A slow but steady thinning of hair is a natural part of aging, according to MayoClinic.com. Sometimes hair loss results in baldness when the rate of regrowth can't keep up with the accelerated rate of shedding. Male- and female-pattern baldness is medically defined as androgenetic alopecia. In men, hair loss usually causes a receding hairline and balding on the crown of the head. Women tend to experience an overall thinning of hair, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. A few hair creams may slow the loss of hair and stimulate regrowth.
Anthralin
Anthralin, sold under the brand name Dritho-Scalp, is a prescription-only cream or ointment that may encourage hair growth, according to MayoClinic.com. Anthralin is a tarlike substance that's applied to the scalp daily and then rinsed off.
It can take eight to 12 weeks to notice new hair growth. It may take as long as six months for acceptable hair growth to occur in about 25 percent of cases, notes the "New England Journal of Medicine."
Minoxidil for Men
Minoxidil, sold under the brand name Rogaine, was the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug to treat male pattern baldness, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Minoxidil is available over-the-counter as a cream, lotion or foam. Minoxidil is sold in 2 percent and 5 percent solutions. The stronger cream is generally recommended for men, according to the Aetna InteliHealth website.
Minoxidil is massaged into the scalp two times to help guard against additional hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. It can take as long as three months before new hairs appear. They are often shorter and thinner than untreated, naturally growing hairs. The benefits of minoxdil will stop when treatment ends. The use of minoxidil cream is usually discontinued if positive results are not evident within six months of regular use.
Minoxidil for Women
Minoxidil is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat female-pattern baldness, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. The less potent 2 percent concentration of cream, liquid or foam is usually recommended for hair loss in women since the 5 percent solution may cause facial hair.
While minoxidil may only promote hair growth in up to 25 percent of female users, most women will notice a slowing of hair loss, notes the UMMC. Hair loss will resume when treatment is stopped.
Corticosteroid Creams
Prescription corticosteroid creams may help manage mild to moderate cases of alopecia areata, according to AlopeciaAreataSite.com. Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that causes scalp hair to fall out in patches.
Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medications that are absorbed into skin cells to encourage hair growth. The success rate of topical corticosteriods for alopecia areata is generally much higher in children than adults, notes AlopeciaAreataInfo.com.
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