Baldness: How Close Are We To A Cure
Baldness is an accepted part of the aging process for some, and a source of distress for others. Hair loss affects millions of men and women, yet despite decades of research, a cure is still not available. Just how close are we to finding a magic bullet for baldness? Medical News Today take a look at the evidence.
Androgenetic alopecia which is more commonly known as male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss, affecting around 30 million women and 50 million men across the United States.
In men, hair loss begins above both temples and recedes over time to form an M shape. Hair also tends to thin at the crown and may progress to partial or complete baldness. In women, the hairline does not recede and rarely results in total baldness, but the hair does usually become thinner all over the head.
Male pattern baldness is hereditary and may be linked to male sex hormones. Male hair loss can start as early as during adolescence. It affects two thirds of men by age 35, and around 85 percent of men by the age of 50.
The causes of female pattern baldness are unclear. However, hair loss happens most frequently in women after menopause, which indicates that the condition may be associated with decreasing female hormones.
Combine It With Other Treatments
There is nothing to stop you from combining finasteride with minoxidil, the other FDA-approved treatment for male baldness. These two drugs do not interact, and results will typically be superior to either treatment on its own.
There are also various natural compounds you can try, some of which will be oral and others topical. Some of the most popular topical treatments are caffeine, castor oil, and various essential oils .
Usage Of Lllt Devices
LLLT is short for low-level laser therapy.
Youve probably seen these devices – they look like wands and by pointing them at the scalp, you can increase blood flow to hair follicles and aid in its growth. LLT has been cleared by the FDA as a certified method of treating hair loss, and combining it with Finasteride and Minoxidil improves results.
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How Long Does It Take Propecia To Work
Dr. Lopresti notes that Propecia must be used daily for at least 18 months to clinically assess the results of treatment. With that being said, patients can start seeing results as early as 3 or 4 months.
From there, Dr. Sieber says that the effects build up around 12 months before they begin to plateau. The hair is still being protected, but increased hair thickness may level out around 12 months or so, he says.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Finasteride is used alone or in combination with another medication to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy . Finasteride is used to treat symptoms of BPH such as frequent and difficult urination and may reduce the chance of acute urinary retention . It also may decrease the chance that prostate surgery will be needed. Finasteride is also used to treat male pattern hair loss Finasteride has not been shown to treat thinning hair at the temples and is not used to treat hair loss in women or children. Finasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride treats BPH by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.
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Can Propecia Stop Working
Yes, if you stop taking Propecia it will stop having an effect and hair loss will continue. You will have to keep taking Propecia for as long as you would like to halt your hair loss.
If youve been taking Propecia for some time and think its not working as well, please speak to your clinician. Taking more than 1 tablet a day will not make Propecia work faster or better, but may increase the chances of experiencing side effects.
When You Must Not Take It
Do not take FINASTERIDE-1MG if:
- you have an allergy to FINASTERIDE-1MG or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leafletSymptoms of an allergic reaction to FINASTERIDE-1MG may include skin rash, or swelling of the lips or face.
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
- the expiry date on the pack has passed.If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking FINASTERIDE-1MG, talk to your doctor.
Do not give FINASTERIDE-1MG to children or women.
Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant must not take FINASTERIDE-1MG, handle crushed or broken tablets or handle tablets with wet hands.
If the active ingredient in FINASTERIDE-1MG is absorbed after swallowing the tablet or through the skin by a woman who is pregnant with a male baby, it may cause the male baby to be born with abnormalities of the sex organs.
Whole tablets are coated to prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets haven’t been crushed or broken.
If a pregnant woman swallows FINASTERIDE-1MG, handles crushed or broken tablets or handles tablets with wet hands, her doctor must be consulted immediately.
FINASTERIDE-1MG is for use by men only.
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How Much Does Finasteride Cost
Most insurance policies will not cover finasteride. It may cost you anywhere from $70 to $120 per month for a 1mg dose for the branded Propecia.
The exact price will depend upon your location, pharmacy, dosage, and whether you have access to coupons or other discounts.
The price for generic finasteride is substantially lower, between $20 and $40 a month.
Does Finasteride Regrow Hair
As well as slowing or stopping hair loss, Finasteride also encourages hair regrowth. Hair can potentially grow stronger, thicker and faster than before.
It is worth noting that this medication wont dramatically change hair texture or quality however, many Finasteride users have reported hair regrowth and an increase in thickness.
To read for yourself what real users think of this treatment, you can go to our Finasteride customer reviews page. We gather this feedback using Trustpilot to ensure that customers can read honest, transparent reviews of all of the products we offer at The Independent Pharmacy.
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How Male Pattern Balding Works
Balding in men can occur at any point throughout their lives with up to 60% experiencing hair loss by the age of 50.
Known as androgenic alopecia, male pattern hair loss is normally a condition that is hereditary and linked to both genetics and hormones.
Hair grows from follicles. But, as balding and hair loss occurs, those follicles get smaller until little or less hair than previous grows from that spot. As the follicles shrink, hair gets thinner and shorter. This is known as miniaturization of hair follicles. Hair also falls out a lot faster compared to normal non-balding hair.
The science behind this stems from testosterone, which is then converted into another hormone known as Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. This hormone is the one that shrinks follicles and means the scalp generates less hair.
Benefits Of Finasteride Tablet
Despite the side effects, Finasteride is a popular and effective choice for treating hair loss and male pattern baldness. The major benefits of Finasteride tabet include
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Finasteride Side Effects & Interactions
Finasteride is a safe and effective medication thats used by millions of men around the world to treat and prevent male pattern baldness.
Most men who use finasteride dont experience any problems. However, a small number of men develop side effects while using finasteride, including some potential sexual side effects.
In clinical trials of finasteride, 1.3 percent of users experienced erectile dysfunction, 1.8 percent experienced a decrease in libido and 1.2 percent experienced an ejaculation disorder.
Other side effects associated with finasteride include changes in the breasts, such as increased size, lumps, discharge or pain, as well as testicular discomfort and depression.
Weve discussed these side effects, their risk and the steps you can take if you experience any issues while using finasteride in our guide to finasteride side effects.
Side Effects Of Hair Loss Medication
When using any topical products or taking oral medications, there may be side effects or possible interactions. If you are concerned about certain side effects or want to know if you can take a hair loss medication with other drugs, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects of topical hair loss treatments like minoxidil can include:
- darkening of body hair
- growth of body hair
- irritation and dermatitis on the scalp
Hair loss medications for men, such as finasteride and dutasteride, can have side effects related to sexual health, such as:
- low sex drive
- trouble getting an erection and ejaculating
- increased breast size
Side effects of spironolactone can include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- headache
Spironolactone can also be associated with developmental issues for a fetus. Avoid getting pregnant while taking it.
If you experience any side effects while taking hair loss medications, notify your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
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How Finasteride Works For Mphl
Finasteride belongs to a medication class called reductase inhibitors that works by avoiding the conversion effects of testosterone into the DHT, the hormone that is responsible for hair growth. For this reason, finasteride is also known as the DHT-blocker which blocks the hormone. This medication then stops the conversion of enzymes into hormones and hence, as a result, prevents hair loss completely.
The DHT hormone will only stay avoided as long as the finasteride is present in the body, this means the tablet of this medicine must be taken daily. Once you discontinue, the body will start the conversion of testosterone with DHT and as a result, the hair loss will continue.
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Even though it is a DHT-blocker, it shows effectiveness with continuous use and not overnight. It not only prevents hair loss but in some cases, also helps with hair growth. It is effective for hair growth in the crown and the middle of the head.
Furthermore, it is important to consider that finasteride is a strong medication that has its own side effects. If you do not see any positive results for 12 months or more, then it is encouraged to discontinue the use of this medicine.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are recommended to not use Finasteride for any treatment as it affects hormone levels.
Where Can I Buy Topical Finasteride Liposomal Gel In Canada
Topical finasteride liposomal gel is not widely available in Canadaâit is offered by only a handful of clinics. Even when it is available, some of those clinics have a waiting list of up to four months.
Essential Clinic is your easiest option to buy topical finasteride in Canada.
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Other Hair Loss Treatments In Development
Medical researchers continue to explore alternative treatments for hair loss.
For example, cyclosporine, originally used for transplant patients and people with autoimmune diseases, has been found to stimulate hair growth.
On a different front, platelet-rich plasma therapy is being investigated to treat baldness. The therapy is used to hasten healing in a variety of medical fields, including dentistry and orthopedics. In PRP therapy, a persons own blood is placed into a centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, containing growth factors, is then injected back into the patient. When PRP therapy is used for hair loss treatment, the plasma is injected directly into the patients hair follicles.
Another team of researchers is developing a device they are describing as a flexible, wearable photostimulator that has demonstrated the ability to grow hair on mice.
In Texas, researchers are looking at a protein known as KROX20 that purportedly tells skin cells to become hair and then to produce a protein that plays an important role in pigmentation of the hair.
Researchers elsewhere are examining possible genetic treatments, as well as treatments to generate stem cells.
I Am Not Seeing Any Results As My Hair Appears To Look The Same Even Though I Have Been Taking Finasteride For 3 Years
You are seeing results as the condition of male pattern hair loss is progressive. This means that it continues to progress with time. Studies show that 26% of terminal hairs are lost on average after 5 years. If you are seeing no change then the medication is reducing progression which is a positive result.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Finasteride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take finasteride at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take finasteride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are taking finasteride to treat BPH, you should know that finasteride may control your condition, but will not cure it. It may take at least 6 months before your symptoms improve. Continue to take finasteride even if you feel well. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor.
If you are taking finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss, it may take at least 3 months before you see any improvement because hair loss and growth happen slowly over time. However, you should expect to see improvement during the first 12 months of your treatment. If you have taken finasteride for 12 months and have not noticed any improvement, further treatment probably will not help. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue your treatment.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.