Minoxidil

Currently, if you want to regrow hair, topical minoxidil is the only approved way to go. As Washenik explains, no one is quite certain how minoxidil, an oral medication originally approved to treat high blood pressure, works to grow hair.

To be effective, minoxidil must be used twice a day. It works better on those who are younger and whose hair loss is recent, according to clinical studies by Pharmacia& Upjohn.

Those studies show that 26 percent of men between 18 and 49 reported moderate to dense hair regrowth after four months of Rogaine treatment. An additional 33 percent had minimal hair regrowth. Almost 20 percent of women between 18 and 45 had moderate regrowth, while an additional 40 percent showed minimal regrowth.

A company spokesman said the research accounted for the fully pigmented hair fibers normally seen on the scalp and not vellus hair, which is more like peach fuzz. Many doctors, however, say the number of their patients who have as much success is much lower, and some find that only vellus hair appears.

"I have not been that impressed that it helps regrow hair," Kayne says. "I think that occurs in a very small minority."

One plus that Denise Cook, M.D., medical officer in FDA's division of dermatologic and dental drug products, points out is that patients report a decrease in shedding due to minoxidil use, though whether that perception is the result of fewer hairs being lost or more hairs being produced is unknown. Normally, you should lose only about 100 hairs a day.

One possible side effect of minoxidil is an itchy scalp. Another drawback is that it must be used for life or any regrown hair will fall out. Also, only those people losing hair on the crown, not in front, are candidates for regrowth.

Researchers are optimistic that more products to boost hair regrowth will be coming down the pike. For example, Proscar (finasteride), now used to treat enlarged prostate glands, has anti-androgen properties that may make it marketable as a hair-loss prescription, Washenik says. Theoretically, he says, if a drug can be targeted to halt the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the scalp region only, it could stop hair from falling out. He foresees combinations of medications as the wave of the future.

Are there side effects from Rogaine?

There are only minor side effects with Rogaine. But some users do experience certain problems such as scalp irritation, itching, and dandruff. However, this can be treated with a good shampoo like Nizoral or Neutrogena T-Gel. There may also be an increase in hair shedding at the start of the treatment. You shouldn’t panic, as this may actually be a signal that the treatment is working.

Due to the medication’s alcohol content, some users may develop a contact rash or irritated skin. And with excessive doses, some users may experience dizziness or a rapid heartbeat. However, with normal use these effects are uncommon.

Rogaine users with severe, refractory high blood pressure experienced some problems. One such problem was “hypertrichosis,” hair growth on the face or other bodily areas. This side effect appears in about 3-5 % of women who use the 2% solution, and higher among women using the 5% solution.

Rogaine as a Hair Loss Treatment

What is Rogaine?

Along with Propecia, Rogaine is one of only two drugs approved by the FDA for treating hair loss.

Minoxidil, (Rogaine’s active ingredient), was originally created as a drug for treating hypertension (high blood pressure). It was then discovered that one of its side affects was growing hair. Minoxidil was then tested for use as a topical application for regrowing hair. The results were sufficiently impressive that the FDA approved it as a treatment for hair loss.

How Rogaine works.
Rogaine works by revitalizing shrunken hair follicles, thus increasing their size. When you use Rogaine every day, your follicles may increase in size, and the growing phase may become longer. This may then produce longer, thicker hairs.

Rogaine is a clear alcohol-based solution and should be applied to a person’s thinning area with its supplied dropper or spray twice a day.

The solution is approved and available in two strengths -- Regular (2%) and Extra Strength (5%). Individual users of regular strength Rogaine have claimed success rates of 30-40%. Meanwhile, users of Extra Strength Rogaine have claimed success rates of 50-60%. Currently, the average price for a 2oz. bottle of Rogaine is about $20-30 per month. Minoxidil is also available as a generic and can be purchased over the counter without prescription.

It’s important to note that Rogaine (minoxidil) does not cure baldness and scientists have been unable to determine just how it works. What is known is that Rogaine increases the blood flow to the areas of the scalp that surround these balding areas. Currently some researchers believe that Rogaine (minoxidil) works by opening the follicle’s potassium channels located in the cells. It’s theorized that these channels, when opened, may regulate hair growth.

Rogaine can’t grow hair on completely bald scalps or in the frontal hairline areas. It has been found to be somewhat effective in maintaining or growing hair in the crown area (the top back of the head). However, Rogaine is only effective at delaying hair loss. It is also more effective in women than in men. And again, the reasons for this are not understood.

Stem Cell Hair Loss Treatment

Stem cells are special cells that act as a repair system of body tissues like intestine, hair follicles, blood capillaries, stomach etc. Stem cells are found in all regenerative organs, that is, organs that regenerates themselves after specific time period. There are two types, embryonic and adult stem cells. Stem cells multiply through meiotic cell division. Stem cells can be transferred to damaged tissue for regeneration. Conclusively, stem cells are essential for regeneration of tissues of various body organs.

Hair follicles are tiny tubular cavities made up of epithelial tissues. For healthy hair growth, each hair follicles undergoes its growth cycle. At some time, most of the hair follicles are resting period and soon enters the growth phase again. But in most cases, hair follicles do not get into growth phase and get destroyed. At this stage hair loss begins, and you notice hair thinning that laster leads to complete baldness. Stem cells are responsible to stimulate the hair follicles to regenerate and enter into growth phase after resting phase. Studies show transplantation of stem cells promotes hair growth.

A study was conducted at the university of Pennsylvania School of Medicine for isolating the stem cells for hair growth. According to researchers, stem cells near the follicle bulb are responsible for healthy growth of hair follicles and hair shafts. To test the theory, they done a experiment on mice. They isolated the stem cells from hair follicles of healthy and normal growing mice and transferred them to an adult mice having poor hair growth.

Within four weeks, the stem cells made new hair follicles that produced new hair shafts. Researchers concluded two facts:

Stem cells are responsible for tissue regeneration

Stem Cells Transplantation helps promote tissue regeneration

From the experiment, it was proved that transplantation of stem cells effectively helps regrow damaged hair follicles. Although it is effective way, but it is not possible in human for at least next 10 years.

It is very amazing news for people who have completely lost their hair and tried several different products and their problem still persists. Another similar method of hair regrowth is hair follicles grafting and transplantation, but transplantation of stem cells would be more advance technology. Although hair grafting is effective, sometime hair loss reoccur even after follicle transplantation. It is expected that stem cell transplantation would be a hundred times more effective and hair loss will not reoccur after the treatment.

Hair Loss Solutions - How to Help Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair

Hair loss and male-pattern baldness is an affliction suffered by thousands of men, and can be a real source of insecurity and embarrassment for those not ready to lose their hair or shave their head. Even worse, and more devastating are the younger cases where the hair loss process begins long before a man even reaches his thirtieth birthday. So what are your options if you are one of these men, uncontrollably losing your hair before your time?

Well, you can do what many others do – shave your head for the sake of uniformity. Lots of men look great with a shaved head – it just fits their personality and style, and they seem comfortable that way. For those unwilling to give up on their hair, there are hairpieces or plugs, neither of which have been perfected to the point of being undetectable, and both having a societal stigma as being somewhat tacky and undesirable.

The other option, of course, is to try one of the hair loss products that several reputable manufacturers now offer, both in prescription and nonprescription form. While there is still no “magic pill” that can unflinchingly promise every man (and woman) who takes it will re-grow their hair, there are some very promising and effective hair loss products and treatments currently on the market and also in development.

Propecia, Rogaine (Monoxadil), Avacor and Proxiphen are just a few of the top prescription and nonprescription hair loss products on the market today, and they’ve all had varying degrees of success in re-growing their client’s hair. Since the demand for hair loss products is so great, there have been many non-prescription hair loss alternatives recently introduced in an effort to offer men (and women) a more economical and convenient alternative to re-grow hair and prevent further hair loss.

There are also several vitamins that have been specially formulated both for thinning hair and to promote the speedy growth of healthy, shiny hair. Vitamins for thinning hair and faster hair growth and re-growth are usually a varying combination of several key amino acids, biotin, vitamins B6 and E, and zinc. Many who take vitamins of this nature do report thicker, more lustrous and healthy hair, but if your goal is to actually re-grow hair and not just thicken thinning hair, then you would probably want to consider a more serious hair loss supplement or treatment that specifically targets balding and hair loss.

Here's a little tip to help stimulate hair growth – massage the scalp. This is an age-old hairstylist tip to help stimulate the hair follicles, unclog any blocked oil glands in the scalp, and help promote a healthy scalp and new, healthy hair growth. Plus, it’s relaxing and it feels good, so it’s not such a chore!

Hair loss supplements can range from pricey to reasonable, tested and untested, and clinically proven vs. not clinically proven. You have to use good judgment and do a little homework on the internet, or by reading consumer reviews, testimonials and surveys to see what really should work best for your situation. Some even offer money back guarantees or some sort or money back for unused portions.

Now, let’s talk about being proactive in preventing future hair loss. Many times, the underlying cause for premature hair loss and male pattern balding is hereditary, but it can also be brought on by a hormonal imbalance of the male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens. Correcting a hormonal imbalance many times can stop hair loss. This example can be seen in women who notice hair loss shortly after they’ve had a baby. The cause for this is a drop in hormones that kept much more hair on the head than normal during pregnancy because the levels of this hormone are unusually high at this time.

Some medications can also cause or aggravate hair loss. Typically these medications are blood thinners, gout medication, chemotherapy medications for cancer, too much vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants. Avoid tight or “pulling” hairstyles like high or tight ponytails and cornrows, and also stay away from harsh chemical treatments such as perms and other potentially volatile, damaging hair treatments.

Typical hair loss treatments, prescription and nonprescription, usually take about six months before you can tell they are working, so patience is a must. There is no overnight fix to hair loss unfortunately. As long as you are comfortable with your chosen hair loss remedy, and have planned a preventative and maintenance course of action, that’s really all that matters.

How Can i Measure Hair Loss

A standardized 60-second hair count is a reliable method when assessing hair shedding, according to an article released on June 16, 2008 in the Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

According to the study, assessment of shedding, as opposed to baldness, is not standardized across the medical profession. It is widely believed that it is normal to shed 100 hairs each day, which is based on the assumption that the average scalp has 100,000 hairs, and 10% of these are in the resting phase. However, this popular opinion has not been validated scientifically, and does not account for different rates based on age or gender.

In order to investigate the shedding of hairs, Carina A. Wasko, M.D., of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and colleagues investigated 60 healthy men, half aged between 20 and 40 years, and half aged between 41 and 60 years, who showed no evidence of baldness, or alopecia. The participants were given identical combs and the directions to wash their hair with the same brand of shampoo for three consecutive mornings. On the fourth day, they were asked to comb their hair forward for 60 seconds over a cloth of contrasting color before shampooing, then count the number of hairs that were shed. This process was repeated for three consecutive days, then repeated in eligible participants six months later.

From these results, the researchers were able to summarize. Between the ages of 20 and 40 years, between 0 and 78 hairs were shed, with an average loss of 10.2 hairs per 60 second test. Between the ages of 41 and 60, between 0 and 43 hairs were shed, with an average loss of 10.3 hairs per 60 second test. These results were consistent from day to day for all participants. The authors write: "When repeated six months later in both age groups, the hair counts did not change much. The hair counts were repeated and verified by a trained investigator, with results similar to those of subject hair counts."

The authors conclude that this test is a reasonable standardized measure for hair loss. "In summary, the 60-second hair count is a simple, practical and objective tool for monitoring conditions associated with hair shedding," they say. "Low intrapatient variability demonstrates that dependable results over an extended period of time are obtainable. The similarity between investigator and subject hair counts indicates that patients can reliably count hairs." They also indicate the need for further experimentation: "Studies of the 60-second hair count in normal women and in the setting of hair disease still need to be performed."

Rob Hicks on Hair Loss

What happens?
Hair may start to disappear from the temples and the crown of the head at any time. For a few men this process starts as early as the later teenage years, but for most it happens in their late 20s and early 30s. A little thinning of the hair may be noticeable first, followed by wider hair loss allowing more of the scalp to become visible.

Some men aren't troubled by this process at all. Others, however, suffer great emotional distress associated with a lack of self-confidence and sometimes depression.

Why does it happen?
In male pattern baldness, which tends to be inherited, the hair is usually lost at the temples and the crown. This happens because of an excess of a chemical called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which causes the hair follicles to make thinner and thinner hair until they eventually pack up completely.

Other causes of hair loss include:

iron-deficiency anaemia
under active thyroid
fungal scalp infection
some prescribed medicines
stress


These are usually reversible.

Can I stop it?
If there's a reversible cause, it's normally possible to stop hair loss. For instance, if it's caused by anaemia you can stop hair loss by replenishing the body's iron stores.

A huge number of treatments have been tried to slow down and even reverse the process of male pattern hair loss - some are successful, others aren't. But many men find their hair loss slows down or stops for no apparent reason at a certain age anyway.

Should I see a doctor?
It's a good idea to ensure an illness isn't responsible, particularly if the hair loss is patchy rather than being in the typical male pattern distribution. Moreover, if the hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms (such as tiredness) then blood tests may be necessary.

Treatments
Wigs and hair transplants are, obviously, the most direct form of treatment. Different hairstyles can create the appearance of a fuller head of hair.
Herbal preparations that contain zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin E and other substances in various combinations can help.
Minoxidil is a lotion available from the pharmacist that you rub on to the scalp. It slows down the process of hair loss and can cause new hair growth but you have to keep on using it or it will stop being effective.
Finasteride (Propecia) is the latest drug treatment. It comes in tablet form and works by slowing down hair loss; it's also reported to cause new hair growth. In the UK it's only available on private prescription from your GP.

How Common is Hair Loss?

Hair loss alone is a natural occurring daily process experienced by all men; however it is only when the growth of hair follicles stops exceeding the shredding of old follicles that it becomes a problem.

An average male will lose between 50 to 150 hairs everyday but nearly all of this hair is regenerated as the hair follicle remains. Statistics show that more than 60% of all men will be affected by hair loss and some point in their lives.

How to Fight Hair Loss

You can reduce hair loss and put a stop to male pattern baldness without the use of expensive hair loss treatments. Hair loss affects about 3 out of every 5 men in America. With such a high degree of men experiencing baldness, many companies have profited through the use of various hair loss products claiming to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.

Some are prescription hair loss medications These commercial solutions to fight male patttern baldness and other causes of hair loss often times run very expensive and have many side effects. This has caused many men to look for ways to regrow hair naturally. There are many ways to stop hair loss without using these other hair treatments. Certain herbs have been clinically proven to prevent many hair loss causes.

One such herb is Saw Palmetto. Saw Palmetto is most popularly used to help maintain a healthy prostate gland in men but research has shown it to be a great fighter against hair loss. DHT is a hormone in the body that is the culprit for pattern baldness and loss of hair. DHT binds itself to cells in hair follicles and weakens them. The hair follicles eventually die and fall out resulting in male pattern baldness. Saw Palmetto taken in 1500mg daily blocks this hormone from attacking hair follicles.

Treatments for hair loss can also be found with Biotin. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's found in many multi-vitamin supplements. It promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails and works like food for hair follicles allowing them to grow strong. These are just a couple of natural herbs that promote regrowth of hair. Many more exist and can restore your hair permanently.

Don't waste another minute suffering from hair loss. Learn ways to restore hair growth and end baldness forever. Howard Litmon is a certified Dermatologist in hair, skin, and nail treatments.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Hair loss experienced by men that tends to run in families is called male pattern baldness. This hereditary hair loss condition generally begins when a man is in his early thirties (although it can start earlier or later in life) and results in permanent baldness.

Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause for hair loss in men. The resulting hair loss is irreversible and follows a consistent pattern with hair loss or hair thinning beginning at the front hairline or temples and progressing back towards the base of the skull. Male pattern baldness rarely results in the complete loss of hair on the scalp, instead the condition usually progresses until the top of the scalp is bare but hair remains in a horseshoe shape around the head following a line of growth from just above the ears.

Currently there is no way to prevent male pattern baldness from occurring and the exact causes are yet to be totally understood. However, medical doctors agree that androgenetic alopecia has both hormonal and genetic influences.

Hormonal Causes
Hair follicles in the scalp are stimulated into growth, shedding and resting phases by a multitude of hormones and enzymes. However, the most important hormones to the hair growth cycle are testosterone and DHT. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) a derivative of testosterone plays the biggest part in male pattern baldness.

During puberty, testosterone and DHT are responsible for simulating the enlargement and growth of hair follicles on the scalp, underarms, facial areas and pubic area. This stimulation causes the increased hair growth associated with puberty. However, these same hormones may cause the shrinking of hair follicles later in life. In cases of male pattern baldness the response to DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp seems to be more pronounced and the shrinkage helps support the breakdown of the follicle until it is no longer able to produce hair. This process is also helped along by genetics.

Genetic Causes
The hair follicles in men who suffer from male pattern baldness seem to be genetically predisposed to be more susceptible to the harmful effects of testosterone and DHT later in life. This hereditary weakness makes it possible for the DHT to cause restricted hair growth more easily and fully on the scalp. It is thought that this weakness of the hair follicle is passed down through DNA from generation to generation.

The genetic side of male pattern baldness can also help men better understand their chances of developing androgenetic alopecia and better understand how the condition will affect them personally. By studying the tendency for baldness on both the mother's side and father's side of the family a man can usually pinpoint his predisposition for hair loss. By determining if the men in the family tend to be bald, how severe their baldness is, what pattern the hair loss follows, and the age of initial hair thinning men will be able to predict their own baldness course and take steps to prepare for the eventual hair loss.

If male pattern baldness runs in your family you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment plans that can slow down the hair loss, surgeries that can replace the hair loss or options for covering the hair loss.

Introduction to Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness makes up about 95 % of all hair loss in men. Hair loss can affect every aspect of a man's life. It can affect everything from intimate relationships to professional life. Men have the illusion that hairiness is a manly quality. Lack of hair because of balding may make a man feel feminine. But on the other there are many women out there that find balding sexy too. So the sooner you start feeling better about your self the sooner you'll start to feel like a man.

There are many possible reasons for the loss of hair in men. Serious illnesses, reactions to medications, and extremely stressful times can all cause hair loss, but most hair loss in men can be blamed on heredity.

Men with male pattern baldness inherit hair follicles that have a certain genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydotestosterone). These sensitive hair follicles get smaller and shorten the lifespan of each affected follicle then the affected follicles stop producing hair. Hair that is sensitive to DHT has to be exposed to it for a long period of time.

The patterns that male pattern balding create are normally a receding hair line and thinning that starts from the crown and proceeds toward the back of the scalp. The temples and the top of the head are most sensitive. This pattern creates almost a circle around the head or a horseshoe shape around the head, often times there will be a patch on the top that is not sensitive and leaves a little thinned patch of hair on the top along with the horseshoe shape around the head.

Let's clear up some of the myths about men's hair loss. Wearing hats won't make a man loss his hair, so don't let your wife tell you other wise just because she doesn't like your favorite hat. Any hair products and playing with your hair isn't going to make it fall out either. And being in the sun will not cause your scalp and hair any harm either. There has also been myths about viral infections that cause hair loss, well this isn't true either.

There is also many different types of treatments and options for male pattern baldness. First of all, it is not a medical condition that is going to kill you or harm you in any way, so choosing to do something about it strictly up to you. There is hair transplantation, this is where productive healthy hair follicles are taken from an area and put in another area to slowly reconstruct the balding areas. Some scarring can occur. Scalp reduction is when balding areas of the scalp can be removed surgically to make the appearance of balding lessen or appear gone. There is a lot of risks involved with both procedures. Putting a lot of thought into it before is recommended.

There is also ways you can hide the appearance of balding if surgery seems a little extreme. A hair Piece or toupee can be made custom for covering the areas you need. Hair pieces can fade and loosen over time however. So it is very important to clean, color and tighten your hair piece if that's the route you're going to take.

There is also a product that is all natural that will prevent balding and make your existing hair healthier. Alterative Health Supplements offers Hairmax MD for men. It is applied to the scalp and it will promote good conditions on the scalp for hair growth. There are no chemicals, fillers, or steroids in Hairmax MD. There are no side effects from using Hairmax MD for men so it is perfectly safe and natural to use. Some of the natural ingredients in Hairmax are jojoba oil, lemon oil, aloe vera, and tea tree oil. These natural botanicals have been recognized for there great health benefits and providing nutrients to your scalp and follicles. Its as simple as massaging a few drops of Hairmax MD in the scalp where your hair is balding twice daily and get healthy great hair.