Cure For Baldness

Men with hair loss are always searching for a cure for baldness. There is definitely a high demand for a baldness cure, and there are a number of options from which to choose. Some are more effective than others. Let’s take a look at some of the available options for a baldness cure.

Minoxidil

The first product approved by the FDA for treating hair loss was minoxidil. Minoxidil was originally developed to treat high blood pressure, but researchers found that it also stimulated hair growth in some people. They wondered if it would be a treatment for hair loss, and indeed it is.

Minoxidil is still used to treat high blood pressure, but it is available in a topical solution without a prescription to treat hair loss. It is not a cure for baldness for everyone but is effective in up to 60% of those who use it. Researchers don’t know why it works for some people but not others. They do know that it is more effective in those who still have some hair and that it works best on the top of the head, not for a receding hairline. It is not recommended for use on the beard area, eyebrows, chest, or other areas.

Finasteride (Propecia)

Finasteride was originally developed as a treatment for enlarged prostate glands, but like minoxidil, it was found to also cause hair growth in some people. While it is still used to treat enlarged prostates, it is used in lower doses to treat hair loss. It is an oral medication, and requires a prescription. Finasteride is recommended for men only, and pregnant or nursing women should not even touch the tablets because it can be absorbed through the skin and cause birth defects. It is a baldness cure in about 40 – 50% of men who use it.

Hair Transplants

In a hair transplant, a doctor takes a “plug” of hair from an area where hair is thick and surgically plants it in an area where hair is thin. Obviously, there must be an area where hair is thick in order for a hair transplant to be an option. It is generally a good choice for men, who tend to go bald on the top of the head. Women, who tend to have thinning hair all over, are often not good candidates for a hair transplant. When performed by a qualified surgeon, hair transplants are an effective cure for baldness.

Laser Treatments

This is a relatively new cure for baldness. In this baldness cure, light energy from 30 rotating positions is directed at the head, hitting 600 different places. It is meant to stimulate cell metabolism and repair damaged cells. The treatment often has to be repeated, sometimes as often as once a month. Laser therapy may be more effective than some other treatments for women, where hair loss is more diffuse. There is little data on its effectiveness, however.

When selecting a baldness cure, you should consider all of your options carefully. If you are considering Propecia, a hair transplant, or laser treatments, you’ll need to discuss those options with your doctor. But as you can see, there are a number of options for a cure for baldness.

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