Hairloss PI

Posts Tagged ‘Propecia’

The long quest for an effective hair restorer entered the realms of folk medicine, quack pharmacy and even the magical. Indeed, the fact that men are willing to try unpleasant, expensive and, sometimes, frankly absurd traditional remedies underlines the impact that hair loss can have on self-esteem and quality of life.

Fortunately, recent studies show that modern drugs - such as finasteride and minoxidil - can either restore or prevent hair loss in male pattern baldness. For example, a recent study underscores finasteride's effectiveness in men with vertex male pattern hair loss. But what about frontal hair loss?

Finasteride specifically inhibits type II 5alpha-reductase. As a result, finasteride decreases serum and scalp dihydrotestosterone. And clinically this seems to restore hair.

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Before the introduction of cutting-edge hair loss medications like Rogaine and Propecia; before the development of state-of-the-art hair transplant surgery; the only available hair loss treatments were soaps, sprays and tonics pandered by the likes of questionable snake-oil salesmen to the embarrassed, balding masses.

Fortunately, along with today's wave of hair loss surgery options and prescription medications, newer, more effective hair loss shampoos, conditioners, foams and lotions have also emerged—to help manage receding hair lines on a day-to-day basis. But what makes today's hair loss shampoos and topicals any more effective than the mysterious hair loss potions of the past? To find out more about these treatments' active ingredients and how exactly they can assist with premature hair loss or thinning hair, we've compiled a list of five of today's most popular hair loss shampoos*.

Important Note: Before reading this list, please be aware that no shampoos currently available are FDA approved as a treatment for Male Pattern Baldness.  If a hair follicle has become inactive, no topical shampoo will be able to reverse that; what certain shampoos and treatments can do for hair loss patients is to cosmetically conceal the early signs of hair thinning.

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Whether you are male or female, if you have experienced thinning hair for whatever reason, you would at some point have  heard of an alleged hair loss cure-all generally known as "Nioxin".

Nioxin and its shampoo based products is however not a  medically recognised treatment for any form of hair loss, including Male Pattern Balding.

As of this writing, there are only three FDA approved treatments for Male Pattern Baldness, being (i) Minoxidil (commonly known as Rogaine), Finasteride (commonly known as Propecia), and Low Level Laser Therapy. All these treatments have been approved because they have been verified as having some effect (on most, but not all men) in reducing or halting the pace of Male Pattern hair loss, however they are not approved for hair regrowth, although some minimal regrowth has been observed with all three treatments.

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If you’ve have had the suspicion that you were going bald, you probably have had a strong need to figure out just what is “happening under the hood.” There is a sea of rumors floating out there that attempt to explain the “root” of the problem. After all, the great Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, thought that baldness could be cured by a mixture containing horseradish and pigeon droppings. The desire to have a simple solution -– particularly one that is within our control –- is understandable. But today, let’s debunk some of these myths and learn what the facts really are.

Myth #1

Genes for hair loss come only from the mother’s side of the family.

Fact: Although the inheritance from the mother’s side is slightly stronger, androgenetic hair loss (common baldness) can be inherited from the mother’s side of the family, the father’s side –- or both.

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A fresh study on baldness unveils that protein shakes might cause loss of scalp hair.

An Australian study conducted by renowned hair transplant surgeon Jennifer Martinick claims that protein shakes – widely used as a health supplement and weight loss aid – might lead to or exacerbate balding by building up particular chemicals in the body.

The month of August has been designated as hair loss awareness month by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Every year the AAD runs a public awareness campaign to educate people and to refute the hair loss myths that may delay millions from seeking diagnosis and treatment.

The public education campaign raises awareness about the signs of hereditary hair loss, a condition that affects 80 million American men and women.

True or false?

1) A man will lose his hair only if his grandfather on his mother’s side was bald.
2) Women rarely lose their hair.
3) The likelihood of hair loss varies by racial heritage or ethnicity.

All of these statements are false says the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The AAD wants to reach those men and women who look in the mirror every morning and overlook the initial signs of hereditary hair loss,” says dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. “Sometimes denial keeps them from seeking treatment. But often it’s a belief in common myths about hair loss that may cause them to wait months, or even years, before consulting their dermatologist – if they seek treatment at all.”

Three of the most common myths about hereditary hair loss are:

Myth #1: Hereditary hair loss is passed only from the mother’s side of the family.

Fact: Men and women should look at both sides of their family tree for relatives with hereditary hair loss. The condition can be inherited from their mother, their father, or from both parents.

Myth #2: Hereditary hair loss is rare among women.

Fact: In the United States, 30 million women—or one in four—experience hereditary hair loss. Less frequent causes for hair loss in women include stress, illness, medication, diet, and pregnancy. But 70 percent of women with thinning hair can attribute it to hereditary hair loss.

Myth #3: Prevalence of hereditary hair loss varies by ethnic or racial background.

Fact: Race neither increases nor decreases a person’s likelihood of experiencing hereditary hair loss. Hereditary hair loss affects all ethnicities.

About Hereditary Hair Loss and Treatment Options

Hereditary hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is marked by a progressive miniaturization of hair follicles, causing a shortening of the hair’s growth cycle. As the growth phase shortens, the hair becomes thinner and shorter. Eventually there is no growth at all. Because hereditary hair loss is gradual, the sooner treatment is started, the better the chances of results.

There are several different treatment options for men and women suffering from hereditary hair loss:

Minoxidil (Rogaine) topical solution works on hair follicles to reverse the shrinking process and stimulate new growth on the top of your scalp. It is sold over the counter and is FDA-approved for use by men and women. Minoxidil is the only hair regrowth ingredient approved by the FDA for use by women.

Finasteride, (Propecia) a pill taken orally, stimulates hair regrowth by blocking the formation of the active male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is FDA-approved for use by men and is available by prescription.

Hair transplantation involves removing healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplanting them to the bald areas.

More information about hair loss and treatment options is available online at the American Academy of Dermatology Web site, http://www.aad.org, or visit the American Hair Loss Association web site, http://www.americanhairloss.org/