It can be very distressing to lose hair, especially when you can't identity the cause or it appears to be happening suddenly and for no good reason. There are literally hundreds of hair-loss products available, and it can be very confusing to know where to start. There are several steps you can take to stop hair loss and regrow hair. Stopping hair loss should be the first goal, regrowth may follow.
Step 1
Make a doctor's appointment to determine the cause of your hair loss. According to the American Hair Loss Association, traditional male pattern baldness accounts for 95 percent of hair loss cases in men. If it is determined that male pattern baldness is the culprit, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2
Get a prescription for Propecia or generic finasteride from your doctor. Propecia is FDA-approved and recommended for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in males. Propecia works by reducing the levels of DHT in the body. DHT is the main hormone that causes hair thinning. Take one tab of Propecia every day.
Step 3
Get minoxidil at your local grocery or drug store. According to HairSite, minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is the most popular hair loss treatment in the world. HairSite details several studies in which it has been proven to be safe and effective in stopping hair loss and regrowing hair. Use minoxidil as directed one or two times daily.
Step 4
Get a bottle of Nizoral shampoo at your local grocery or drug store. Ketoconazole, the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo, was clinically proven to be effective in combating male pattern hair loss in a 1998 Belgian study published in the Journal of Dermatology. Researchers found that ketoconazole shampoo yielded nearly identical results as 2 percent minoxidil.
Step 5
Have patience. Hair restoration may take a awhile. Minoxidil may take up to three months to produce results. Propecia may take up to nine to 12 months. Dr. Robert Bernstein, a renowned hair transplant surgeon, suggests staying on Propecia and minoxidil for up to a year before considering a surgical hair restoration procedure.
Tips and Warnings
- Use Propecia and minoxidil as directed. Use Propecia and minoxidil every day. Schedule a checkup visit with your doctor. Lightly dry your hair with a towel.
- On Propecia's website, Merck notes that Propecia can cause sexual side effects in men. These side effects are said to occur in less than 2 percent of men who use Propecia, however. If you forget to take a tab of Propecia, do not take two tabs the following time. If you forget an application of minoxidil, do not apply double the amount the following time.
Things You'll Need
- Minoxidil
- Propecia
- Ketoconazole shampoo
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