Hair Loss can occur due to a host of reasons. Most cases require medical treatment before even considering a hair transplant or any procedure.

You should also know that medical hair loss treatment is always a temporary solution. For the men who are seeking a short term, say 2-3 years of hair growth, this serves a good purpose. There are varieties of medications available for treating baldness, some of them really helpful, some of them not so. The obvious question all the individuals ask is: ‘Will medical hair loss treatment completely cure me of genetic baldness?’. And the obvious answer is no. Medical hair loss treatment will only delay the whole process or hold baldness in its existing stage.  But for some individuals who do not want surgery or in whom, the hair loss is in very early stages, medical hair loss treatment gives “ok” results. Medical hair loss treatments consist of using various medications in combination to stop the progression of hair loss and cause hair growth. FYI: This will not work at all for very high grades of baldness, where, hair follicles are completely lost.

1.   Minoxidil solution

Minoxidil is used to stimulate hair growth and to slow balding. It is most effective for people who have early stages of baldness. It does not cure baldness; most new hair is lost within a few months after the drug is stopped. This is why people looking for hair growth on a short term basis have to use this medication for as long as they want hair. For example, if you want a good density of hair on the scalp for 3 years, then you will have to use minoxidil for 3 years! Minoxidil is available as lotion/spray/gels/foams etc in the concentrations ranging from 2% -12.5%. Typically the hairs which were sparse initially start getting thicker and denser in about 3-4 months. But this effect lasts only till the time you will use the medication. On stopping the medication, you will start noticing hair fall in about 2-3 months. Side effects with minoxidil are usually minimal. Minoxidil comes in an alcoholic solution and it may cause dryness, increase in the dandruff and itching. Some people (rare) may get allergic reaction to the minoxidil, in which case we have to discontinue its use. Few patients get a feeling of light-headedness, dizziness and palpitation with this medication.

Minoxidil is also sometimes started after a hair transplant: https://www.nuleafhair.com/minoxidil-after-hair-transplant/

2.   Finasteride

Basic problem with the hair loss in men is that hair in the central and frontal areas are more susceptible to male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is converted to dihidrotestosterone (DHT) a much more potent form in the hair follicles. This conversion to DHT is a crucial step as simple testosterone won’t damage the hair follicles. DHT, however, is very damaging to the hair follicles. This conversion from testosterone to DHT is carried out with an enzyme know as 5α Reductase. This is where finasteride comes in picture. Finasteride inhibits the 5α Reductase type II enzyme and prevents testosterone to convert into DHT and hence prevents the main process which causes hair damage and hair loss. That is why finasteride is very effective in treatment of male pattern baldness. This effect of finasteride will last as long as finasteride is taken. It is available as 1mg tablet to be taken daily. However, we cannot use this medication for prolonged periods of time as many potential side effects come in picture.

3.   Dutasteride

Dutasteride is very similar to the drug finasteride. However, dutasteride also blocks 5α Reductase type I along with 5α Reductase type II. This is likely to make it even more potent than finasteride. But due lack of safety profile and lack of long term studies, it is not clear whether dutasteride is more potent than finasteride.

4.   Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is an herbal extract which is used to treat hair loss. No real data supporting its use in male pattern baldness. However, individuals who use this to treat their baldness have claimed that it works.

Do check these too: Top Hair Loss Treatment known to work