While there is no “cure” for hair loss, there are many effective hair loss solutions for individuals suffering with androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness (MPB). The information below is an overview of some of today’s effective treatments. One should consult with one’s primary care doctor, dermatologist, and/or a qualified hair restoration surgeon prior to undergoing medical therapy or surgery for hair loss.
A very small minority of patients experience hair loss as a result of conditions unrelated to androgenetic alopecia (i.e. hormonal disorders, nutritional imbalances, etc). Some of the solutions discussed below may be inappropriate for such individuals.
FDA APPROVED
It is easier to prevent balding than it is to regrow hair from dormant follicles. Certain products are effective in slowing down the balding process, halting hair loss, and in some cases actually regrowing hair or coaxing thinning, miniaturized hair to grow thicker. The only FDA approved products for treating hair loss are finasteride (Propecia), minoxidil (Rogaine) and most recently, low light laser therapy (HairMax Laser Comb). Finasteride, which is taken orally, and minoxidil, which is applied topically to thinning areas of the scalp, work similarly in retarding hair loss and in some cases stimulating new hair growth. The laser comb works to thicken hairs and may sometimes stimulate new growth. Genetic hair loss is progressive, and hair loss sufferers will continue to lose hair unless they seek some form of preventive treatment.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical application and has been shown to promote hair growth in men and women. It may take several months to over a year to see visible improvement from the solution. The new hair is usually thinner and lighter, with most growth occurring in the crown area of the scalp. Occasional growth at the hairline has been observed. Skin irritation from the propylene glycol is the most commonly reported side effect. Those suffering from irritation or rash can have minoxidil compounded without the propylene glycol. If effective, patients should continue using minoxidil; stopping will result in the subsequent loss of hair grown or maintained while using the treatment.
Finasteride
Finasteride (Propecia) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor and was originally approved by the FDA for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finasteride blocks the production of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of free testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the male hormone most responsible for hair loss. In clinical studies, finasteride, like minoxidil , was shown to work best in regrowing/maintaining hair in the crown.
Finasteride is usually only prescribed for men and should not be used by pregnant women, as there is a risk of birth defects in male fetuses. Additionally, studies have shown that finasteride is ineffective for treating hair loss in women.
Low Light Laser Therapy
The recently FDA approved laser comb delivers low light laser therapy to the scalp, which has been shown in studies to improve the quality of hair and, in a few cases, stimulate new hair growth. This type of hair loss treatment is safe for both men and women. The laser comb should be used for ten to fifteen minutes three times a week. Discontinuation of laser treatment will result in the loss of any positive progress. It should be noted that while low light laser therapy is not harmful to the scalp, its overall efficacy remains controversial.
ANTIANDROGENS
Antiandrogens block DHT from binding with hair follicles. While Finasteride is the only FDA approved oral medication to treat hair loss, the following treatments may also be considerations for preventive hair loss therapy.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride (Avortart) is an oral medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The drug is a dual-inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase types 1 and 2, the enzymes responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. The therapy is reportedly effective in combating hair loss and, while not yet FDA approved, may be prescribed “off-label” to treat male pattern baldness.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone acts as an antiandrogen, although it is often used as a diuretic. It can be used in treating hair loss in both men and women. In women, it is primarily administered orally, while the recommended application for men is topical.
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is an herb. Some studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective antiandrogen. It acts similarly to finasteride and may be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
TOPICAL
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is a synthetic antifungal and the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo. Nizoral is commonly used to prevent and treat skin and fungal infections, most commonly dandruff.
Ketoconazole has mild anti-androgenic properties, with promising potential for slowing the balding process. Ketoconazole shampoo can be used three times a week in place of or in conjunction with minoxidil.
Copper peptides
Copper peptides are applied topically, usually in shampoo, and shorten the resting phase of hairs. The result is more growing hair follicles on the scalp at a given time.
Tricomin products, based on copper peptides, were shown in limited studies to produce results similar to minoxidil solutions.
SURGICAL
Hair Transplantation
Hair Transplantation involves surgically relocating hair follicles from the back and sides of the head to the bald or thinning areas. The transplanted hair follicles will typically grow for a lifetime because they are harvested from the donor area and are genetically resistant to the causes of hair loss. In recent years hair transplantation techniques have evolved from the crude practice of using large “plug” grafts to the modern practice of transplanting large numbers of microscopically prepared hair groupings containing between 1 to 4 hairs.
Since hair naturally grows in "follicular units" of 1 to 4 hairs, the most advanced techniques transplant only these discrete groupings. As a result, modern hair transplantation can deliver undetectable surgical results in the right hands. The procedure, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), offers improved naturalness over other methods and is a highly effective hair loss treatment for proper candidates.
(text taken from
www.hairlossconnection.com)
