Treatments for Baldness

Finasteride (Propecia)

Propecia
Originally developed as a drug to treat enlarged prostate glands (Proscar), Finasteride had the interesting side effect of growing hair in the men who used it during the trials. The developers knew they were on to something and developed Propecia as the first pill to treat male pattern baldness.

Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme that causes high levels of DHT. As you know, DHT is responsible for damaging the hair follicles and eventually causing baldness. Propecia/Finasteride can lower DHT levels by as much as 60% when taken regularly. This can have a very noticeable effect in stopping hair loss.

Propecia/Finasteride is currently the only medically proven way to treat baldness in the majority of patients. The American Hair Loss Association recommends Propecia as the first thing you should try in the fight against baldness. Many hair loss specialists agree.

Propecia is available by prescription only, and is fairly affordable. Unlike most drugs, Propecia has very few side effects with none worth noting here. You can find out more about Propecia at their website.

More information about Propecia:

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Rogaine
Like Finasteride, Minoxidil was a drug that was originally used for something else. For many years it was taken in the pill form to treat high blood pressure. Researchers discovered an interesting side effect. Some people who were taking Monixidil in the pill form were growing hair in strange places like their cheeks and foreheads. Researchers tested a theory and applied Monixidil directly to bald places on the head. Depending on the hair loss, patients did notice an improvement. Rogaine was born.

Rogaine does not stop hair loss like Propecia and Revivogen do. Instead, it takes the opposite approach and stimulates hair growth. It’s perfectly safe, and the most common side effect is an itchy scalp.

Rogaine does not require a prescription, and is available over the counter.

More information about Rogaine:

Revivogen

Revivogen
Revivogen is a natural formula that, like Propecia, works to reduce DHT production. Unlike Propecia, it is applied directly to the scalp and does not affect DHT levels elsewhere in the body. This means that Revivogen is free of any ill side effects.

The main ingredients in Revivogen include Saw Palmetto and Linolenic Acid. Both of which have been proven to inhibit the enzyme which produces DHT (the main cause of hair loss).

Most of the time, we recommend ignoring any hair loss product that brags about being “natural”. Still, Revivogen has gathered a loyal following so large that it cannot be ignored. The company also backs its product with a 90 day guarantee.

Note: Revivogen is not currently approved by the FDA.

More information about Rogaine:

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation involves surgically transplanting hair follicles from the back and sides of the head to a persons bald or thinning areas. These hair follicles are genetically resistant to baldness, so they will typically grow for a lifetime.

Unlike unsightly hair plugs you may have seen. Modern hair transplantation uses many hair follicle units for a natural appearance.

More information about Hair Transplantation: