There are literally thousands of products that allege to prevent hair loss and regrow lost hair. From laser combs and herbs to scalp exercises and specially formulated shampoos, it can be a challenge even knowing where to start when attempting to treat hair loss. Unfortunately, most of the nontraditional remedies for hair loss simply do not work and have no scientific support. The good news is, the products most often recommended for hair loss are often the traditional solutions that have been proven to be safe and effective.
Propecia
Finasteride, trademarked as Propecia, is a once-a-day oral tablet that is approved and recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of further hair loss. Propecia is specifically for the treatment of male pattern baldness and should not be taken by women or children. It is the only FDA-approved pill for hair loss.
OmniMedicalSearch.com reports the highlights of a five-year clinical trial led by Dr. Keith Kaufman of Merck Pharmaceutical. Over the course of five years, hair count improved in two out of three men. A panel of independent dermatologists found that 90 percent of men suffering from male pattern baldness either regrew hair or experienced no new hair loss. By the end of the five years, side effects such as impotence and erectile dysfunction were reported from only .3 percent of men.
Please consult your doctor about the cause of your hair loss before attempting to treat it. Propecia is available by prescription only.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, trademarked as Rogaine, is another hair loss product that is recommended and approved by the FDA. Minoxidil has been used for over 15 years to treat hair loss and can be used by both men and women. Minoxidil is a topical solution that is readily available at most grocery stores and pharmacies.
The HairSite and SpringerLink websites detail a one-year observational study of 5 percent minoxidil conducted by Dr. Jerry Shapiro at the University of British Columbia. The study kept track of how many hairs were lost when showering or washing. At the beginning of the study, male patients averaged 69.7 hairs lost. By the end of the year, the same patients averaged 33.8 hairs lost, more than a 50 percent reduction in hair shedding during washing. When evaluating 5 percent minoxidil's effect on hair regrowth, dermatologists found that only 15.7 percent of men were non-responders.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is a recommended product for hair loss. While FDA approved for the treatment of excessive dandruff, ketoconazole is scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of hair loss. It is available in Nizoral and Revita shampoos.
In a clinical trial published in the Belgian Journal of Dermatology, ketoconazole was found to be effective in the long-term treatment of androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Researchers at the University of Liège in Belgium found ketoconazole to be as effective as 2 percent strength minoxidil for improving hair density and the proportion of hairs in the growth cycle phase.
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