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Hair loss (medical term: alopecia) can occur on any part of the body that normally grows hair. The loss of hair can be temporary or permanent and it can be caused by various things like hormonal changes, medical conditions, aging, and heredity. Female and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is excessive hair loss from the scalp, consisting of thinning of scalp hair, widening of the hair part in women, and a gradually receding hairline or top of the head balding in men. While both men and women can suffer from androgenetic alopecia, it is more common in men. Androgenetic alopecia accounts for roughly 9 out of 10 cases of hair loss in men. The two most common causes of male pattern baldness are age and heredity.
If you suffer from baldness, you are not alone. By the mid-30s, two-thirds of men have some degree of noticeable hair loss. By age 50, 85% of men have significant hair thinning. In roughly 25% of men, the process of balding starts at an early age, before they are 21 years old. It is estimated that 1 out of 2 women will experience noticeable hair loss.
Although it is not a health concern by itself, hair loss can sometimes be indicative of an underlying medical condition. Also, baldness can lead to a range of emotional problems, including an effect on relationships and professional life. Various treatments for baldness are available, both surgical and non-surgical.
Medications for Hair Loss
Currently, the FDA has approved two medications to prevent hair loss and restore hair growth in people suffering from baldness.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a vasodilator (a medication that causes blood vessels to expand). It is used to treat high blood pressure. Minoxidil is also used to slow balding by stimulating hair growth on the scalp in men and women. It is available as a solution or liquid that is applied directly to balding areas of the scalp, usually twice a day. Minoxidil works best in younger people (those who are under the age of 40) and in those with recent hair loss. It does not improve a receding hairline and it does not cure baldness. Most people need at least 4 months of treatment before they see results. It can take up to a year of minoxidil treatment to notice an improvement in hair loss. You have to continue using minoxidil to maintain the results if you see an improvement. If you stop using the medication, the new hair that grew is lost in a few months after the drug is stopped. You should use minoxidil as prescribed or according to the label instructions. It is worth noting that using more than the recommended amount will not lead to faster hair growth and can cause side effects.
Finasteride (Propecia) is a medication that belongs to a category of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in men. Finasteride is also an FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss. It is only used in men – it cannot be used to treat hair loss in women or children. The medication works by blocking the formation of a male hormone that stops scalp hair from growing. Finasteride is available as a tablet to be swallowed by mouth, usually once daily. It can take 3 months or more for you to see improvement with finasteride treatment because the medication works slowly to prevent hair loss. You can expect noticeable improvement after about 1 year of treatment. If hair loss treatment with finasteride has not worked in the first 12 months, it is unlikely to help. Your doctor can suggest other treatment options. It is worth noting that finasteride only slows hair loss as long as you are taking the medication. If you notice improvement with the medication, you will need to continue taking it to maintain the results. If you stop taking finasteride, you will slowly lose the hair you grew back over approximately 12 months.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Hair Loss
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available over-the-counter as a solution or foam at drug stores and pharmacies. You should apply minoxidil to a dry scalp and use the amount indicated on the label or as advised by your doctor. Wash your hands after using the medicine to avoid transferring it to other parts of the body. Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil. Do not use a hairdryer as it can make the treatment less effective. Let minoxidil dry for 2-4 hours before going to bed as it can stain your clothing or bedding.
Common Side Effects of Baldness Treatment Medications
Possible side effects of minoxidil include scaling, flaking, dryness, itching, irritation, and a burning sensation in the scalp. Less commonly, it can cause acne, facial hair growth, red skin, and swelling. It can occasionally lead to increased hair loss. More serious side effects of minoxidil include swelling of the face, hands, or ankles, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, and weight gain. You should speak to your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious symptoms.
Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain an erection), decreased libido (sexual desire), ejaculation problems, pain in the testicles, and depression. More serious side effects include breast changes, including lumps, pain, or nipple discharge, itching, rash, hives, face or lip swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious symptoms.
Common Questions
What causes hair loss?
Heredity is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women (male and female pattern hair loss). Another common cause of hair loss is age (hair growth slows as we get older). Cancer treatment, childbirth, medical conditions like thyroid disease, mental stressors, scalp infections, and hormonal imbalance can also lead to hair loss. Other potential causes of hair loss are damage due to hair treatments and hairstyles that pull the hair excessively. Sometimes, hair loss is a side effect of medications.
Does wearing wigs, toupees, or hats encourage hair loss?
Wigs, toupees, and hats can sometimes lead to hair loss by causing breakage due to friction if they are too tight.
Can I get a discount on baldness treatment with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including hair loss medications—as long as it is an over-the-counter formulation or you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
2. https://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/introduction.html
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
5. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689003.html
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/precautions/drg-20068750?p=1
7. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
Common Baldness Treatment Health Medications
Baldness Treatment
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter baldness treatment drugs.
Hair loss (medical term: alopecia) can occur on any part of the body that normally grows hair. The loss of hair can be temporary or permanent and it can be caused by various things like hormonal changes, medical conditions, aging, and heredity. Female and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is excessive hair loss from the scalp, consisting of thinning of scalp hair, widening of the hair part in women, and a gradually receding hairline or top of the head balding in men. While both men and women can suffer from androgenetic alopecia, it is more common in men. Androgenetic alopecia accounts for roughly 9 out of 10 cases of hair loss in men. The two most common causes of male pattern baldness are age and heredity.
If you suffer from baldness, you are not alone. By the mid-30s, two-thirds of men have some degree of noticeable hair loss. By age 50, 85% of men have significant hair thinning. In roughly 25% of men, the process of balding starts at an early age, before they are 21 years old. It is estimated that 1 out of 2 women will experience noticeable hair loss.
Although it is not a health concern by itself, hair loss can sometimes be indicative of an underlying medical condition. Also, baldness can lead to a range of emotional problems, including an effect on relationships and professional life. Various treatments for baldness are available, both surgical and non-surgical.
Medications for Hair Loss
Currently, the FDA has approved two medications to prevent hair loss and restore hair growth in people suffering from baldness.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a vasodilator (a medication that causes blood vessels to expand). It is used to treat high blood pressure. Minoxidil is also used to slow balding by stimulating hair growth on the scalp in men and women. It is available as a solution or liquid that is applied directly to balding areas of the scalp, usually twice a day. Minoxidil works best in younger people (those who are under the age of 40) and in those with recent hair loss. It does not improve a receding hairline and it does not cure baldness. Most people need at least 4 months of treatment before they see results. It can take up to a year of minoxidil treatment to notice an improvement in hair loss. You have to continue using minoxidil to maintain the results if you see an improvement. If you stop using the medication, the new hair that grew is lost in a few months after the drug is stopped. You should use minoxidil as prescribed or according to the label instructions. It is worth noting that using more than the recommended amount will not lead to faster hair growth and can cause side effects.
Finasteride (Propecia) is a medication that belongs to a category of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in men. Finasteride is also an FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss. It is only used in men – it cannot be used to treat hair loss in women or children. The medication works by blocking the formation of a male hormone that stops scalp hair from growing. Finasteride is available as a tablet to be swallowed by mouth, usually once daily. It can take 3 months or more for you to see improvement with finasteride treatment because the medication works slowly to prevent hair loss. You can expect noticeable improvement after about 1 year of treatment. If hair loss treatment with finasteride has not worked in the first 12 months, it is unlikely to help. Your doctor can suggest other treatment options. It is worth noting that finasteride only slows hair loss as long as you are taking the medication. If you notice improvement with the medication, you will need to continue taking it to maintain the results. If you stop taking finasteride, you will slowly lose the hair you grew back over approximately 12 months.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Hair Loss
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available over-the-counter as a solution or foam at drug stores and pharmacies. You should apply minoxidil to a dry scalp and use the amount indicated on the label or as advised by your doctor. Wash your hands after using the medicine to avoid transferring it to other parts of the body. Do not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after applying minoxidil. Do not use a hairdryer as it can make the treatment less effective. Let minoxidil dry for 2-4 hours before going to bed as it can stain your clothing or bedding.
Common Side Effects of Baldness Treatment Medications
Possible side effects of minoxidil include scaling, flaking, dryness, itching, irritation, and a burning sensation in the scalp. Less commonly, it can cause acne, facial hair growth, red skin, and swelling. It can occasionally lead to increased hair loss. More serious side effects of minoxidil include swelling of the face, hands, or ankles, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, and weight gain. You should speak to your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious symptoms.
Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain an erection), decreased libido (sexual desire), ejaculation problems, pain in the testicles, and depression. More serious side effects include breast changes, including lumps, pain, or nipple discharge, itching, rash, hives, face or lip swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious symptoms.
Common Questions
What causes hair loss?
Heredity is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women (male and female pattern hair loss). Another common cause of hair loss is age (hair growth slows as we get older). Cancer treatment, childbirth, medical conditions like thyroid disease, mental stressors, scalp infections, and hormonal imbalance can also lead to hair loss. Other potential causes of hair loss are damage due to hair treatments and hairstyles that pull the hair excessively. Sometimes, hair loss is a side effect of medications.
Does wearing wigs, toupees, or hats encourage hair loss?
Wigs, toupees, and hats can sometimes lead to hair loss by causing breakage due to friction if they are too tight.
Can I get a discount on baldness treatment with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including hair loss medications—as long as it is an over-the-counter formulation or you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
2. https://www.americanhairloss.org/men_hair_loss/introduction.html
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
5. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689003.html
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/minoxidil-topical-route/precautions/drg-20068750?p=1
7. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
Common Baldness Treatment Health Medications
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