Propecia (Finasteride)

Finasteride, better known as Propecia® , is one of the two chemical treatments investigated and passed by the FDA. There are no known medical harmful effects to either of these medications. Finasteride inhibits the enzyme that converts testosterone (the "male hormone" ) into an enzyme that is active in hair follicles called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Your genetic disposition to sensitivity to DHT affects the onset of hair loss.

The main draw back of these chemicals is that if you stop using them, you will eventually lose your hair again, so essentially, you are "addicted" to these chemicals to keep any hair they may have helped you regrow. It is not recommended, but you can miss a day or two without major effects. If you were to stop using the drug altogether, in a matter of months, you will have lost any new hair growth. You will want to follow the instructions on the packaging from the manufacturer to the letter. Finasteride is not recommended for use in women. There are cautions against pregnant women handling broken or crushed tablets as Propecia could be potentially harmful to a developing male fetus. The drug has potential for interfering with sexual development of a fetus. And while minor trace elements can be detected in a man's sperm while taking the drug, the amount seems to be insignificant. He can stop taking it during the conception period if he chooses to do so, but no studies have indicated any negative effects.

Propecia is designed to affect crown hair loss (top of your head towards the back) and is less effective in frontal loss and has not been proven to impact the sides or temples at all. Propecia will regrow some of your hair back but not all of it and it's greatest effect seems to be in the slowing down of hair loss. Finasteride's effects in slowing hair loss and stimulating new hair growth seems to work best for early to moderate degrees of hair loss. The major downside seems to be in the fact that a Propecia-only treatment is only as good as long as you keeping using it, while hair restoration surgery is permanent and last a life time without a lifetime dependency on the drug. Questions about the potential for Propecia® to be associated with development or progression of prostate cancer have been addressed in a study reported in 2003.

 

 Rogaine® (Minoxidil)

Minoxidil is an over the counter (non-prescription) topical medication that has been in use for over 20 years and was touted as the first hair restoration medication approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as the brand name Rogaine or one of its less expensive generic substitutes. Minoxidil was discovered accidentally while researchers were experimenting with anti-hypertensive (drugs to lower blood pressure) to dilate blood vessels.

Rogaine is applied to the scalp in the thinning areas. Initially the media created quite a stir around the medication, but the results were often disappointing. Minoxidil is fairly effective at helping reduce hair loss (the 5% solution recently introduced to the market seems more effective than the previous 2% solution). Women have seen better results than men with the products, achieving a slightly more than 30% effectiveness with men slightly less so. The best response seems to be from individuals who have relatively small hair loss areas or in recent onset of hair loss. It is less effective on the front of the scalp than in the central regions.

Besides not being effective for about 70% of the people using the chemical, some side effects are minimal with the exception of some minor itching and skin irritation. There can also be an unwanted growth of facial hair when spilled or applied to the face. The major down side to the medication is that it is a life long commitment. Like Propecia, once you stop using Rogaine, any results you may have obtained will be lost in the next 3-6 months.