Woman's Hair Blowing in Wind

What medications are available and what do they do for you?

The two most common medications are Rogaine and Propecia.

Rogaine is a topical solution that is sold at a local drug store, a prescription is not required.  It is best known to work on the top or crown of your head versus the frontal area.  Rogaine is not known for growing hair, but it is able to allow you to keep the hair that you already have.

There are limited side effects with the use of Rogaine in a 2 percent solution of minoxidil.  It does however require continued use.  You should apply this twice a day.  There is an increased strength of 5 percent solution that may be more effective; however, there are side effects with this intense solution.  These side effects could include skin irritation, unwanted hair grown on the face, headaches and ankle swelling.

Another option for hair loss prevention is Propecia, another form of medication.  This is a lower dose of a common medication that is normally used to treat prostate conditions in men.  A prescription is required to obtain this medication.  This medication is taken once per day.  It has been shown to show hair loss and allows you to grow more hair, as time progresses.  This medication is best used when you still have enough hair to retain.

With Propecia, there are possible side effects of sexual side effects, including decreased libido.  These may disappear over time or when the medication is stopped.  This treatment may be easier than Rogaine, as it simply involves taking a medication daily versus the application process involved with Rogaine.

Unfortunately, the problem with both medications is you have to continue use to continue to see results.  When you stop using the above medications, your hair loss may return.

If medications are not for you, you can try natural methods or try surgical procedures. The surgical procedures may be more evasive than any other method.

One other important thing to consider with medications, if you are taking medications for other various conditions, such as thyroid medication, heart medication or any other condition, one of the side effects may be hair loss.  If you are experiencing hair loss, you should check with your doctor if your medications are causing it.  If it is, the hair loss may discontinue when you stop taking the medication.

Finally, if you are considering taking medications for hair loss, make sure that this medicine will not affect any of your other medications.

Man Smiling

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.