Common Causes and Treatments for Hair Loss

Millions of men throughout the world are suffering from hair loss. If you yourself are one of those men, then it is likely that you fully understand just how upsetting and frustrating hair loss can be. Do not allow yourself to get too down! Take solace in the fact that you are not alone and do what needs to be done to protect your hair and prevent future hair loss.

In the past, there was nothing that could be done to stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Men were forced to accept the situation or use wigs and hairpieces. This is no longer the case. There are things that you can do to save your hair. If you are interested in maintaining your hair, read on to learn more.

Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition that causes men to slowly, or sometimes quite rapidly lose the hair on their head. Although there are a number of junk, snake oil products that claim to stop hair loss, there are only two medications that have actually been proven to re-grow scalp hair. The first, Minoxidil, is a topical medication that you apply to the areas of your scalp effected by male pattern baldness. You can apply Minoxidil either once or twice per day. Minoxidil, sold under the name Rogaine, used to be available only with a prescription, but is now sold over the counter. You can walk into any major drug store and pick up a bottle.

When using Minoxidil, it is important that you have realistic expectations. If you are completely bald, it will not work for you. It typically only grows back a small number of hairs and is most effective on the vertex area of your scalp. It is less effective on the hairline. Minoxidil is available in both foam and liquid preparations and takes a few months to work, so you must be patient.

Finasteride, which is sold under the name Propecia, is the other proven-to-be effective hair loss treatment. If you want to stop male pattern baldness, you need to be taking this medication. Finasteride does an amazing job at halting the progression of male pattern hair loss, but is less effective at growing back new hairs. You should begin taking Finasteride as soon as you begin to notice hair loss, the earlier the better.

Finasteride is sold only to people with a doctor's prescription, so you will need to meet with your physician before beginning treatment. Finasteride differs from Minoxidil, in that it is not a topical solution, but a pill that you take once per day. In order to maintain the benefits of Finasteride you must continue to take it daily. If you go off of the medicine, you will eventually lose any new hairs that you have re-grown and the progression of your male pattern hair loss will continue. There is a small chance that you may suffer side-effects from taking Finasteride, so be sure to talk this over with your doctor.

Hair loss is no fun. Fortunately, by taking Finasteride and using Minoxidil, you can stop the progression of male pattern baldness and keep most of your hair. Good luck!