Options for hair loss treatments increase each year. Some are effective, to some degree, while most are not. Whatever their marketing messages, however, near all hair loss treatments use common ingredients rather than unique synthetic chemicals.
One of the biggest examples of a synthetic treatment is finasteride. Initially developed as a treatment for prostate enlargement called Proscar, it launched as a hair loss treatment called Propecia in 1997. Dutasteride, often sold under the brand name Avodart, is another treatment for prostate enlargement that most physicians believe is less effective but can serve as a substitute for those who cannot take finasteride for whatever reason.
Receiving a prescription for finasteride or dutasteride is easy. Patients merely need to ask their physician, who will then in all probability sign off on it. Side effects can happen though, including depression and, in less than 5% of cases, sexual dysfunction. Dutasteride's side effects can be even more severe. Females considering finasteride should also know that it can dramatically alter hormones: many physicians recommend they not even physically touch the capsules when pregnant.
Finasteride is the first oral treatment that encouraged hair retention and growth. Minoxidil, a topical hair loss treatment launched under the brand name Rogaine, became available in the late eighties. Effective for some people, minoxidil's main strength is encouraging hair retention and growth. Doctors are still figuring out how it exactly encourages results, but most believe it facilitates circulation to the scalp.
Meanwhile, finasteride is the first antiandrogen released to the public to prevent hair loss. Androgens are "male" hormones that both sexes have, testosterone being the most popularly recognizable. Testosterone converts to a number of chemicals through perfectly natural processes, one of them being DHT: a major cause of hair loss. Finasteride blocks this conversion, thereby enabling better hair retention and fostering some growth.
Hair restoration specialists continue to experiment with finasteride to optimize growth. Dr. Chiara Insalaco, a collaborator of Dr. Cole's, is working on a topical finasteride treatment that is showing substantial results. Learn more by reading a recent blog post. Alternately, contact us to learn more about finasteride, dutasteride, and other take-home hair loss treatment.
