|
| MANAGE ECZEMA - PSORIASIS - ALOPECIA - DAMAGE HAIR & SCALP - DRY ITCHING HAIR & SKIN< |
| |
| CURRENT TREATMENT APPROACHES: |
| |
| |
Propecia or oral finasteride is one popular anti-androgenic drug currently being used to treat pre-mature balding. Propecia functions by inhibiting the effect of 5-alpha reductase (enzyme) on testosterone thereby preventing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Accumulation of DHT in the scalp is responsible for hair loss. Propecia, however, only can affect the androgen DHT on hair loss. Propecia will have no effect on estrogen type hormones since they are reductase. Propecia also does not increase the rate of hair hair growth but only prevents further hair loss due to undesirable hormonal effects. Individuals using Propecia for extended periods of time may experience impotence, loss of libido and reduced sperm counts.
Rogaine (minoxidil) is another popularly used medication for the treatment of male pattern baldness. This drug was originally developed to treat high blood pressure but was observed to stimulate the growth of hair on some parts of the body.
Large-scale clinical trials (http://members.aol.com/hairbook/treatment2.htm) involving thousands of participants have resulted in only marginal success at best with Rogaine for the treatment of male pattern baldness. After using Rogaine for 4 months 5% to 8% of patients was observed with moderate to marked hair growth on the balding vertex of the scalp. However, when compared to the control group using a placebo this figure was found to be statistically no different than the treated group. After 12 months, 39% of patients experienced moderate to marked hair growth. On the other hand 11% of those using a placebo reported an increase in hair growth, indicating that the real response rate is probably closer to 28%. From the study it can be concluded that it will take from 6 to 8 months before one will even be able to determine if using Rogaine will even have an effect on hair loss.
Successful treatment with Rogaine requires that the product be used for a lifetime. Discontinuing use of Rogaine will cause a regression to pretreatment stage of baldness in as little as 3 weeks. At present no agreed upon reason has been developed as to why Rogaine works but it has been postulated that it prevents some follicles' entry into the next anagen phase for long periods of time and thus keeps these follicles in active production.
Rogaine has the following side effects: itching and prickling, headaches, dizzy spells and, in some, heartbeat irregularities. Rogaine is not recommended for anyone who has heart trouble and its long- term safety in men over 49 remains unknown. It's safety in men over age 49 and its long-term safety remain unknown. |
| |
| ... back |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
