There are basically just two approved hair loss treatment components that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration which are quite well known amonst the public as Minoxidil and Finasteride. If use is started early when hair thinning hair loss is noticed, then for many people, these products appear to halt hair loss.
It must be borne in mind that these products were not originally designed for the hair loss arena, but other areas of medicine. The side effects are those noticed from administration of these drugs, and in some people may show indications of side effects.
Minoxidil is a drug originally introduced to treat high blood pressure. It was discovered by accident that one of the side effects was hair growth in places such as the forehead, cheeks and on the back of the hands. By applying Minoxidil topically to places where hair growth is desired, some users have had success in regrowth. It is particularly effective in treating male pattern baldness.
It is marketed under the commercial name of
Rogaine, and Minoxidil can be taken internally or applied topically and is approved for both men and women. However, minoxidil will not miraculously restore a full head of hair on a totally bald scalp. Also, any hair that grows with minoxidil use will be lost if the drug treatment is stopped.
Finasteride was originally used to treat enlarged prostate glands. As with Minoxidil, a side effect was hair growth. Finasteride was approved as a treatment for male pattern baldness by the FDA in 1997. Finasteride works by lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, the only medically known way to stop hair loss. Finasteride lowers DHT levels by as much as 60 percent in some cases. For more on DHT and hair loss this see the front home page on this site.
Finasteride is largely marketed under the name Propecia, it is a tablet that inhibits the active male hormone in the hair follicle, thereby blocking the process of male-pattern baldness. However, unlike minoxidil, finasteride is not approved for use by women. In fact, women of childbearing age are strongly cautioned against even handling the medication because of the risk of birth defects in unborn children.
Provillus is not an FDA-approved product as it stands as a brand name , but it does contain Minoxidil along with several other herbs, minerals and vitamins. Included ingredients are magnesium, vitamin B-6, pumpkin seed meal and saw palmetto berries. While this are nutritional supplements that may have properties that are of benefit to the body they individually have not been proven to contribute to hair loss prevention. These additions naturally raise the price of Provillus beyond the single component of the FDA-approved drug it contains, Minoxidil.
You will find many products advertised on the internet with great claims to stop the progression of hair loss. Because their effectiveness has not been approved by the FDA they can not be recommended.
There are hair care products like NIOXIN which will help to keep your scalp in optimum condition and contribute to your hair looking thicker.
As they say – Buyer Beware – when it comes to spending your money on unproven hair loss treatments.
www.thinninghairsecrets.com
Tags: FDA, Finasteride, minoxidol, propecia, Rogaine, Thinning Hair