Hair loss affects millions of men and women. There are hundreds of remedies that promise to regrow hair, most of which are worthless. When dealing with hair loss it's best to ignore the fantastic claims made by marketers and stick with the products that have shown success in clinical settings.
The most effective hair loss treatment is finasteride, which is sold as Propecia in the United States. Finasteride was developed to treat prostate problems, but hair growth was an unintended side effect. Finasteride works by inhibiting the production of the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, more commonly known as DHT. In 1997, Propecia was the second hair loss treatment to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Finasteride comes in pill form and is only prescribed for men. A decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are the two most common side effects.
Minoxidil was the first drug to receive FDA approval to treat hair loss. Minoxidil was developed to treat hypertension and hair growth was one of the side effects from the drug. Minoxidil is available in 2-percent or 5-percent solutions for men and a 2-percent solution is made for women. Minoxidil is available without a prescription, although women may be prescribed the 5-percent solution. Minoxidil is a topical solution and a flaky scalp is the most common side effect.
Ketoconazole shampoo has shown promise as a hair loss treatment in small studies. Nizoral is the most popular shampoo containing ketoconazole and is available in a 1-percent solution over-the-counter or in a prescription 2-percent solution. A 1998 study in Dermatology conducted by the Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liege, Belgium, showed that 2-percent ketoconazole worked similar to 2-percent minoxidil for treating hair loss and regrowing hair. Nizoral can be used by men or women. The most common side effect of Nizoral is nausea or and upset stomach.
Provillus is a popular hair loss treatment for those who want the effectiveness of an FDA-approved treatment combined with an herbal supplement. Provillus contains a topical minoxidil, along with a separate oral supplement that contains saw palmetto, nettle root and pumpkin seed. Different versions of Provillus are made for both men and women. The most common side effect is a flaky scalp from the minoxidil.
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