Hair Loss Treatments: What Works and What Doesn’t?

There are a lot of products out there that promise to regrow my hair back? What works and what doesn’t?

Unfortunately, there are many scams out there that promise those fighting against hair loss that their product is the miracle cure to end all of their problems.

Currently, there are only two FDA approved hair loss treatments for hairloss. Finasteride, marketed as Propecia, and minoxodil marketed as Rogaine. Propecia is an oral treatment in the form of a pill taken daily. It works by inhibiting the amount of Dihydrotestosterone or DHT in the body. Rogaine is a topical treatment that is applied directly to the balding area that increases circulation to the scalp, thus revitalizing miniaturized hair follicles. Hairs affected by the hair loss medication will end up growing thicker and fatter.

It is import to have realistic expectations when using these treatments. Neither of these hair loss medications are miracle cures. There is a high percentage that both of these hair loss medications (especially when used combined) will help you keep your existing hair. The chance of hair re-growth, however, is lower…but possible.

People have also claimed that using Nizoral or Revita shampoo as directed can be a nice addition to the above medications. There are studies on the active ingredient ketoconazole that show it may help reduce the amount of surface DHT and is comparible to using Minoxodil 2% daily.

Back to Scams:

There are a number of them out there and it is important to be mindful of them. Be leary of advertisements, especially since they will make phenominal claims and even throw people by stating that their product is FDA approved. Companies that make such a claim are including minoxodil in their product and charging a lot more for it.

Be leary also of “All natural” products claiming to regrow hair. Even educated consumers have gotten sucked into the line “the FDA only approves medications, not all natural products.” which is suppose to be some kind of proof that their product actually works. My other favorite line is “We have thousands of satisfied customers.” Where are they I wonder? How come every time I research a product in hair loss community based forums , I only read testimonies from the unsatisfied consumers?

The truth is, there is no evidence that any of these hair loss “miracle cures” work, and that’s the bottom line.

My advice: Consider Propecia and Rogaine as hair loss treatments. Research everything else thoroughly first and save your money.

Bill
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair loss treatments, Finasteride, Propecia, minoxodil, Rogaine, Dihydrotestosterone, DHT, hair loss medication, Nizoral, Revita, ketoconazole, regrow hair