Hair loss is a common condition that can be treated very easily and very effectively.  There are ointments, creams, surgeries and medications.

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There are two main medications that are very common for hair loss:  Rogaine and Propecia.

Rogaine:

Rogaine is a very well known hair loss product and one of the first products approved by the FDA for hair loss.  Rogaine is the name used for the chemical minoxidil.  When Rogaine was first released, it required prescription use; however, in 1995, the lower strength became available as an over-the-counter product.  To date, you can buy the 2 percent strength and a 5 percent strength, both over-the-counter.

So how does Rogaine work?  Rogaine essentially revitalizes your hair follicles, increasing their size and allowing them to produce longer, thicker hairs.  It also increases blood flow to the scalp, which has the same effect.

Rogaine is typically applied topically on the scalp twice a day, morning and evening with a spray applicator that is provided with the product. With most people, it is effective in preventing or slowing further hair loss.  Unfortunately, once use of Rogaine stops, you will lose whatever hair that you had been working to save, although this may take up to two months to occur.  One possible way around that total hair loss is to continue to use Rogaine on a regular basis for at least a year’s time.  Once you have used it for a period of time, you can take a week or two off from use every three to four months.  By then, it is possible you will have built a tolerance to the medication.

Propecia:

The only other hair loss medication with FDA approval is Propecia (or finasteride).  The active ingredient of Propecia, the finasteride, was used to treat enlarged prostate glands.  During these treatment methods, it was determined that a side effect was improving male pattern baldness and even regrowing hair.

Propecia is an oral medication, taken once a day.  A prescription is required.  Propecia works to actually stop the body’s ability to create dyhydrotestosterone or DHT.  DHT is a testosterone substance that shrinks the hair follicles until they are no longer able to produce hair.  Propecia actually blocks the formation of DHT, therefore stopping the balding process.  Propecia is not recommended for women, as it works on the testosterone levels in men, particularly the DHT.

In a study of Propecia use, there were visible hair growth results in 9 out of 10 men.  In 2 out of 3 men, they regrew hair instead of losing it.  After six months of use, you may see evidence of less hair loss.  Unfortunately, as long as you want to maintain this hair growth you will have to take this medication.

This is the case with both medications, once you stop use, you will start to lose your hair again.  You should consult your doctor to discuss whether medications are your best option.