Growing hair that has been gone for a long time is possible, but an aggressive multifaceted treatment plan is the best bet. Clinical studies have shown that patients using two or more effective hair regrowth products have better results than patients using just one product.
Do not waste your time on products that make outlandish claims, but have not undergone independent testing. Stick to products that are scientifically proven to aid in regrowing hair. Propecia and Avodart are two DHT-blocking medications. Propecia is the only one approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat hair loss as of 2010, but Avodart has proved to be a superior product for hair regrowth.
Step 1
Visit your doctor. A physician can tell you the cause of your hair loss and will be able to rule out any unnatural causes so you can pursue the best treatment plan. A doctor can also write a prescription for a DHT-blocking medication.
Step 2
Take prescribed DHT blocker as suggested by physician. Both Avodart and Propecia are pills and should be taken exactly as prescribed.
Step 3
Wash hair with Nizoral shampoo every third day. Let the shampoo soak on your scalp for at least five minutes while you're in the shower.
The active ingredient in this shampoo is ketoconazole, which is another agent often used to fight hair loss and promote hair growth due to its ability to block androgens.
Step 4
Apply 1 ml minoxidil to the scalp in both the morning and the evening. Each package of minoxidil will come with a dropper so that you can measure the correct amount. Let minoxidil dry on your scalp before going to bed and wash hands after use.
Tips and Warnings
- Avodart is the trade name for dutasteride, while finasteride is sold under the Propecia name. A study by the Duke University Medical Center concluded that dutasteride was superior than finasteride for target-area hair count. The study was published in the Dec., 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology."
- Minoxidil does not work as well as either DHT blocker for regrowing hair, but a study published in the Aug. 29, 2002 issue of "The Journal of Dermatology," concluded that patients using minoxidil and finasteride together had better hair growth than subjects using either one separately. Subjects using finasteride and ketoconazole also had better results than subjects using either minoxidil or finasteride alone.
Things You'll Need
- DHT-blocking medication
- Nizoral shampoo
- Minoxidil
References
- Grey Hair Loss: Will Dutasteride Ever Get Approved for Hair Loss?
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology": The importance of dual 5alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss
- "The Journal of Dermatology": Comparative efficacy of various treatment regimens for androgenetic alopecia in men
- Minoxidil 4 Less: How to Apply Minoxidil
- Hair Loss Talk: Nizoral Shampoo: the Foundation of Hair Loss Treatment
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