Non–Surgical Hair Restoration

If you are searching for the right approach to hair restoration, you have, I’m sure, noticed some of the hundreds of products that claim to be “miracle cures” for baldness. Drug treatment of hair loss is a multimillion-dollar industry. With my personal interest in finding out what works and what doesn’t, I have made it my mission to read and review studies, for my own education, and to pass on my findings to fellow hair loss sufferers! Almost every patient I see has tried some topical or oral “cure” that he has read about in a magazine or on the Internet. The advertising budget of these companies seems to be bottomless, but the promise of these “miracle cures” is unproven.

Minoxidil
Minoxidil does not grow new hair but causes shrunken hair follicles (those that are almost dead) to grow into terminal follicles. There have been a number of clinical trials on Minoxidil, all of which have shown it to work (grow more hair) compared to a placebo. It has also been shown that the 5% Minoxidil solution grows more hair than the 2%. These results have inspired me to develop a new 6% solution in my new hair restoration formula.

This drug is safe and effective for men and women. Side effects are minimal, but include scalp irritation, and rarely, when the drug enters the bloodstream, slightly lower blood pressure, headaches and dizziness. Also, the patient may experience hair growth in areas other than his head. All of these side effects are reversible if the drug is discontinued.

Finasteride
The main cause of hair loss is DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Finasteride works by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT, reducing DHT levels by up to 75%.

The well-known Finasteride product is Propecia. In a study, over 80% of the balding individuals who used it experienced rejuvenated growth, and about 5% commented that their improvement was dramatic.

As well as increasing the number of hairs, Propecia increases the shaft diameter of existing hairs. Most of the improvement, taking Finasteride, will come in the first year of use. Since the main purpose of this drug is to prevent further hair loss, I usually suggest it as a first-line treatment for younger patients, for whom maintaining the hair they have is of prime importance.

The studies mentioned above did show that there are some limited side effects. A very small number (less than 2%) showed erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, although the same complaints were found in about 1% of patients taking placebos. These effects are completely reversible if the drug is discontinued, and over half of patients who continued the drug with these side effects saw them disappear.

Dutasteride
Known commercially as Avodart, it was introduced to the market recently, and is more effective than Finasteride for reducing DHT. Studies have found a 90% reduction of DHT compared to a 75% reduction with Finasteride. It was developed by GlaxoSmith-Kline for treating enlarged prostates, but has yet to be FDA approved for hair loss. Although some studies show a more effective growth pattern compared to Finasteride, it also has about double the incidence of side effects. For patients who choose to take this “off label”, I usually suggest taking 1 mg twice a week. Dutasteride remains in the bloodstream for almost a week, so there is no need to take a daily dose.

Anti-androgens
I would not suggest this drug to any patient of mine. The possible side effects limit the use of these medications, but since I get many inquiries about Anti-androgens, I will mention them here. These anti-testosterone drugs are for females only. They work to lower testosterone levels and reverse the causes of hair loss in females. They are not recommended for males because of their side effects and the fact that DHT inhibitors do a better job with fewer side effects. About the only use for this drug is in a topical solution. Nizoril is a shampoo containing Ketoconazole, an anti-androgenic that is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Its effectiveness is about the same as 2% Minoxidil. To anyone who comes to me considering taking anti-androgens, I advise not doing so and taking Minoxidil instead.

Herbal hair restoration remedies
Herbal hair restoration products are extremely popular, and very often I get asked my opinion on this large group of products. The difference between herbal treatments and medical options such as Minoxidil is that the well known medical products have gone through the rigorous testing that allows them to be FDA approved. During these tests, half of a largegroup of people take the drug in question, while the other half takes a sugar pill placebo. A test of this scale gives us accurate information about a drug’s side effects, efficiency and effectiveness. See my book The Complete Hair Replacement Guide for detailed information on a n umber of herbal remedies as well as on the following treatment methods:

• Dieting and vitamin supplements
• Laser or light therapy
• Topical DHT inhibitors

Source: Excerpts from Dr Jones’ book The Complete Hair Replacement Guide