Propecia is the brand name for finasteride, an oral drug for male-pattern baldness. Male-pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is characterized by thinning of the hair on the scalp and a receding hairline. Propecia is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles and causing hair loss. Propecia needs to be taken for at least three months to have any effect on hair growth, according to MedlinePlus. Propecia may diminish a man's sex drive. Although the Mayo Clinic notes that this side effect is rare, some men may prefer alternative treatments.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a topical over-the-counter treatment for male-pattern baldness. It is rubbed into the scalp twice daily. It promotes new hair growth and may prevent hair loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, minoxidil may take up to 12 weeks to stimulate new hair growth. The clinic notes that if results from minoxidil are only minimal after six months of treatment, a doctor may advise discontinuing use. New hair will grow only while minoxidil is used. Hair growth will stop once treatment ceases. Minoxidil may irritate the scalp.
Hair Transplant
A hair transplant is a surgery that involves removing plugs of skin containing one or two hairs and implanting them into bald areas of the scalp. The front and top of your head are usually treated first, as these areas have the most impact on a person's appearance, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Usually, one or two sessions are required, the association notes. The Mayo Clinic says treatment can be painful and cause scarring.
Scalp Reduction Surgery
Scalp reduction surgery involves cutting away bald regions of the scalp and stretching hair-filled regions over the areas that have been removed. Scalp reduction surgery is most suited for someone who has a plentiful supply of hair on the back and sides of his scalp, which can be stretched to cover the patches that have been removed, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Scalp reduction surgery may be combined with a hair transplant to achieve the best effect. Scalp reduction surgery may leave a central midline scar, notes the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
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