Hair Loss Treatments

Prescription Medications for Hair Loss Treatments

Hair loss is a growing problem for both men and women. The effects of hair loss can leave a person feeling embarrassed, singled out and depressed about the current condition of their hair. Where once, men and women were forced to live with the effects of hair loss, today they can choose a hair loss treatment to suit their needs.

The main hair loss treatment on the market falls into the prescription medication category. Prescription medications for hair loss work in one of two ways. They will either inhibit the loss of hair and promote new hair growth, or simply promote the growth of new hair.

What Prescription Medications Are Available?

Finasteride, one hair loss treatment medication, inhibits or blocks the production of DHT. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, inhibits the growth of hair on the scalp and encourages the growth of new hair. With the use of Finasteride, patients often experience a reduction in hair loss and an increase in hair growth. Unfortunately, only about half of the patients using Finasteride actually regain enough hair to be visible with the naked eye.

Another medication used for hair loss treatment is Minoxidil. Minoxidil does not inhibit the production of DHT, so hair loss is not stopped or slowed. Minoxidil forces the hair follicles to begin regrowing hair after they have become dormant. The effects of this hair loss treatment tend to be similar to those of the Finasteride. But, the hair regrown with Minoxidil is not the same thickness and texture as the mature hair growth. Vaguely resembling baby hair, the new hair growth is thin and wispy.

Each of these versions of a hair loss treatment require a prescription from a medical doctor. These medications will be used in conjunction with routine follow up visits to determine whether the hair loss treatment is working properly. If prescription medications do not help reduce the hair loss or regrow hair, there are natural hair loss treatments that may work better for the patient. Natural treatment of hair loss offers far less chance of side effects. The side effects of prescription hair loss treatment may include skin irritation, inflammation or redness of the area where applied.

Hair loss is a treatable disorder for both men and women. The stage of the hair loss may determine which hair loss treatment is right for which patient. In the beginning stages, preventing additional hair from falling out may be the main concern. Where as, with patients who have already lost a significant amount of hair, new hair may be all that matter.

About Minoxidil

Most hair loss treatments for women attack the major cause of thinning hair in women - baldness. Yes, the same thing that is the major cause of hair loss in men is also the major cause of hair loss in women. The most infamous - and effective - hair loss treatment for women and men is the medicine Minoxidil. This is usually found in the brand name Rogaine and also generic brands, depending on the store you shop at. You need to use Minoxidil for six months in order to know if it works for you or not. Although that is a big commitment in terms of time and money, Minoxidil is the only hair loss treatment that passed FDA clinical trials.

About Tricomin

Not every person can tolerate Minoxidil, and for them there is an alternative - copper peptides (brand name Tricomin). This also can be used in conjunction with Minoxidil or Propecia, but ask your doctor about that before you try it. Tricomin comes in a whole line of products from topical spray, shampoos and conditioners. It works by stimulating hair growth and conditioning your scalp so it doesn't get itchy and make your scratch. Many hair follicles are still working, but taking a rest on your head. The copper peptides tells the follicle that it's time to get up and go to work.

Steroid Injections

The results of this controversial hair loss treatment is widely reported to be great, however you need to be careful of taking too many steroids. This is one hair loss treatment that works much better in women than in men. Please talk this over with your doctor before you decide to go through with them. They are expensive and can only be legally administered by a doctor. And yes, you get the shots into your head. Makes a wig sound more an more like a reasonable alternative, doesn't it?

Whether you are a man or woman, if you are experiencing hair loss then you are surely devastated. Most people consider their hair as being one of the most important things in terms of their beauty, especially women. Not only that, but losing hair is basically a sign of getting older and so of course it is going to be bothersome.

If you have noticed that you are starting to lose your hair, you should not freak out. In fact stress is only going to further contribute to your hair loss problem, and so it is important that you stay calm and know that there is help available to you.

Hair Loss Treatments

There are many great hair loss treatments out there that you can use to help a hair loss problem. Before you can determine which particular hair loss treatments are going to work best for you however, you need to try and determine what the root cause of your hair loss problem is.

This is especially important because often time there are contributing factors that are involved which can be removed, thereby eliminating the hair loss problem altogether. Medications for one are often to blame, and a lot of the time the doctor will be able to switch you to another medication, one that will not cause you to lose any more hair.

Once you have determined what the cause or causes are of your hair loss problem, you are then able to move on and make the most informed decision in terms of which hair loss treatments are going to be most suitable for you.

There are so many great hair loss treatments to choose from, including temporary sprays and thickening shampoos, but then there are also many permanent technique options. You can choose to use hairpieces and extensions or even undergo a hair transplant procedure, in which most often the surgeon will remove hair from the back and sides of your head and transplant them onto the front.

If you are losing your hair, you should never freak out, but instead know that there is some great help out there that you can take advantage of. Hair loss is an incredibly common problem, but there is certainly no lacking when it comes to hair loss products and treatments you can use. Not only are there some terrific products that you can buy and apply yourself, but there are also some fantastic surgeons and doctors out there who can help you get your hair and your confidence back.