Finasteride, commonly branded as Propecia℗ or Proscar℗, is the most effective pharmaceutical medication to prevent male pattern baldness. It was originally prescribed to reduce prostate size but, by the 1990s, it was found to block an enzyme (5-alpha reductase) that miniaturizes hair follicles by converting testosterone to hair-damaging Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In 1997, the drug was approved to treat male pattern baldness. While it originally cost in excess of $100 per month, this medication can now be purchased by prescription at places like Costco for a few dollars per month.
Finasteride is a prescription oral medication that is well-tolerated with few side effects, at least for men (roughly 10% of males may experience a reversible decrease in libido). While deep diving the internet, one may find horror stories about permanent side effects from this medication but in Dr. Ross’ experience of having prescribed this medication to more than 30,000 patients, he has never heard of a single patient that experienced long-term side effects after stopping the medication. Finasteride is sometimes prescribed off-label for female pattern baldness, but it is strongly contraindicated for use by women of childbearing age.
When taken regularly, finasteride is effective in slowing or halting the progression of male pattern baldness. It cannot, however, regrow permanently lost hair. This is why it is wise to begin taking finasteride as soon as one notices a receding hairline or thinning hair.
Minoxidil, also known by its brand name Rogaine℗, comes in topical and oral forms. The drug was originally developed in the 1950s to treat ulcers. By the 1970s, it was used to reduce blood pressure. During those years, it was noted that female patients experienced very fine body and facial hair growth as a side effect. In 1988 it was approved by the FDA as a topical treatment for hair loss. Since then, it has been used to reduce the effects of male and female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and other types of alopecia. Unfortunately, the hairs grown as a result of minoxidil are not follicles. Therefore, they have no roots and generally fall out within weeks after stopping treatment.
Minoxidil is a well-tolerated, safe medication with few potential side effects. Topical minoxidil may be applied to the scalp in either a liquid solution or a mousse-like foam. Hair growth from minoxidil must be maintained by consistent use of the product or the benefits will be lost. Oral minoxidil has the same properties but has a tendency to produce increased body hair as well.
Minoxidil has been around for more than half a century, but it’s still not well understood how it promotes hair growth. It was originally thought that it stimulated hair growth through improved blood flow to the scalp, but this has not been proven. Rather, current studies are focusing on how it activates certain cellular receptors that may spur hair growth. To date, it is still not known exactly which receptor mechanism is activated to form these superficial hairs.
At La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration, we believe in creating an individualized hair loss treatment plan that best addresses every patient’s specific situation. From medications and minimally invasive procedures to surgical FUE and FUT hair restoration, we want to help you achieve a thicker, fuller head of hair that lasts a lifetime. To learn more or to set up a consultation, call us at (619) 832-4885 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you.
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