While hair loss and hair restoration remains an imperfect science, a major step in finding a potential cure or a foolproof treatment was finding the source of male pattern baldness. DHT or dihydrotestosterone, is thought to be the major of androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. Propecia's website and HairSite describe the role of DHT in male hair thinning: testosterone convert to DHT via the 5-alpha-reductase and attaches to hair follicles genetically prone to thinning and progressively shrinks the follicle. Effective remedies for hormonal hair loss will inhibit or reduce levels of scalp DHT.
Propecia
Propecia, as stated by Merck, is the only pill approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proven to help reduce DHT, a key cause of hair loss. Propecia is available by prescription only and formulated only to treat male pattern hair loss. Propecia's website suggest that women refrain from even touching the tablets. It is important to determine with your doctor that your hair loss is due to DHT and not a vitamin deficiency or other hormonal condition.
Propecia's website details a 5-year clinical trial sponsored by Merck that demonstrated the effectiveness of the drug in treating androgenic alopecia. Two out of three men regrew hair. Nine out of ten men either regrew hair or maintained their prior hair count during the five year study. Side effect appeared in 2 percent of men, dropping to only .3 percent of men by the culmination of the study.
Saw Palmetto
Similar to Propecia, saw palmetto can inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT via the 5-alpha-reductase. Similar to finasteride (Propecia), saw palmetto is used to treat BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia by lower the level of circulating DHT in the body. Saw palmetto is a dietary supplement.
StopHairLossNow notes that a 2002 study published in "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" concluded, "those with male pattern baldness may increase hair growth by taking a preparation containing saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and beta-sitosterol." The likely mechanism for this is similar to Propecia, by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Ketoconazole Shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo, the active ingredient in Nizoral and Revita shampoo, has been clinical proven to treat male pattern baldness from DHT. Ketoconazole is an ingredient that traditionally has been used to treat excessive dandruff. It has an anti-inflammatory effect that may help rid the scalp of DHT or prevent DHT from attacking hair follicles. A 1998 Belgian university study published in the Journal of Dermatology found that ketoconazole shampoo had nearly the same effect as 2 percent strength minoxidil on improving hair density. Researchers concluded that ketoconazole seemed promising in the long-term treatment of male pattern hair loss.
References
- Hairsite: Propecia Finasteride Hair Loss Treatment
- Propecia.com: DHT & MPHL - DHT in Male Pattern Hair Loss
- Propecia.com: About PROPECIA (finasteride)
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Natural Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness
- PubMed; Dermatology; Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia; 1998
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