Hair Regrowth Products for Men

There are hundreds of hair regrowth products on the Internet, in health food stores and magazines that promise results, but there are very few that actually deliver. By the age of 35, according to the American Hair Loss Association, 66% of American men will experience some degree of hair loss. Thankfully, there are some effective treatments for slowing hair loss and regrowing some hair.

Propecia

Propecia is one of two FDA-approved hair-loss prevention and regrowth products for men. Propecia is 1mg of finasteride and is currently available by prescription only. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that in a five-year study of Propecia, the hair count gap grew over time between men who used Propecia and those who did not. Researchers concluded that Propecia could significantly help men prevent further hair loss in the vertex (crown) area. In many cases there was evidence of regrowth as hair counts increased.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil, the active ingredient of Rogaine, is the second of two FDA approved treatments for hair loss and regrowth. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery confirms the effectiveness of minoxidil in treating hair loss and regrowing hair. In a four-month surveillance study, hair density was judged as "improved" in 74.2 percent of men. In a one year study of 5 percent minoxidil, men were found to lose about 50 percent less hair while washing their hair from a mean of 69.7 hairs lost to a mean of 33.8 hairs lost. Both studies show scientific evidence of hair loss prevention and regrowth.

Minoxidil is best use in conjunction with Propecia.

Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole, the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo, is a lesser known hair regrowth product for men. A study conducted by the Department of Dermatopathology at University of Liège in Belgium found that the long term effect of ketoconazole shampoo when topically applied was similar to 2 percent minoxidil. The researchers report that "hair density and size" improved with the use of ketoconazole shampoo.

Currently 1 percent Nizoral shampoo is available over the counter in the United States while the 2 percent version requires a prescription.

References

• American Hair Loss Association: Men's Hair Loss
• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: Five-Year (Finasteride) Hair Regrowth Study
• International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: 5% Minoxidil Effective in Treating Male Pattern Hair Loss
• PubMed.gov: Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-term Use in Androgenic Alopecia