Everyone loses hair on a daily basis, but when you lose hair more than average, it’s time to start thinking about how you can stop your hair loss from going any further. As your NC Hair Loss Center, we deal with plenty of hair loss sufferers who want to stop or manage their hair loss without surgery in the North Carolina area. One solution that Dr. Cooley recommends is hair loss medication. There are only two FDA-approved medications for hair loss – Propecia and Rogaine. Let’s talk about what causes hair loss and how these medical treatments can help stop ongoing hair loss or even regrow hair.
Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss
Pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia affects a vast number of individuals across all age groups. For men, a receding hairline, bald patches, and thinning hair on the top of the head are common symptoms of male pattern baldness.
Women may notice thinning on the top or all over their head and a widening part. Several factors can contribute to hair loss, including poor nutrition, thyroid issues, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and tinea capitis.
Although a cure for hair loss is yet to be discovered, ongoing research has found that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production plays a critical role in hair thinning. Medicated products like Propecia and Rogaine for women aim to control and reduce the effects of DHT, potentially preventing further hair loss and reinvigorating miniaturized follicles.
How Propecia and Rogaine Works to Manage Ongoing Hair Loss
Propecia is an oral medication that was originally designed to treat enlarged prostates in men, but it has been found to help with hair loss. The active ingredient in Propecia, finasteride, reduces the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced in the scalp – the hormone that contributes to hair loss by shrinking hair follicles. By reducing DHT levels, Propecia can reactivate dormant hair follicles, leading to hair regrowth.
On the other hand, Rogaine contains minoxidil, an ingredient initially intended for managing high blood pressure. The unexpected side effect of increased hair growth led to its repurposing as a hair loss treatment for both men and women.
The foam or liquid form of Rogaine is applied to the scalp once or twice daily, and with regular use, can slow down further hair loss, helping patients to retain more of their existing hair.
The dilating effects of Rogaine on blood vessels nourishing hair follicles in the scalp, directly counteract the DHT-induced follicle-shrinking effects, promoting hair growth and thickening.
Despite this, Rogaine and Propecia cannot completely halt hair loss, but can significantly reduce its rate of occurrence. A long-term treatment plan comprising both Rogaine and Propecia is advised by Dr. Cooley to achieve the best approach for managing hair loss and maintaining hair regrowth.
Don’t Let Hair Loss Takeaway Your Confidence.
We don’t want you to suffer in silence. As someone who has suffered from hair loss himself, Dr. Cooley will walk you through your entire hair restoration journey. Call us now to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cooley at Cooley Hair Center to explore your options. We serve patients in North Carolina, including Charlotte, Lancaster, Mint Hills, Matthews, Monroe, Gastonia, and more.
