Archive for the ‘Hair Loss’ Category

A Review of Results with Propecia after Five Years

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

One of the major claims of Propecia is that “Propecia maintains hair in eighty-three percent of men in a two year clinical trial for those who took one milligram daily.”  Has the level of success been maintained for the past three years? What are the consumer five year results of Propecia?

During the course of the study, some of the male participants took Propecia, while other men took a placebo. A placebo is a pill that does not contain any of the active ingredients of the medication being studied.

In five years, the men who took Propecia had an average of three-hundred more hairs that appeared in a one inch diameter area then those who took the placebo. From this stand point, it looks as if Propecia is a long-term successful treatment that combats hair loss.

Propecia, after five years, was still able to hold its number one title. The results were even more exciting for young men who had just started to notice a few hairs in the sink. Men who would have gone bald were able to keep their full head of hair. This is amazing news for anyone who is currently suffering from hair loss.

The results showed that if you wanted to re-grow hair, you could obtain greater results when Propecia was used in combination with another hair loss treatment, such as Rogaine.  Nonetheless, Propecia is a phenomenal hair loss treatment that can easily stand on its own two feet. Discuss your Propecia options with your doctor today.

Future Treatments for Hair Loss

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

Currently, scientists are working hard towards making hair loss a thing of the past. In fact, scientists are in the research stages of a new gene therapy. This type of therapy would alter an individual’s genetic vulnerability to hair loss. This would mean that people predisposed to male pattern baldness or hair loss could stop the problem before it even occurred.  However, this type of treatment is decades away from being implemented as an approved treatment for hair loss.

It is believed that, in the near future, drug treatments that inhibit the process of balding are much more realistic and promising. One of the drugs of the future was Propecia, which has been approved by the FDA to be taken orally by men. Propecia has not been approved for women or adolescents at this time.

Propecia is considered to be the most effective treatment  available today for stopping the occurrence of further hair loss and re-growing hair. In addition to Propecia, another hair loss treatment of the future, not yet approved by the FDA, is Dutasteride. This is a hair loss treatment that inhibits the production of DHT, one of the main causes of hair loss. Ninety percent of DHT levels have been reduced in just two weeks. This treatment is very similar to already approved Propecia.

Only time will reveal what scientists come up with next. Scientists are working around the clock to stop male pattern baldness.  For now, we have Propecia, which is highly effective for the vast majority of men.  However, the future holds many promising developments that could end male pattern baldness from occurring.

How is Male Pattern Baldness Diagnosed by a Physician?

Monday, December 24th, 2007

Most often, male pattern baldness is diagnosed solely based on the pattern and appearance of the hair. Your physician will evaluate the amount of hair loss you have, as well as look into your family medical history. This is because male pattern baldness is often an inherited trait.

Your physician may ask you questions about the commonness of male pattern baldness in your family. Once your physician has talked with you, a skilled dermatologist may examine, under magnification, your scalp. This will allow the dermatologist to evaluate the amount of reduction that is seen in the hair follicles. It is this assessment that is usually the main deciding factor regarding the right course of treatment to take.

There are medical clinics that advertise an expensive scalp biopsy or a hair analysis to diagnose hair loss. The only time that someone needs to have a scalp biopsy is to assess whether hair loss is poison induced - this is very rare. One should avoid these so-called “medical clinics” and seek the advice of their physician or a dermatologist that is board certified.

Oftentimes, depending on the amount of hair loss, a physician will recommend an oral treatment like Propecia. Propecia is a hair loss treatment that gets down to the root cause of the problem.  By blocking the hormones that cause hair loss, Propecia is highly effective at stopping any further hair loss from occurring. If you are concerned about hair loss, it is crucial that you talk with your physician. Only a physician can prescribe Propecia. The sooner you start your Propecia treatment, the better you – and your hair -will feel.

What to Do For Hair Loss That Occurs Before the Age of 25

Friday, December 21st, 2007

While hair loss is generally associated with middle-aged men, younger men can also experience the first signs of hair loss.  This is often difficult to accept for young men. 

A man who suffered from hair loss at the age of 21 said that the first advice his doctor provided was not to panic; male pattern baldness is a very common condition that is programmed into our genes. 

At times, a physician will request that a parent or a guardian become involved, first-hand, in the decision making process - especially if the patient is a minor. A minor that suffers from hair loss needs to discuss their concerns with both their parent and their physician. One of the keys to success, for a minor, is that there is close parental support in choosing a hair loss regime, such as Propecia.

If you are under the age of 25 and are suffering from hair loss, it is crucial that you talk with you physician and determine if Propecia is right for you. Hair loss is a medical condition that must be treated in order to prevent further hair loss. People consider their hair to be a big part of their image and who they are. Take action before it is too late, and more damage is done to your hairline.

Many physicians will recommend a hair treatment program. Oftentimes, this type of program is extremely aggressive and uses a combination of effective hair treatments. A physician may recommend injections to stimulate the growth of hair, hair restoration, a DHT inhibitor, and other topical solutions.

Propecia works well with other hair loss treatments. When you talk with your doctor, ask him or her if Propecia is right for you. Propecia has helped thousands of men, young and old, re-grow new hair and regain their confidence.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Physician Before Taking Generic Propecia?

Thursday, December 20th, 2007

The Internet has made it very easy for people to order generic Propecia at discount prices. Before you order generic Propecia, it is important that you ask your doctor the following questions.

1)      Is generic Propecia the right treatment for my hair loss?

2)      Are there any drug interactions or side effects that are directly associated with generic Propecia?

3)      How can I reduce the drug interactions and side effects of generic Propecia?

4)      How does generic Propecia differ from the name brand product manufactured by Merck?

5)      What types of food must be avoided while taking generic Propecia?

For example, soy isoflavones and saw palmetto supplements can interact with Propecia. Also, there have been cases where blood pressure medication can interact with generic Propecia.  For other patients, blood pressure medicine has intensified the impact of Propecia side effects.

If you have been diagnosed with a disease related to the kidneys, you should tell your physician before you start to take generic Propecia. The dosage level may have to be adjusted depending on your age and the state of your current health. 

Usually generic medications often work just as well as the name brands.  However, it is important to check with your Physician before taking any type of medication. Generic Propecia, even when ordered online, requires a prescription from a doctor.

Most doctors are more than happy to prescribe Propecia or another hair loss treatment in order to treat your receding hairline, thinning, or growing bald spot.  Make sure to ask your doctor all of the questions mentioned above. In most cases, generic Propecia is a safe and effective treatment for male pattern baldness.