FDA Approved Treatments for Hair Loss

May 14
11:09

2016

Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell

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Hair loss is the most common fear among men. Fortunately, there are FDA approved drugs that help men manage this embarrassing condition.

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Hair loss is a quite common problem for both women and men; it can cause serious distress and even self-confidence issues. Typically,FDA Approved Treatments for Hair Loss Articles doctors say that there is a baldness problem if a person loses over 150 hair strands per day; the medical term for this condition is alopecia. Before the start of the treatment, it’s essential to understand what causes hair loss because the cause defines the treatment plan.

There are two FDA approved drug substances for the treatment of pattern baldness. These substances are marketed under different names including Propecia and Proscar for finasteride and Rogaine (for women and men), Good Sense, Avacor and others (men only) for minoxidil. In addition, there are cheap generic drugs with the same effect as that of brand medications that can be purchased to save some money.

Finasteride

It’s available in the form of tablets and should be administered only for the treatment of male pattern baldness; it’s not intended for the treatment of hair loss in women. It was developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia; however, during clinical studies it’s been noticed that low doses of finasteride improved hair growth and slowed hair loss. This preparation works by inhibiting the production of specific enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, an androgen that causes the hair follicles to miniaturize or shrink which leads to baldness. It can take about six months of treatment before any effect can be seen, and if the treatment is ceased, the balding process usually resumes within twelve months.

Minoxidil

It’s a topical preparation (foam or lotion) that should be rubbed into the scalp several times a day in order to prevent further balding. However, it doesn’t cure hair loss, it only slows down the process and promotes hair regrowth. It takes several months before the first effect can be seen, and once the treatment is stopped, the regrown hair falls out within the next two months.

In addition to these medications, there are other options for those who are struggling with different types of hair loss, such as laser therapy, hair transplant, corticosteroid injections (alopecia areata), oral contraceptives (for women), etc.

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