A number of drugs, treatments and “cures” are presented and marketed online and via radio and television advertising.
Yet, you will find only two hair loss drugs – Propecia and Rogaine – that are Approved by the fda and which can have any real degree of effectiveness
Minoxidil
First, let us take a peek at what you’re really probably most knowledgeable about – Minoxidil (originally produced by Upjohn Corporation, brand name Rogaine).
You’ve noticed the advertisements with all the spectacular before and after effects. Maybe you might even have a friend or two that swears by it. Well here it goes.
Truth of the matter, yes Minoxidil can grow back hair – for some patients. This is just one of those truths that is only legitimate for a few people. There are some parameters to this product that you must understand.
To begin with, it is advisable to have in mind the original purpose for minoxldil. This FDA-approved medicine was developed to treat high blood pressure. At that time it was available as a pill called Loniten. Physicians essentially were unwilling to use Minoxidil due to the extreme unwanted side effects which could result in congestive heart failure. Consequently, only hypertensive patients were prescribed this drug.
At some point, doctors and scientist found out one more intriguing side effect with the patients using Minoxidil, They observed an increase in new hair growth in several spots, their head, back, arms, etc. Needless to say this was an incredible and perhaps very profitable finding that sent scientist scurrying to the lab to begin testing. Following several clinical rest and trials they discovered that prescription drugs may be used as a hair loss treatment. And in 1988, Rogaine was the very first drug authorized by the FDA to deal with androgenetic alopecia.
Formerly, Minoxidil was administered by doctor’s prescription only and as a lotion. Because the expiration of the patent on minoxidli in 1996, generic brands are now sold otc; in your local pharmacy or supermarket. Strengths vary, 2% for women and up to 15% for men. Both males and females can usually benefit from this product.
Excellent news, right? So exactly what is the drawback? The problem is that Minoxidil functions best in particular circumstances and areas of the head. Firstly, presently there is not a product in the marketplace that will regrow hair coming from a hair follicle which is already dead. Furthermore, studies have shown that Minoxidil for whatever reason can not work that well on the front part of the scalp. So, just how and where do you use it? Well, we will need to return to what I described regarding the growth stages. If you have genetic male pattern baldness, the development stages get shorter and shorter and your strands of hair basically begin to minaturize, A miniaturized hair follicle mimicks that of peach fuzz. So the live hair follicles which you have in your thinning areas respond to the Minoxidll by interrupting the miniaturization process necessitating the growth cycle and over time produce longer fuller terminal hairs.
The recovery rate with Minoxidil varies, but: lots of people do see results. Minoxidil works as a vasilodator, which means it opens up the capillaries enabling the circulation of blood to enhance. Additionally, it blocks the enzyme 5 alpha reductase from mixing with testosterone so that it stops DHT from forming. This is what is considered to be the main cause of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). This is what they will not inform you. Even though the product: works as DHT blocker, which happens to be good, you will always have to make use of this to keep on blocking the formation of DHT This really is why you won’t see outcomes for months, as the product has to work through your bloodstream. So if you decided that you don’t want to carry on using the product, you’ll lose what you have and then some – and that’s the truth! Also, DHT may become resistant to the blocking effect of the product, and hair loss will start again.
One more component you should be aware of is Tretinoin (Retin-A) that is generally used with Minoxidil. This can be utilized to help the minoxidil to soak up into the hair follicle. Retin-A a topical retinoic add, that is regularly employed by dermatologist for acne treatment and to reduce wrinkles, can be used here to perform as a conductive. As with anything you have to look at the fine print. There are also side effects that are associated with Retin-A that ought to be looked at. Those unwanted effects lead to skin irritation and inflammation that can ironically cause hair loss!
Here is my point. If you want: the truth and solutions you must also be honest with yourself. Ask yourself am I a good candidate for this type of product? If you know that your condition is too far gone and your hair follicles are dead then this is not for you .. How do you know ThIS, you might ask? There are two ways to approach this. First, I recommend going to a dermatologist for an exam and diagnosis of where you are and the possibilities. Secondly, if YOll have been bald for a number of years and your skin is tight and shiny chances are that your hair follicles are dead. Going to a dermatologist really helps to take away the guess work. Another question to ask yourself, is the front part of your hair where you’re experiencing the most loss? Then more than likely Minoxidil alone is not going to be the best choice for you, transplants may be the answer in that case or a combination of minoxidil and propecia. Are you bad at keeping a strict regime of using this product twice a day everyday for the rest of your life? If so, then maybe this is not for you. Remember, if you start this program and you stop, you will lose what you gained and then some. So honesty on both sides is a big pan of effective results.
Age also is a key component in the overall effective results as well. Studies show that younger people respond better than their older counterparts. And if you are in the beginning stages of hair loss you are more likely to see more successful results compared to someone who has been bald for years. It’s almost safe to conclude that if you have been bald for some time your hair follicles are dead.
A word of caution to women when using Minoxidil: You should be prepared for the possible side effect of unwanted facial hair growth. This is usually found with women who choose the higher concentration level of 5%. This is usually a temporary side effect lasting only a few months but changing to 2% could be a simple solution. If you should ever discontinue using the product, your hair growth will go back to normal.
Propecia
The second FDA approved drug on the marker is Finasteride. This product, produced by Merck pharmaceuticals, is branded by the name of Propecia. OriginaJJy; Finasreride was prescribed to rrear enlarged prostate glands. Later it was discovered to also have a side effect of hair growth.
The interesting thing is that when a man has an enlarged prostate, you will find at least four times the amount of DHT in the bloodstream. Remember that with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), DHT is the current known culprit. When a man has a belign enlarged prostate, he has a form of 5 alfa reductase called type 2 alpha reductase that also converts testosterone to DHT.
When doctors treated patients who suffered with enlarged prostate glands with Finasteride, patients notice improved hair growth in places where they experienced hair loss. These fabulous side effects encouraged scientist and doctors to conduct clinical studies on Propecia, What they discovered is that Propecia does help regrow hair and slows down hairless. So in 1998 the FDA approved Finasterlde as a form of hair loss treatment with a prescription.
Unlike treatment for enlarged prostate, the prescribed amount of medication is in a much smaller dosage. The necessary dosage to treat hair loss is usually one milligram as opposed to five milligrams for prostate medication. Because Propecia comes in a pill form, it is easy to use and keep track of.
*
How Propecia and Rogaine work.
Propecia and Rogaine operate in very different approaches to stop hair loss. Propecia is a pill taken once every day, while Rogaine is a liquid that is placed on the scalp twice daily.
Propecia functions by suppressing the creation of a hormone called DHT that is considered to be a catalyst in triggering hair loss. Research indicates that nearly 80% of men using Propecia stopped and even corrected their hair loss to some degree.
Rogaine works by stimulating shrunken follicles of hair, thus growing their size. When Rogaine is utilized every day, individual follicles may increase in size, and also the expanding phase may become longer. This might then produce longer, thicker hairs.
Note – Propecia and Rogaine usually only bring back hair in the frontal areas. For factors yet unidentified these solutions solely usually work in restoring hair thinning in crown section of the scalp. Only hair transplant surgery continues to be effective in repairing hair in the frontal hairline area once it’s been lost.
Finasteride is a medication that requires continued use to maintain results. What Finasteride does is block the enzyme 2 alpha five-reductase from combining with the testosterone to prevent the conversion to DHT. Therefore treatment must continue to prevent DHT from forming. As long as Finasteride is being used, you will prolong hair loss, keeping the hair stages of hair growth in tact.
Here is the truth on this product. Propeda works on most men, generally on the vertex (top of the head) and the mid portion of the head. Evidence concludes that Propecia is not as effective on the hairline and the temples. In my personal. experience, I’ve seen good hair growth activity on the hairline with the combination of Minoxidil and Propecia. Another thing to consider is that it takes time before you see results. Approximately three months after taking propecia you should expect to experience a decrease in shedding. If the product is working for you, you should see hair growth anywhere from 6 to 12 months. However if you have not seen any progress by 12 months, it is safe to conclude that it is not working for you.
Again, you are the judge, so be honest with yourself. If your condition has progressed, and you have been bald for a long rime and your scalp is tight and shiny; more than likely this product will not work for you. Chances are the majority of your follicles in the bald area are dead. Does this mean that it’s hopeless for someone who has permanently lost their hair? No, not at all, You may just need to consider other options. What I am trying to do is save you time and money by helping you make an educated decision on your own.
Also, there are serious side effects to contemplate when using Propecia, One major side effect is decreased libido/low sex drive. Some men experience adverse effects in getting an erection and noticed a decreased amount of semen. Yes, the possible trade off is scary; however clinical studies show that these side effects only occurred in fewer than 2% of men.
Unlike Mlnoxidil, women should not use Propeda. Propecia is made for men only. Remember, Flnasteride was originally used as a medical treatment for enlarged prostate. The ingredients in Finasteride blocks the rype-Il alpha 5 reductase in the prostate gland, whereas women only have small levels of DHT formed from alpha 5 reductase .. These are two different things. Unfortunately, if a woman gets pregnant and has been using Finasrerlde, the active ingredients could cause problems for male fetus sex organs. For these reasons, women shouldn’t even touch a broken or whole pill.
What’s the difference between Rogaine and minoxidil and are these really a good choice for thinning hair?
A: Rogaine is simply a brand name for minoxidil. Minoxidil can be acquired from several sources and in varying strengths from 2% to 5% liquid and even in a 15% solution. Additionally, it will come combined with Retin-A, which increases results by enhancing the absorption of minoxidil. (Retin-A also apparently exerts some antiandrogenic effects over time.) Minoxidil’s name betrays its connection to nitric oxide, an important hair growth messenger that appears to be diminished in balding scalp. Minoxidil can be helpful in male pattern hair loss, but it is not a panacea. It is best used as part of an overall program that attacks the hair loss problem from different angles.
What is the Difference Between Propecia and Rogaine?
The main difference also is based on how these drugs are administered. minoxidil is a topically applied liquid that is a blood vessel dilator. The idea with minoxidil is that it helps you to open up the follicles that have shut off due to DHT overload in men and women, or for whichever other reason the follicles have grown to be inaccessible to growing hair.
Finasteride, however, is in fact taken in pill form. What’s more, it is used only once a day, rendering it a more appealing approach to some rather than minoxidil mainly because it has to be applied topically twice a day for months prior to results start appearing. Nevertheless, the side effects for minoxidil are much less than the side effects for finasteride.
Comments on this entry are closed.