From vitamins and herbs to laser combs and DVDs demonstrating scalp massage exercises, there are hundreds of hair growth products available. Whether you're frustrated by the lack of results or maybe you've just started looking for hair growth products, there are safe and effective products to stimulate hair growth. The most effective products also have the most scientific support.
Propecia
Propecia is approved and recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia is an oral tablet taken once a day and provides 1 mg of finasteride. The drug works by reducing or blocking the body's production of DHT, the hormone thought to be responsible for hair loss.
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports in detail on a 5-year study on Propecia. Men who took Propecia once daily significantly increased their hair count over the men who did not. The hair count differential increased each year in the study. The study noted that 65 percent of men taking Propecia increased or maintained their initial hair count, while the men not taking Propecia did not see any regrowth or maintenance.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a hair growth product approved and recommended by the FDA. This topical solution that can be used by both men and women. One milliliter is topically applied one or two times a day to areas of hair loss. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that it has been safely used for the treatment of male pattern baldness for over 15 years. ISHRS cites a 4-month surveillance study that concluded minoxidil to be a safe and effective treatment that stimulated hair growth. In the study, 99.2 percent men either increase or maintained their hair count over the balding scalp area surveyed. Minoxidil was found to be ineffective for stimulating hair growth in only 6.2 percent of men.
Ketoconazole shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo treats scalp dandruff but can also be effective for hair growth. Ketoconazole is the active ingredient in Nizoral and Revita shampoo. Many shampoos formulated for hair growth have come up empty. A 1998 Belgium clinical study at the University of Liège concluded that Ketoconazole shampoo was as effective as 2 percent minoxidil for increasing hair density or growing hair. Belgium scientists felt that Ketoconazole shampoo was promising product in the long-term treatment of androgenic alopecia.
References
- Propecia: How Propecia (r) (finasteride) Works with Male Pattern 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: Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia
Member Comments
Sunnhi July 16
Gro-aut hair growth products should be on the list. Works just as well or even better for alot less.