Male Baldness Treatments
There has been tremendous stride in the treatment of men’s hair loss due to medicine. There is reduction in the hair loss due to medicines like 5-alpha-reductace inhibitor such as propecia and surgical hair restoration. It is now possible to stop or reduce hair loss and this hair loss can be replaced with the surgery. There are many other treatments of hair loss available in the market but not all these treatments are effective.
You might have seen lots of advertisements of the hair loss treatments but most of these advertised medicines are not effective and you can not prevent hair loss. You are simply wasting your time and money if the treatment is not approved from FDA or American Hair Loss Association. The hair loss treatment very much depends on the early intervention and you should start treatment as soon you notice the onset of hair loss. You can use following two treatments which are clinically approved for men hair loss treatment.
Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
The finasteride which is generic name of the Proscar and Propecia was initially used for the treatment of enlarged prostate glands. The side effects of the hair growth were studied when it was used for prostate problems. Then it was developed as the first pill for the treatment of the male pattern baldness and it was used with the Minoxidil which was already in the market. One mg of finasteride was approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men by FDA in 1997.
How Finasteride Works
Finasteride is very successful in hair rising due to stability to specifically inhibit 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into more potent androgen. The DHT level is reduced in the scalp when one mg of propecia is taken daily. The hair follicle are miniaturized by the DHT which eventually leads to baldness. The hair loss is reduced in 86% of men by 60% reduction in DHT. You can reduce the hair loss by reducing the DHT level and finasteride is very good in reducing DHT level.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
The male pattern baldness can be treated with the minoxidil which was first drug approved by the FDA. The pill form of minoxidil was used for the treatment of high blood pressure. The side effects of the hair growth were discovered and this medication was started for the treatment of hair loss but hairs started grow in unexpected places. The hair may grow if you apply minoxidil directly on the balding areas. Its effect is different in different people depending on the extent of hair loss.
The moinoxidil is good is slowing down hair loss and regrows some hair and it is effective drug against hair loss. The positive effects are at the best as there is no effect of this medication on the hormonal process of hair loss. This drug is recommended by the American hair Loss Association if finasteride treatment is not effective. It is not recommended as the first line of attack for men with male pattern baldness but still is recognized as very effective treatment for people.