In recent years, medicine has made enormous strides in treating men for hair loss. With the arrival of the inhibitors 5-a-reductase inhibitors such as Propecia and the evolution of surgery for hair restoration for many is no longer inevitable, living with a significant loss of hair. For the first time in the history of mankind is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results. However, the vast majority of treatments for hair loss that are marketed today are still very doubtful.
The conclusion is that the vast majority of advertisements for “treatment” does not work for the prevention and treatment of hair loss. If a hair loss treatment is not FDA approved or recommended by medical associations hair, chances are you are losing valuable time and money. Remember that successful treatment of hair loss depends heavily on early intervention. It is essential to begin treatment with an effective product as soon as you notice the onset of hair loss.
The following two treatments have been clinically proven to successfully treat hair loss in men to varying degrees.
Finasteride, Proscar / Propecia
Finasteride is the generic name brand drugs Propecia and Proscar Finasteride was originally developed by Merck as a drug to treat enlarged prostate glands (Proscar). During the medical tests to men with prostate problems an intriguing side effect of hair growth was observed. Since finasteride had already been approved by the FDA to treat prostate enlargement in men, the Merck company decided to pursue the possibility of developing finasteride as the first pill to treat male pattern baldness.
On 22 December 1997, the FDA approved a dose of 1 mg of finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men (male pattern baldness). Propecia is the first drug in history to effectively treat male pattern baldness in the vast majority of men who use it.
How does Propeica / Finasteride?:
The success of Finasteride in treating hair loss is due to its ability to specifically inhibit Type II 5-alpha-reductace, the enzyme that converts testosterone into a more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The dose of 1 mg of finasteride can effectively lower DHT levels by 60% when taken daily. DHT is the shrinking or miniaturization the hair follicle, which eventually leads to baldness. This 60% reduction in DHT has been shown to halt the progression of hair loss in 86% of men who took the drug during clinical trials. 65% of trial participants experienced what was considered a substantial increase in hair growth.
At this point, the only effective medical treatment to stop the hair loss process is to reduce levels of DHT. The American Association recommends hair finasteride as first line of attack for all men interested in the treatment of male pattern baldness.
Minoxidil (Loniten)
Minoxidil (Loniten) was the first drug approved by FDA for treating male pattern baldness. For many years, minoxidill, in pill form, has been widely used to treat high blood pressure. Like finasteride, the researchers found a very interesting side effect of the drug. People taking the medication experienced a growth of hair in unexpected places and in their cheeks and the backs of their hands, some even grew hair on their forehead.
Some enterprising researchers had the idea that applying minoxidil topically, directly overhead, could help grow hair on bald areas. It did so in different patients depending on the extent of hair loss, but at the time was revolutionary.
While minoxidil has been clinically proven to slow the progression of hair loss and promote growth in some cases, most experts see it as a relatively ineffective drugs to combat hair loss. That minoxidil has no effect on the hormonal process of hair loss is positive, favorable or temporary effect and usually is somewhat disappointing in the long term results.
With that said, for the American Association of the hair is still the drug recommended for those who have not responded favorably to finasteride and for those who want to add another product to their regime.