takes it when his wife is pregnant.
Fact: Exposure of pregnant women to semen from men treated with finasteride poses no risk to the fetus.
Myth: Brand name finasteride was originally a prostate medication that was found to prevent hair loss.
Fact: Any kind of finasteride is not a prostate medication that was by chance noted to have a side effect of hair growth, it is a medication that was known since its discovery that it could grow hair.

Of course, in some advanced cases of hair loss and balding, medication is not an effective treatment option. Individuals in these cases are often candidates for receiving a hair transplant or other forms of hair restoration surgery.

Before starting to take the hair loss drug Finasteride (also known by brand names Propecia and Finpecia) you owe it to yourself to do your homework on the potential implications for your health.

Drugs should never been consumed without doing your own due diligence. The recent drug related deaths of Michael Jackson and Heath Ledger have made more people aware of the dangers of prescription drug use.

To assess the risks associated with taking Finasteride, including Finasteride side effects you should first examine the clinical trial results:

Phase III Trials: The FDA (Federal Drug Agency) assesses the safety of drugs through several separate obligatory phases of clinical trials that all pharmaceutical companies must go through before they are allowed to market a drug. The results of the third of these trials, for a longer duration and with a larger volume of people, is your first stop because it has the most information. Google “phase III trial results propecia” to find this information.
Phase IV Trials: Some drugs are put through a fourth phase of trials by the pharmaceutical companies. This is not obligatory, but the companies do this to gather more evidence to use in their marketing of the drugs. Merck put Propecia (its brand name for Finasteride) through a 5 year clinical phase IV trial with the results published in 2001. This is one of the longest clinical trials undergone in the market. Google “5 year trial results propecia” to find this information.

When reviewing these trial results take careful note of the incidence of side effects that people experience and what these are. These range from testicular pain to decrease in sexual desire, to problems with erection and decrease in semen volume ejaculated.

You have at this stage reviewed all of the professional trial safety evidence on Finasteride. However, you must not stop there, as there is other, less well controlled information out there that you should take into consideration. The Phase III and Phase IV trials provide you with short term evidence on the drug’s safety.

However they don’t provide you with long term evidence on its safety. Many men have now taken the drug for 10 years or more. This length of time is beyond the controls, and drugs can have longer term implications for your health that are not revealed in the short term.

To assess the longer term risks you should search out evidence from:

Forums of ex-finasteride users: There are a number of forums where groups of men who used the Finasteride previously discuss their situations and opinions. It should be noted that information from these sources is completely uncontrolled.Nonetheless there is a growing volume of posts on forums about medical issues that ex users are starting to link to use of Finasteride. Google “Finasteride side effects forum” to find this information.
TV documentary on post-finasteride effects: A documentary was broadcast in Sweden in late 2009 on the permanent effects of Finasteride. Google “swedish documentary finasteride” for more information.

To date there is little long term quality information that you can use to judge the drugs safety. There are no longer term clinical trials underway so there is not likely to be a well controlled source of longer term safety available any time soon.

The growth of ex users who are not content with the drug and their interactions with the medical community will take some time to come to any conclusion as a result. Whether to prove that finasteride side effects can become permanent, or that it is safe or dangerous.