In general, baldness is difficult to cure, especially if it is caused mainly by genetic factors. However, treatments are available for hair thinning and hair loss problems to help promote hair growth and ward off hair thinning. For some temporary types of alopecia, hair growth often resumes spontaneously. The effectiveness of medications to treat hair thinning and hair loss varies significantly among individuals depending on the cause and severity of alopecia. No supplement or prescription drug works with 100% success rate. Traditional herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years, and have been anecdotally known to work with varying efficacy depending on the response of the individual. "Anecdotal" observation of efficacy and safety are based on large population and over long period of time. However, these anecdotal "data" are not accepted as objective, scientific data. They remain to be tested by placebo controlled clinical trials and subjected to statistical analysis. There are a few drugs currently approved by the FDA for treatment of alopecia. Minoxidil is sold in the brand name Rogaine, an over-the-counter drug, which is approved for the treatment of hair loss. Rogaine is a liquid, 2% or 5% solution of minoxidil, and rubbed on scalp twice a day for seveal months. 20-30% of the users experience varying degrees of hair regrowth. Slower rate of hair loss is observed in more than 40% of the users. The use of minoxidil often results in thinner and lighter hair than original, sometimes resembling baby hair. Side effects including headache, diarrhea, dryness and irritation of the scalp may occur. The growth of new hair ceases soon after the discontinuation of the use of minoxidil. Finasteride is a prescription drug marketed under brand names Propecia and Proscar, which purport to treat male pattern baldness, and are taken orally in pill form for several months up to a year for visible positive effects. Like minoxidil, success rate is modest and limited: some people taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss and new hair growth. Like minoxidil, the hair growth effect ceases with the discontinuation of Finasteride. Finasteride works by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase that the converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and is an important factor in male hair loss. Saw palmetto berry extract does the same, with little side effects. Side effects of finasteride include reduced libido and sexual function. Finasteride has neither been shown to be effective for women nor is approved for use by women of childbearing age. |