By the age of 30, about 25% of men start losing their hair because of male pattern baldness. Some men embrace balding with shaving cream and a razor. Other men are reluctant to show their naked head to the world. They try hiding bald spots with new hair styles while quietly gasping as another bunch of hair disappears down the shower drain.
Luckily, there are treatments to help men battle hair loss. By searching the internet, however, one could quickly become intimidated by all the hair loss treatment options. From strange “natural” remedies to styling products promising a fuller head of hair, it seems like just about everyone wants to get their hands on your wallet to help with hair loss. Unfortunately, a lot of the methods don’t have scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Here are the top three hair loss treatments that actually work:
Finasteride (Propecia)
Finasteride is a pill that helps inhibit the enzyme converting testosterone to DHT. Men’s hair follicles shrink if they are sensitive to DHT. The more they shrink, the harder it will be for hair to grow back.
You can get Finasteride from a doctor or dermatologist. Be careful buying it online, because it is easy to get scammed. You take the pill daily or every other day. Users report hair regrowth between three months to a year. It also helps prevent losing more hair.
Some report sexual side effects with this medication, but this is a minority of Finasteride’s users.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
This topical, FDA approved treatment is very effective for treating hair loss. Minoxidil stimulates hair follicles to grow hair. When applied, Minoxidil widens blood vessels to bring more oxygen and nutrients to follicles.
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication available anywhere. It is sold as a liquid or foam. You apply Minoxidil to your scalp twice a day. Results are typically observed 2 to 6 months into treatment. This medication needs to be used continually if you want it to stop your hair loss.
There are some generic brands to help you save money. Do your research and find out what works best for you and your budget.
Nizoral (Ketoconazole)
Ketoconazole was originally marketed as an anti-dandruff shampoo. Studies have shown this ingredient can also help treat male pattern baldness. This is because Ketoconazole blocks DHT from attaching and killing hair follicles while reducing sebum (another hair follicle destroyer) production on the scalp.
There is an 1% over-the-counter and a 2% doctor-prescribed version. Generally, men use the shampoo once a week to every other day. It is applied like regular shampoo, but it must be kept in the hair for five to ten minutes.
By using the product alone, you may not see huge results. When combined with finasteride and/or minoxidil, this product could increase the effectiveness of these treatments.
What’s Your Next Step?
Since there are many different reasons why men lose hair, it is best to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist to find the best treatment. Don’t procrastinate! The most effective thing you could do to stop hair loss is begin treating it as soon as possible.
