Hair Loss Prevention

Propecia® (finasteride) is a drug for an enlarged prostate gland. It works by preventing testosterone from being converted into DHT, so in theory, it might prevent or improve male-pattern baldness, and it can now be prescribed by doctors in the USA for this purpose. Because Finasteride is a tablet rather than a lotion it is more convenient than Minoxidil, though it is also available in topical form and can be combined with minoxidil for enhanced results. It works best if the ‘bald’ areas have lots of fine, thin hairs. Also, younger candidates seem to respond slightly better than older subjects. In any case, if your hair loss is extensive, it will not work. It should be taken indefinitely if hair growth is to continue. Recognized side effects, experienced by around 2% of users, include erectile dysfunction. In trial studies, side effects ceased after the dosage was discontinued.

Call today and you’ll be able to speak with a hair loss expert at Charles Medical Group. We’ll provide expert opinions on the most recent developments in hair loss today, what causes it, and what is effective today (including FDA-approved remedies, surgery, and non-surgical methods).

Minoxidil is a vasodilator and was originally used exclusively as an oral drug (Loniten®) to treat high blood pressure. It was later discovered to have the unique side effect of promoting hair growth and reversing baldness. In the 1980s, Upjohn Corporation introduced a topical solution containing 2% minoxidil, marketed in the United States as Rogaine® for the treatment of hair loss. Today, treatments usually include 5% concentration solutions designed for men and 2% solutions for women. Minoxidil is also available in oral form as an alternative option.

As a hair loss treatment, the most common side effect is itchy scalp. If minoxidil use is stopped after a period of treatment, hair loss will resume.

Thousands of products for baldness are advertised on TV and on the Internet. They claim to make hair re-grow, or simply to stop further loss. Most charge high prices and simply use minoxidil which can be purchased over the counter in your local pharmacy for approximately $10. Other products, most likely, are a complete waste of money. Most have not been assessed by proper research studies, and aim to persuade a consumer by a single ‘true life’ success story. Because hair loss is often noticeable for a month or two and then stops for a few months it is easy to imagine that a product is having an effect. Without proper, recognized research studies, treating hundreds of people with the product and an equal number with a control group version of the treatment, it is impossible to know one way or the other about effectiveness and safety. So before trying a treatment, ask the company for a copy of published evidence and the credentials of the firm testing the product.

Wash your hair daily with a mild shampoo. Dirty hair lies flatter and looks more sparse. Avoid anything that could make the hairs likely to break. After washing don’t rub your hair vigorously or use a hot hairdryer. Rather, pat the hair dry with a soft towel or use a low setting on the dryer, or, even better, let it dry naturally. Use a brush with soft bristles. Use a creame rinse detangler to undo any tangles, rather than pulling with a comb. Protect bald areas from sun damage. Propecia® is a registered trademark of Merck Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rogaine® is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc.

The cost of hair loss prevention in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Delray Beach depends on the severity of your condition and the ideal service for your hair loss issue. Additional treatments, prescriptions, or follow-up appointments may alter the overall price of hair loss prevention.