By the age of 50, approximately 85% of men will experience hair loss or thinning hair. Hair loss can be emotionally devastating for sufferers, leaving them vulnerable to spending thousands of dollars on “miracle” hair loss solutions or treatments.
 By the age of 50, approximately 85% of men will experience hair loss or thinning hair. Hair loss can be emotionally devastating for sufferers, leaving them vulnerable to spending thousands of dollars on “miracle” hair loss solutions or treatments.
American hair loss sufferers spend an estimated 3.5 billion dollars each year, in an attempt to treat their hair loss, according to the Washington Post. In reality, the vast majority of these purported hair loss treatments are completely ineffective at preventing or treating hair loss.
In general, if a hair loss treatment is not approved by the FDA, or endorsed by the American Hair Loss Association, it is most likely a waste of valuable time and money. It is important to remember that the most successful hair loss treatment will often require early intervention. It is also important to understand that hair loss is a progressive condition and, therefore, long-term costs and effects of any treatment must be considered.
Two hair loss treatments that have proven clinically successful and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are:
- Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar)
Propecia and Proscar are brand names for the generic drug, finasteride. Finasteride is an antiandrogen and DHT-inhibitor taken orally. Finasteride is a fairly effective hair loss treatment which can stabilize hair loss and may even regrow hair in some men.
Rogaine is the brand name version of the generic drug, Minoxidil. Rogaine is a hair loss treatment that is applied topically and has the ability to slow or stop hair loss, and may even promote hair regrowth.
In addition to these two FDA-approved drugs, there are a couple other inexpensive hair loss treatments that may be worth trying.
Saw Palmetto is an herb that works in a similar way to finasteride, reducing the DHT that the body produces and possibly inhibiting hair loss. It has even been shown to regrow hair in a small percentage of individuals.
Zinc is a mineral which stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune function. Zinc can benefit hair and scalp health by promoting cell reproduction, tissue growth and repair of broken tissues. Zinc can be found in foods, especially red meat, and can also be taken in dietary supplement form.
In addition to a number of hair loss treatments, there are also several non-surgical hair loss solutions available.
- Hair Systems/Hair Replacements
Hair Systems can be a good solution for individuals with excessive hair loss but are generally not recommended for young individuals, or those with minimal hair loss. Once an individual begins wearing a hair piece, it becomes very difficult to stop. They tend to be uncomfortable in hot weather and require frequent maintenance to keep them in good shape.
Concealment products include such brands as Toppik, Couvre, and Dermatch. These products can conceal the appearance of thinning hair or baldness by making hair appear thicker and reducing the appearance of contrast between the hair and thinning or balding areas.
The only permanent hair loss solution is hair restoration surgery. Although hair transplantation can seem like an expensive option, it can be one of the most cost-effective options for hair loss treatment. The results of hair restoration surgery will last a lifetime and can actually be less expensive than long-term use of medications or hair loss systems.
Check more information on Hair Loss Treatments
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