Male pattern baldness is a grooming problem that isn’t going away anytime soon. Approximately 7.4 million men in the United Kingdom have thinning hair at any given time, and two-thirds of all men will experience male pattern baldness during their lifetime.
Male pattern baldness, while not considered medically dangerous, can affect a man’s confidence, self-esteem, and sense of identity, among other mental health issues.
Androgenetic alopecia is another name for this condition, which is typically caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. Simply put, DHT (full name: dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that changes the hair follicles on the scalp, causing the hair they produce to become progressively smaller, shorter, and paler until production completely ceases, leaving bald patches.
Hair loss treatments for men are becoming more popular, but there are an alarming number of treatments available that do very little to stop or reverse hair loss. While surgical procedures are becoming more popular, the cost of a high-quality hair transplant remains out of reach for many people.
To prevent further hair loss and promote regrowth, only two clinically proven drug treatments are available. Minoxidil and finasteride (also known as Propecia).
Here’s a rundown of the most popular hair loss treatments if you’re looking for the best one for you and your lifestyle.
Finasteride/Propecia
Finasteride is the active ingredient of the well-known hair loss treatment Propecia UK. It is now available in a less expensive generic form.
Finasteride 1mg Tablets were released and re-branded as Propecia in 1997 as a proven treatment for male pattern baldness. It is still the most effective, scientifically proven treatment available today.
Simply put, it works by preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. Reduced DHT levels allow hair follicles that have been under attack to resume normal growth. Finasteride will have little effect on men who are nearly bald and thus have hair follicles that are beyond repair.
It is advised to take Finasteride 1 mg tablets once daily, with or without food. They must be consumed whole, without being crushed or divided. If you take more than the recommended daily dose, the tablet will not work faster or more effectively.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Regaine, stimulates sluggish hair follicles, causing them to grow larger and thicker over time. Minoxidil promotes and lengthens hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and increasing follicular size and hair shaft diameter. The best approach, however, is to combine finasteride and minoxidil. Minoxidil increases blood supply, which means it can help Finasteride penetrate hair follicles and reduce DHT levels.
Alpecin Shampoo
This is a caffeine-based treatment with zinc, vitamin A, and niacin as well. Several small research papers show that after a few months of regular use, Alpecin can improve hair strength and increase activity in hair roots.
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