Hair Loss Medications

By Josh Riverside

If you are experiencing some hair loss, you can take medication to remedy the situation. Medications can slow the thinning process of the hair, help grow new hair, and maintain and promote the health of the existing hair.

You need to take note that hair loss medication needs to be taken continuously, as the effects are not permanent. Anytime medication is stopped, new hair will slowly fall out. And within a time span of one year, any benefit provided by the medication will be lost.

The most common medications for hair loss are minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil, more commonly known as Rogaine, can be purchased without a prescription. It is applied externally either by spraying or rubbing it on the scalp two times a day. Finasteride, more commonly known as Propecia, is a pill that can only be acquired with prescription.

This medication is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States because it has shown effects on the fetus that can lead to birth defects. When taking either of these medications, do not expect to grow a full head of hair again. Effectiveness of the medication is limited to the top of the head, but not the area around the forehead.

Specific medications taken when the immune system attacks hair follicles are corticosteroid and contact immunotherapy. Corticosteroid comes in ointment form, injection form, and oral form. The ointment is administered to the scalp. Corticosteroid is used to treat patchy hair loss and is administered by 1 cm. dosages many times over a 4-to-6 week time period.

Oral intake of this medication has shown the most promising result among the three forms; however, it is rarely recommended, as it has severe side effects. Even if contact immunotherapy is still in experimental stages, it is deemed to be the most effective treatment for severe alopecia areata.

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