Hair loss is common nowadays in people wether they are young or old. There are many companies that claim that their prodcuts can reduce the hair loss or even completely stop it. But most of them don't work. They just cost money and do nothing. However, there are two products which are FD approved and they have proven to reduce the hair loss. Those two products are:
1: Minoxidil
2: Propecia
Minoxidil:
Minoxidil (mi-NOX-i-dil) applied to the scalp is used to stimulate hair growth in adult men and women with a certain type of baldness. The exact way that this medicine works is not known.
If hair growth is going to occur with the use of minoxidil, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for several months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. Hair loss will begin again within a few months after minoxidil treatment is stopped.
In the U.S., this medicine is available without a prescription. In Canada, this medicine is available only with your physician's prescription. It is available in the following dosage form:
Topical minoxidil for men and women
Topical solution (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine minoxidil rogaine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your physician will make. For topical minoxidil, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your physician if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil or propylene glycol (nonactive product in medicine). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy—Topical minoxidil has not been studied in pregnant women. However, some studies in animals have shown that minoxidil, when given by mouth, causes problems during pregnancy, although the studies have not shown that the medicine causes birth defects. Before using this medicine, make sure your physician knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical minoxidil passes into breast milk. However, minoxidil, taken by mouth, does pass into breast milk. Minoxidil is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause problems in nursing babies.
Children—Studies of this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of topical minoxidil in children up to 18 years of age with use in other age groups. Use in infants and children is not recommended. If you think your child has hair loss, discuss it with the physician.
Older adults—This medicine has been tested in a limited number of older patients up to 65 years of age and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in this age group than it does in younger adults. However, studies have shown that the medicine works best in younger patients who have a short history of hair loss. Minoxidil has not been studied in patients older than 65 years of age.
Propecia :
Propecia (Generic: Finasteride) is a product developed for men, that help stopping hair loss (and in about 42% of patient even help increasing hair growth). Finasteride is the active ingredient of Propecia, it blocks the formation of DHT, and gives the hair follicles a chance to recover and grow. Propecia can prevent further male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen which acts by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In clinical studies, finasteride (Propecia) 1mg was shown to work on both the crown area and the hairline, but is most successful in the crown area.
Finasteride (Generic Propecia) works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is the primary contributing factor in male pattern baldness (hair loss) and Finasteride help reducing the DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Propecia works on the hormonal source which causing hair loss. dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is attacking the hair and is the main cause of men hair loss. Propecia reduce significantly the amount of DHT in the body.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with Propecia. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Propecia:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast enlargement, lumps, pain, or tenderness; depression; nipple discharge; testicular pain.
