You may have seen the ads in the back of men’s magazines, you’ve heard the commercials on the radio, and you’ve seen the infomercials promoting miracle treatments for hair loss. The bottom line is that most advertised “treatments” do not work for the prevention and treatment of hair loss. If a hair loss treatment is not approved by the FDA or recommended by the American Hair Loss Association, chances are you are wasting your time and money.
Remember that successful treatment of hair loss is greatly dependent on early intervention. It is critical to begin treatment with an effective product as soon as you notice the onset of hair loss.
The following two treatments have been clinically proven to successfully treat hair loss in men to varying degrees.
Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
Finasteride is the generic name for the brand name drugs Proscar and Propecia. Finasteride was originally developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck as a drug (Proscar) to treat enlarged prostate glands.
During the trials on men with prostate problems, researchers noted an intriguing side effect: hair growth. Since finasteride had already been approved by the FDA to treat enlarged prostates in men, Merck decided to pursue the possibility of developing finasteride as the first pill to treat male pattern baldness. Minoxidil, a topical liquid solution, was already on the market (see below).
In December 1997, the FDA approved a 1mg dose of finasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in men. Propecia is the first drug in history to effectively treat male pattern baldness in the majority of men who use it.
How Does Finasteride Work?
Finasteride’s hair-raising success is due to its ability to specifically inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into a more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Propecia’s 1 mg dose of finasteride can effectively lower DHT levels in the scalp by as much as 60% when taken daily. It is DHT that shrinks or miniaturizes the hair follicle, which eventually leads to baldness. This 60% reduction in DHT has proven to stop the progression of hair loss in 86% of men taking the drug during clinical trials. 65% of trial participants had what was considered a substantial increase of hair growth.
At this point, the only truly effective medically proven way to arrest the hair loss process is to lower DHT levels. The American Hair Loss Association recommends finasteride as the first line of attack for all men interested in treating their male pattern baldness.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Minoxidil was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness. For many years, minoxidil, in pill form (brand name Loniten), was widely used to treat high blood pressure. Just like finasteride, researchers discovered a very interesting side effect of the drug. People taking the medication were growing hair in unexpected places, such as on their cheeks and the back of their hands. Some people grew hair on their foreheads.
Some enterprising researchers had the notion that applying minoxidil topically, directly on the head, might grow hair on balding areas. It did, to varying degrees depending on the extent of the hair loss, but at the time it was revolutionary.
While minoxidil has been clinically proven to slow the progression of hair loss and regrow some hair, most experts see it as a relatively marginally effective drug in the fight against hair loss. Since minoxidil has no effect on the hormonal process of hair loss, its positive effects are at best temporary and usually yield somewhat disappointing results.
The American Hair Loss Association still recommends the drug for those who have not responded favorably to finasteride treatment or for those who would like to add another product to their regimen. The AHLA does not recommend minoxidil as the first line of attack for men suffering with male pattern baldness, but does recognize it as an effective treatment for a small percentage of its users.
Need A Hair Loss Product That Works?
At HairLossInMen.org, we have searched far and wide and have found the best products that are cheaper, safer, and more effective. See our recommendations down below.
Prolexil Kit is the highest rated hair loss treatment on our list. The Prolexil formula works at the source to help rejuvenate your hair by delivering powerful compounds that help increase the length of the hair follicle cycle. This hair loss product works its way down to the roots of the hair follicle giving you the most effective way to fight hair loss.
Prolexil was rated highest among consumers and experts when we researched this product at the beginning of this year. I would say consumer feed back is by far the most important thing to consider when buying a product and with a full money back guarantee there is little to no risk in buying Prolexil.
Lowest Price Found: $59.99 @ www.Pronlexil.com
Pronoxidil is one of the most popular hair loss treatments on the market today. It contains a number of natural hair loss rejuvenating ingredients and contains Minoxidil which is a FDA approved prescription-strength hair loss compound. Minoxidil is a vasodilator medication used primarily to slow and stop hair loss while promoting hair growth. Minoxidil combats hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in addition to other causes of baldness and helps you to grow fuller and thicker hair.
Although there are several hair loss treatments that use Minoxidil, Pronoxidil is the only one that uses two very important natural ingredients that help enhance the action of Minoxidil. Along with these ingredients Pronoxidil contains other natural ingredients to help strengthen hair and increase thickness. Pronoxidil sells for $79.99 per bottle and is backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
Lowest Price Found: $79.99 @ www.Pronoxidil.com
Advecix is a well formulated hair loss treatment that works in three different ways to help reduce and recover hair loss. While most hair loss treatments work as a topical treatment Advecix is taken as a pill. Advecix uses natural ingredients to help increase the life cycle of hair follicles so that your hair will start returning. One of the main reasons for hair loss is that the growth cycle of hair follicles become so short that your hair does not even break the surface of the skin. Advecix is said to work by increasing this life cycle.
One of the main ways Advecix works is by inhibiting DHT. DHT hair loss is caused by the DHT binding to receptor sites on the scalp and hair loss happens when DHT takes over the receptor cell. Reducing DHT and naturally helping your hair to be thicker and fuller, helps your overall hair recovery. Advecix sells for a great price currently but it is increasing in price with its popularity. Currently Advecix can be found for $29.95.
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