Effective Hair Loss Solutions

	Finasteride is an oral medication available by prescription only. Scientific studies over the last 5 years have shown that it can re-grow hair in up to 66% of men (of which 36% would be regarded as significant re-growth) and that it can stop hair loss in over 80% of cases. Finasteride is an enzyme-blocking agent that prevents the conversion of testosterone (the principal male sex hormone) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The amount of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase that occurs in the hair follicles in the scalp seems to be genetically determined and influences both the amount of hair loss and the age at which this occurs. It is remarkably safe having been used on men with enlarged prostate glands for over 15 years with no serious side effects. Less than 1% of patients report any sexual performance side effects which are mild, often only transient, and can be reduced by taking the drug on an intermittent basis (e.g. taking the tablet every 2nd or 3rd day).
	Finasteride works best for early or moderate hair loss with all the scalp hair responding to prevention of balding. Reversal of hair loss works best in the crown, probably because hair is lost earlier in the frontal region and is more advanced here by the time treatment begins. Recently a new blocker, Dutasteride has been released which may be useful in patients who don’t fully respond to Finasteride. All patients who may benefit from this treatment are offered Finasteride at the initial consultation. A combination of this medicine and hair replacement surgery may provide the best outcome in many patients. Finasteride is generally only offered to men.

Minoxidil solution (also known as Regaine®) applied to the scalp has been available for 15 years and is now available without prescription from a Chemist.

It is available in two strengths - 2% solution and 5% solution. It acts as a hair stimulant (the growth phase of the hair follicle is lengthened) and is mildly effective in the early stages of male pattern (and female pattern) hair loss to stop or retard further hair loss.

It also is more effective on the top and back of the scalp than at the frontal hairline.

The higher concentration (5% solution) has been shown to produce both an earlier and better response than the 2% solution.

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