In an age of modern medicine that can combat and treat cancers, immune disorders and mental health problems, stopping hair loss still remains an imperfect science. Many products exist that claim to help slow hair loss, but few are effective. Still, some products are scientifically proven to help hair loss and even regrow hair in some cases. Consult your doctor or dermatologist before taking any of these products to determine the cause of your hair loss.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, the generic name for Rogaine, is a product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hair loss for both men and women. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that two studies presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2004 confirmed the effectiveness of 5 percent minoxidil in treating male pattern baldness. In both studies, the majority of patients safely experienced a "rapid onset of action in promoting new hair growth" and "decreased hair loss." One of studies, led by Dr. Jerry Shapiro over a on- year period at the Division of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia, found that the average number of hairs lost in the shower decreases by nearly 50 percent.
Currently only the 2 percent version of minoxidil is approved by the FDA for women. The website Androgeneticalopecia.com, however, claims that the 5 percent version has been used worldwide by many dermatologists for female pattern hair loss. In a 32-week study, 63 percent of women treated with 2 percent minoxidil experienced at least some regrowth. Hair counts indicate a net gain in active follicles, suggesting that minoxidil can help slow hair loss and regrow hair as well.
Propecia
Propecia, after minoxidil, is currently the only other FDA-approved treatment for hair loss available. According to Hairsite.com, it is the only FDA-approved "anti-baldness" pill in the world. Propecia is for men only. In a two-year Merck pharmaceutical study led by Dr. Keith Kaufman that was published in 1998 in the American Journal of Dermatology, of men who took Propecia—1mg of finasteride—daily, it was found that 83 percent had a greater or the same hair count. Merck researchers concluded that in men with male pattern hair loss, 1mg of finasteride per day slowed the progression of hair loss and increased growth in clinical trials over two years.
Ketoconazole
A third lesser-known product for slowing hair loss is ketoconazole shampoo. Ketoconazole, the active ingredient in Nizoral and Revita shampoos, is traditionally used to treat major cases of dandruff. The Department of Dermatopathology in Belgium found in a 1993 study that ketoconazole shampoo, when compared with 2 percent minoxidil, improved hair counts and density just as much. Researchers concluded that ketoconazole shampoo might be promising in the long-term treatment of androgenic alopecia.
References
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: 5% Minoxidil in Treating Male-Pattern Hair Loss
- Androgeneticalopecia: Minoxidil as a Treatment for Female Pattern Baldness
- Hairsite: Propecia Finasteride Hair Loss Treatment
- PubMed; Dermatology; Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia; 1998
- SpringerLink; Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery; Safety of Topical Minoxidil Solution: A One-Year Prospective, Observational Study; Jerry Shapiro; February 19, 2004
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