Hair Loss Treatments - Assess the Differences

It is estimated that about 50% of women and more than 50% of men experience hair loss at some time. Treatment for hair loss seems to be more effective if you begin early, so it is in your best health interest to keep an eye out for hair loss. If you can pinpoint hair loss at the early stage, you will more than likely be happier with the results of your treatment.

1. Growth stimulants and Rogaine. Men and women both can purchase Rogaine over-the-counter at most pharmacies. The active component is minoxidil. Available in 2% and 5%, the application method for Rogaine is right on the scalp. Rogaine and growth stimulants in general do not stop hair loss in the way that other treatments do, focusing instead on encouraging growth, the treatment must be ongoing in order to create and retain hair regrowth. Side effects can include mild skin irritations or, rarely, heart rate fluctuations.

2. DHT inhibitors. Only for use by men at this time Propecia is an oral medication. It disrupts the behavior of a key testosterone that unites with 5-alpha reductase to form dihydro-testosterone, as a DHT inhibitor. Raised levels of DHT bind more with androgen receptors and lead to hair loss. Preventing the overabundance of DHT can bring hair loss to a halt and encourage regrowth, these DHT inhibitors.

3. Propecia has the disadvantage of taking about 6 months before seeing a positive effect. Similar to Rogaine, the Propecia effect will stop working if you quit using it. A lot of men do not have the patience to continue the treatment until they get results. It may be less effective in combating receding hair line than baldness toward the top of the head but the treatment can be quite effective. Anyone pregnant or who may be pregnant should not come in contact with Propecia.

4. Though effective dosage has not yet been determined, a natural product similar to Propecia, is Saw Palmetto which appears to prevent 5-alpha reductase from combining with testosterone to form DHT.

5. What are anti-androgens? The goal of treating with anti-androgens is to stop DHT binding with androgen receptors. A lot of anti-androgens are used all over the world, but they have not yet been approved by the FDA. Spironolactone is in the family of anti-androgens that are used for treating hair loss for females. To learn about the anti-androgen options available to you, you should talk to your doctor.

6. What are some other medical treatments? To provide additional power to combating hair loss, some anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Injections, including cortisone, among other kinds of creams and shampoos for topical treatment, can counter the inflammation that leads to hair loss. These methods are generally used along with another type of remedy. For follicles which are overburdened by DHT, antioxidant SODs (superoxide dismutase) can help. They can assist in preventing hair loss by removing a bit of the superoxide produced during the autoimmune response.

7. Surgery. Hair replacements are very promising indeed and have made great advancements. Methods of transplanting hair which entail moving and grafting tiny sections of the living scalp which are growing have become more advanced. However, there are newer techniques that consist of relocating single follicles - each on its own - which are less intrusive and have had wonderful results. The main thing is to locate an experienced surgeon and prepare to pay much more for this particular hair loss treatment than for the previously noted options.

8. In the foreseeable future – cloning of hair. This may happen in the not-too-distant future - we've all heard a lot about cloning in the past several years. The method of treatment would show itself as surgery where a follicle's stem cells create hair clones that will be implanted into the scalp.

The future for hair treating hair loss is looking ever better. Best options might involve a combined attack of hair loss in its different phases. The nature of your hair loss and prescription of the appropriate treatment would be determined by you and your doctor.