There are a lot of scams out there, and it can be hard for the average person to determine what is really helpful and what is just a way to take their money. Rogaine often falls into this category, because people don't know whether it works, or how it works. Hair tonics are not miracle cures, but they do have their uses.
The active ingredient in Rogaine is a drug called minoxidil. It was initially sold as a high blood pressure medication, to be taken orally. When it was noticed that it had a tendency to darken and increase the hairs of people taking it, someone decided to see if it worked on baldness. Finasteride (brand name Propecia) was a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or non-cancerous growth of the prostate, when something similar was observed.
A preparation of minoxidil works for around two-thirds of men who try it. Initial hair regrowth is slight, downy and light. It may or may not darken and increase in density. Initially, hair loss may increase when using minoxidil. Usually, it grows back. Finasteride may take three to six months for improvement to occur, and works in around 80% of men.
It is unknown how minoxidil works to regrow hair. Studies have shown that it does not work the same way finasteride does, by reducing dihydroxytesterone (DHT), one of the hormones responsible for male pattern baldness. It may work by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, as it is known to be a vasodilator. Finasteride works by inhibiting an enzyme required to create DHT.
Because minoxidil must be maintained in an alcohol base, it can cause drying of the scalp and dandruff. Other side effects include itching, especially of the eyes, irritation or rashes on the treated skin, and undesired hair growth in other areas. Severe allergic reactions have been reported occasionally. The side effects of finasteride can be more serious, possibly because it is an oral medication. Possible side effects include impotence which is occasionally permanent, testicular pain, and other sexual dysfunctions.
Caution is necessary when handling both finasteride and minoxidil. Minoxidil is highly toxic to cats and rats, so keep it put away if you have any pets. Finasteride is an FDA category X medication, known to cause birth defects. It should not be handled by women capable of child-bearing at any time, as it may cause damage to a fetus.
The thing about hair tonics, and oral baldness treatments like finasteride, is that they may create a slight improvement in some men, but they don't work on everyone. They both also stop working after you discontinue use, which means that to maintain your hair, you'll have to apply it twice daily (or pop a pill, in the case of finasteride) for the rest of your life. This can be expensive, as well as annoying.
There are no other drug treatments proven to have any effect on hair loss. While it cannot be said that no other treatment is effective, there are many scams out there, and there are no other treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness at this point. If neither medication works, or if you choose to avoid them for other reasons, hair transplants are an effective, if expensive, method of treating baldness.
The active ingredient in Rogaine is a drug called minoxidil. It was initially sold as a high blood pressure medication, to be taken orally. When it was noticed that it had a tendency to darken and increase the hairs of people taking it, someone decided to see if it worked on baldness. Finasteride (brand name Propecia) was a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or non-cancerous growth of the prostate, when something similar was observed.
A preparation of minoxidil works for around two-thirds of men who try it. Initial hair regrowth is slight, downy and light. It may or may not darken and increase in density. Initially, hair loss may increase when using minoxidil. Usually, it grows back. Finasteride may take three to six months for improvement to occur, and works in around 80% of men.
It is unknown how minoxidil works to regrow hair. Studies have shown that it does not work the same way finasteride does, by reducing dihydroxytesterone (DHT), one of the hormones responsible for male pattern baldness. It may work by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, as it is known to be a vasodilator. Finasteride works by inhibiting an enzyme required to create DHT.
Because minoxidil must be maintained in an alcohol base, it can cause drying of the scalp and dandruff. Other side effects include itching, especially of the eyes, irritation or rashes on the treated skin, and undesired hair growth in other areas. Severe allergic reactions have been reported occasionally. The side effects of finasteride can be more serious, possibly because it is an oral medication. Possible side effects include impotence which is occasionally permanent, testicular pain, and other sexual dysfunctions.
Caution is necessary when handling both finasteride and minoxidil. Minoxidil is highly toxic to cats and rats, so keep it put away if you have any pets. Finasteride is an FDA category X medication, known to cause birth defects. It should not be handled by women capable of child-bearing at any time, as it may cause damage to a fetus.
The thing about hair tonics, and oral baldness treatments like finasteride, is that they may create a slight improvement in some men, but they don't work on everyone. They both also stop working after you discontinue use, which means that to maintain your hair, you'll have to apply it twice daily (or pop a pill, in the case of finasteride) for the rest of your life. This can be expensive, as well as annoying.
There are no other drug treatments proven to have any effect on hair loss. While it cannot be said that no other treatment is effective, there are many scams out there, and there are no other treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness at this point. If neither medication works, or if you choose to avoid them for other reasons, hair transplants are an effective, if expensive, method of treating baldness.
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Now, males can prevent hair loss in most instances if they are willing to take the necessary steps and measures. You can learn more information about hair loss treatment for men by searching online.
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