Can Something Stop My Hair From Falling?
Men all over the world go bald for a number of reasons. Baldness is perhaps one of the most common worries among men because it seems to affect all of them, sooner or later. In fact, specialists argue that some people never go bald but that the hair thins out over the years. However, it seems men will continue to try out any solution there is on the market, just to make sure their image stays intact over time. And who could blame them, really? Read more about solutions for hair loss and medications available on the market for this specific matter, along with their side effects and effectiveness.
There are mainly two types of medication recommended for men suffering from alopecia (aka hair loss): Minoxisil and Finasteride. The first one comes in the form of a lotion which is meant to be applied on the scalp, twice a day. Minoxidil has primarily been developed to cure high blood pressure; as it proved to have side effects of promoting hair growth, it started being used for treating baldness. The advantage of this lotion is that it can be purchased over-the-counter. Minodixil is marketed under the name of Rogaine. On the other hand, Finasteride comes in the form of tablets and can only be obtained with a prescription. This medication is marketed under the name of Propecia and it works by blocking the effects of androgen, the male hormones. Generic Propecia may also be used, but in higher doses to reduce the prostate’s excess hormone production in men. Those who suffer from this condition have prostate enlargement, often referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophy. Whereas Rogaine has been proved to work in over 60% of men to some degree, about 80% of the patients who were administered Propecia claim that, when used for at least three to six months, this medication is really effective in treating hair loss. The downside of both these popular drugs men use to promote hair growth and to stop their hair from falling is that their effects start to wear off as soon as the treatment is ceased.
But how do these medicines work and what are their side effects? Propecia is by far the most popular of such medications, especially due to its increased effectiveness when compared to similar products. This particular drug promotes hair growth and prevents the hair from falling by blocking the formation of DHT (dihydrotesterone), a hormone that seems to be causing the entire process through which men end up losing their hair. It is FDA approved and it is recommended to be used on the top of the head and middle front of the head. Propecia may only be used by men, as it was proven to cause birth defects. Side effects when taking this drug may include decreased libido, allergic reactions, swelling of the lips and face, problems with ejaculation and testicular pain.
Regain, on the other hand, works by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicle. Regain is however thought to be more effective on hairy areas and less on areas with no hair at all. One of the main advantages of this lotion is that it can be used by both men and women. Its side effects may include palpitation, hypotension and, more likely, scalp irritations.
No matter the choice one makes when it comes to this type of medication, it is always recommended to get the opinion of a specialist, moreover if one is suffering from an underlying condition.
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