Medical/Non-Surgical Options

Finasteride (Proscar ®/Propecia ®)

In 1997 the FDA approved the oral medication, Finasteride, for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia® is its brand name in an oral, one-milligram daily dose, and Proscar ® is its brand name in a five-milligram dose. In tests, the use of Finasteride has led to a 30-40 percent re-growth of hair; and a higher percentage of patients experienced decreased hair loss. It has also exhibited a high safety margin with less than two percent of patients showing signs of side effects, mainly sexual in nature. Finasteride’s effectiveness is also increased with the combined use of Extra Strength 5% Rogaine® solution (sometimes Retin-A® is added to topical solutions to increase their absorption). Finasteride typically requires at least six months of daily use before any new hair growth / decreased hair loss is detected.

Topical Medications

Promising headlines about "miracle" hair tonics have enticed many people into buying lotions that only lead to disappointment. Despite extravagant claims, these products have been proven time and time again to be useless. However, the first proven effective topical drug, Rogaine ® (two percent minoxidil) and Extra-Strength Rogaine ® (five percent minoxidil), helps to hold on to existing hair, and has actually restored hair in some patients.

Many people purchase these topical medications envisioning a quick fix, but re-growth is a slow process that can take six to twelve months of consistent daily useage to see any results. Rogaine ® has found its greatest effectiveness with those who are beginning to lose their hair, because it actually slows down the balding process. Continued regular application is required and can be easily fit into a daily routine. With almost no side effects, it has become an effective treatment for many patients.

Using a Hairpiece

A hairpiece covers baldness instantly and densely. A high-quality wig attached to the hair (by clips, weaving, and snaps) or to the scalp (by surgical rings, glue, or tape) is a costly commitment in both time and money. However, no hair restoration surgery is as instantaneous, produces hair as thick, nor is as painless as a hairpiece. Improvements in hairpieces over the years have made them a more viable option.

A variation on the traditional hairpiece is the hair weave. Countless celebrities have increased the popularity of hair weaves in recent years. A weave can either be glued, heat-bonded, or braided into natural hair and usually lasts about two months.

Cosmetics

Some people camouflage their hair loss with colored sprays, rub-on dyes, or even long lasting tattoos of the scalp. Some shampoos can even thicken the hair shaft. Styling techniques or hair dyes that color the "peach fuzz" give a fuller look. And powder-like colorants have been marketed to sprinkle on the scalp to help decrease the scalp-to-hair contrast.