The success of hair
loss treatment depends on what is instigating hair to fall out in the first
place. The initial step is to find a certified trichologist to help diagnose
the roots of hair loss. Once you established the cause, you can select
specialized treatments that will help retain the hair you have or regrow lost
hair. Our expert team at www.Drugs-med.com prepared a brief overview of hair loss treatment options and
debunked some myths so that you can make a smart decision.
One hair loss myth
is that any hair loss is permanent. When the cause is stress or nutrient
deficiency, such hair loss is temporary and hair will regrow once the
underlying problems are addressed. Hair loss caused by chemotherapy is also
largely reversible. Genetic hair loss, instead, is mostly permanent, as is any
type of hair loss caused by scarring on the scalp.
Women suffering
genetic hair loss have few options for hair regrowth. Minoxidil is the only
treatment for women that has been officially approved. It works by making hair
follicles larger and encouraging existing hair growth, while it does not
stimulate lost hair regrowth. When used by men, Monoxidil is effective for
nearly 30-50% of the patients.
Finasteride, also
marketed as Propecia, is the only oral drug officially approved for treatment
of androgenic alopecia or Male Pattern Baldness. This genetic condition manifests
when a man’s hair follicles discontinue producing adequate hair in response to
hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride acts by inhibiting an enzyme
that otherwise would transform testosterone to DHT.
Finasteride has
gained the status of the most popular anti hair loss drug for men. And still,
treatment results vary between individuals, and researchers warn that men
should have realistic expectations. Let`s have a look at the popular myths
about Finasteride and de-bunk them, using the findings of clinical research.
Myth: Finasteride can aid you
stop hair loss
Fact: In most males, hair
loss is triggered by miniaturization. This process ensues when hair follicles
are instigated – by DHT – to grow for increasingly shorter periods, thus making
the hair weak and small. For the time being, there is no way to keep the miniaturization
from starting.
Myth: Finasteride can regrow lost
hair
Fact: The highest effect
of applying Finasteride is represented by thickening of partially miniaturized
hair and halting the advance of hair loss. It is largely useless in re-growing
hair in zones that are vastly miniaturized or completely bald.
Myth: Once you start Finasteride
you must take it eternally
Fact: You can stop taking
Finasteride any time you please. An important note, if you decide to
discontinue using the drug, any improvements in hair thickness or hair count
will reverse, and you will return to that same grade of hair loss that would
have progressed without treatment.
Myth: Finasteride triggers birth
defects should a man take it while his spouse is pregnant
Fact: Exposure of
expecting women to sperm from males treated with Finasteride carries no known
threats to the fetus. Nonetheless, men should pay attention that Finasteride
may instigate inability to ejaculate, loss of sexual desire, and inability to
achieve orgasm. These dysfunctions may continue for some time after men stop
taking Finasteride.
