Facts about Products for Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss treatments may be seen as difficult and complex. Often it is very expensive but whenever we are concerned about our image, price is not a problem. But, there are people that have a higher appeal for alternative methods. These products have the same effects, less side effects and are even affordable in cost. The difference between cost-effective products and fake or useless products can be observed here.

Here, we have analyzed some conventional methods that improve the hair’s condition. The most important aspect to understand is that you cannot completely treat hair conditions like male pattern baldness, but you can experience some good effects using certain conventional methods.

Minoxidil known also as Regaine is a topical method that is used to curb male pattern baldness. In UK the product is even licensed as a treatment to it but some specialists say that the effects are seen in only a small percentage of cases. Originally, it was launched in a tablet form, commercialized as a blood pressure drug. People who used Minoxidil for their high blood pressure condition also experienced that new hair grew on their head. The manufacturers then renamed the drug and changed its indication, selling it as an anti-hair loss medicine.

Regaine is commercialized as a 2% or 5% lotion, containing Minoxidil. It must be used daily by rubbing your scalp and doctors’ advice is to start with the 2% lotion. Also after three months you may extend it to the 5% lotion. In some countries, Regaine can be found in pharmacies and usually it doesn’t require a prescription despite its side effects. However, it is better to check with the pharmacist if Regaine is suited for your condition and you may use it only after his approval.

One major fact is that Regaine cannot work miracles and surveys proved that less than one third of men using it actually experience any hair growth. Another third of those who use it may experience a slow re-growth while the rest of them may experience little or no results. The only good effect of Regaine shared by an increased number of men is that it stops hair fall. Another big disadvantage is that you will have to wait for up to four months in order to notice any effect.

Finasteride also known as Propecia is a male pattern baldness solution also licensed in the UK but available only with a private prescription. It is part of a bigger class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In theory, finasteride should inhibit the 5-alpha reductase enzyme which is responsible with the conversion of testosterone into DHT. By inhibiting this enzyme, finasteride should also stop hair loss. But in numerous cases, this method is still considered to be inefficient.  This is mainly because finasteride was originally designed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, in which the prostate gland enlarges because of DHT.

The similarity between these two conditions, hair loss and BPH, inspired researchers to use finasteride in both cases. There are no studies comparing Minoxidil and finasteride but data suggests that these two products may have similar effects when dealing with hair loss. The difference is that finasteride can be the cause of some harmful side effects like impotence, reduced sexual performance, low semen volume, infertility and or a lack of sexual desire.

The anti androgen therapy is another way of reducing male pattern baldness. This therapy uses a direct method of blocking the action of the DHT hormone with the help of a large variety of hormonal drugs. These drugs have some similarities with the female hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives. Doctors’ advice is to use them only under the strict guidance of a hormone specialist (endocrinologist).