In order to learn about hair loss products available on the market, one must first understand the causes of hair loss. There are a many types and causes of hair loss among men and women. However, the most common is adrogenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Male pattern hair loss is dependent on three factors.
In order to learn about hair loss products available on the market, one must first understand the causes of hair loss. There are a many types and causes of hair loss among men and women. However, the most common is adrogenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Male pattern hair loss is dependent on three factors:
- A genetic predisposition for hair loss
- The presence of androgens (male hormones)
- The passage of time: enough aging time must occur to allow the first two factors to influence hair follicles
There are a number of hair loss products available for those suffering from hair loss. This article will introduce a number of these products and explain what benefits they may have for hair loss patients.
The following is a list of some of the most common hair loss products, from Adovart to Zinc.
Adovart is the brand name of the drug, dutasteride. Adovart belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which block the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Adovart is a hair loss product which can be used specifically to treat male pattern baldness in the vertex region.
Nizoral shampoo is used to relieve dandruff and is thought to have some anti-androgenic effects. Nizoral contains a chemical called ketoconazole (2%). This hair loss product is indicated for use 1 to 3 times a week, upon a doctor’s recommendation.
Propecia is another hair loss product taken orally. Finasteride is the generic name for Propecia, and is in a drug class called aza-steroids. Propecia works as a DHT inhibitor and is used for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia can help slow or stop hair loss and has even regrown hair in some men. Propecia works most successfully in the crown and when started early on into hair loss progression. Propecia is one of only two treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Revivogen is a hair loss product promoted as helping to treat thinning hair and hair loss in both men and women. Revivogen is applied topically at least one time a day. However, we have not found this hair loss product to be clinically advantageous for hair loss sufferers.
Rogaine is the brand name of the drug, minoxidil. Rogaine is a hair loss product which is applied topically in order to slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Rogaine works most effectively on men under 40 whose hair loss is recent. It is important to understand that once Rogaine is discontinued, the benefits of this hair loss product will be lost. Rogaine and Propecia are the only hair loss products approved by the FDA.
Saw Palmetto is a hair loss product in the form of an herbal treatment which has been shown to be an effective anti-androgen. It works in a similar way to Propecia, blocking the conversion of DHT.
Zinc is a mineral which may stimulate hair growth by improving immune function. Zinc can be found in food (particularly wheat germ, brewer's yeast, pumpkin seeds, oysters, mussels, shrimp and egg yolks), and can also be taken in supplement form. Past studies show that this
hair loss product may even be effective at stopping or reversing the graying of hair that comes with age.
