Hair Loss Products and Solutions
What can you do to safely regain control of your appearance and help restore your hair's original texture?

Here are today's most commonly recommended options:

Rogaine (2% and 5% minoxidil)

· Rogaine for Men, available since 1988, is a 2% minoxidil topical solution that works on hair follicles to reverse their shrinking process to stimulate new growth on the top of your scalp. Rogaine for Men Extra Strength, available since 1997, is a 5% minoxidil topical solution.

· All Rogaine products can be purchased in most food and drug stores, as well as discount and club outlets. Rogaine can also be purchased on the Internet from online drugstores and other "e-tailers.".

· Rogaine For Men Extra Strength has been proven to regrow hair or stop hair loss when used as directed.

· Rogaine products have undergone extensive clinical testing, and have shown a clinically proven safety record over the last 10 years.

· Rogaine products go to the root of the hair follicle and revitalize miniaturized hair follicles to regrow new hair. With continued use of Rogaine, hair follices' growth phases become longer, and they produce longer, thicker hairs.

· Rogaine For Men Extra Strength for Men costs approximately $20 - $30 per month, or less than a dollar per day.

· Rogaine products are clear liquid treatments that are applied directly to the scalp on the top of your head.

· For best results, it is important to use the product twice each day, as directed, and to be patient as you check for results. Some men notice results, such as hair regrowth, less hair in brush, or bathroom sink, in as little as a few months. But to see your best results, it can take up to a year.

· Rogaine must be taken continually for as long as you choose to keep your newly regrown hair. If you stop using it your regrown hair will start to fall out after 2-4 months.

· The most common side effects associated with Rogaine use are itching, scaling and irritation. Since Rogaine is a topical solution, systemic side effects are only infrequently observed.

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Propecia® (finasteride)

· Propecia is a hair loss medication for men, taken orally (in the form of a pill).

· Available by prescription only, Propecia costs about $60 a month, and is usually not covered by health insurance.

·Propecia was approved by the FDA as a prescription drug in 1997.

· Propecia is a smaller dosage (1mg) of an existing drug called Proscar (finasteride 5mg), used to treat the enlarged prostate gland. It has demonstrated the ability to help stop hair thinning and hair loss, and promotes hair growth in men with mild-to-moderate hair loss.

· Propecia blocks male hormones that contribute to hair loss.

· Propecia has been found to cause impotence, reduced sex drive and lower sperm count in a small percentage of users.

· As with Rogaine, Propecia must be taken continually, or hair loss will start again at the pretreated rate.

Hairpieces

· An option for men who experience hair thinning or hair loss, hairpieces can be made from either synthetic or natural hair, and are usually glued to the scalp.

· Some hairpieces must be removed each night; others can be worn for up to a month at a time.

· Costs can vary widely, ranging from $500 to $3,500 and up, primarily because real hair is far more costly than synthetic hair.

· Service visits are necessary for refitting about every six weeks; costs per visit range from $50 to $75 and higher.

· Hairpieces need to be replaced periodically.

· Not covered by any health insurance.

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Transplants

· The most drastic option, hair transplants, involves surgery in efforts to recreate a natural-looking hair pattern. The procedure involves removing healthy hair follicles and transplanting them to bald areas of the scalp.

· There are different methods of surgery; grafting, the most common method, replaces individual hairs with hair plugs, while excising replaces the thinning area with another piece of skin with more hair follicles.

· Because all hair transplant methods require surgery, they present such risks as swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, scarring or numbness.

· Hair transplants can be costly, ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the procedure. Grafting costs between $5 and $30 per graft, or about $1,500 to $9,000 for a standard transplant of 300 grafts.

· Hair loss may develop in the region behind the transplanted area, making additional procedures necessary.

· Some practitioners will do an entire procedure in one day, while others prefer to do multiple procedures over several weeks.

· As this surgery is costly and involves some risks, it is recommended to consult
your dermatologist and stylist before choosing this procedure.

· Not covered by any health insurance.

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Conclusion

The greatest hurdle in this process can be the choice to take action, and determine the best way to treat your thinning hair. By gaining control of this seemingly difficult situation, you can discover the rewards of once again looking your best.

As you've discovered here at the Rogaine Center for Hair, you have a choice from a range of effective treatments. Select among a topical solution like Rogaine, which does not require prescription; the prescription pill Propecia, or other alternatives such as weaves or hairpieces that can bring back the appearance of your own hair.

If your hair loss concerns you and has been a source of stress or anxiety, taking action will make you feel better. Regardless of what method you chose, the decision to be proactive, and a plan to improve your appearance, is an exciting one.

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