Most men will end up dealing with some level of male pattern hair loss progression in their lives. Whether you develop severe thinning, or extensive bald areas, it is hard to escape hair loss in your older years.
Hair is a symbol of youth, vitality, and can make men feel more attractive and appealing. And, while hair is in no way a requisite for looking and feeling great, it can play a big part in confidence levels and self-esteem for some men. For these reasons, if there were a medication or affordable procedure that could permanently and significantly “cure” baldness -- it would be a pharmaceutical grand slam. Unfortunately, that day is not yet here.
Below, we will cover if there is a cure for baldness, outline the two ways you would theoretically try to tackle the issue of male pattern hair loss, review the current treatments for baldness, and let you know what to expect realistically from the current medication options.
I will go ahead and spoil the ending by letting you know that science is not quite there yet when it comes to a “cure” for baldness. But, that does not mean progress has not been made.
While we do not have a magic pill, cream, or injection that can promise to revive long-dormant hair follicles, boost them back into the growth phase, and give you a complete 360 on your hair giving you the mane of a schoolboy again -- we are also not completely out of options.
The current medications available for male pattern baldness still hold a good amount of value when it comes to male hair loss concerns. But, the current treatments work best when they are started closer to the first signs of hair declines, and not when large swaths of unforested scalp abound.
To better understand why male baldness is such a hard problem to tackle, it is important to understand just what is going on underlying male pattern hair loss.
Male pattern hair loss occurs due to a genetic sensitivity to a hormonal by-product of Testosterone called DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). DHT interacts with hair follicles and damages and shrinks them. Over time, these hair follicles produce thinner and shorter strands of hair, fall out sooner, and may stop producing hair altogether.
Since we know what the underlying cause is of male pattern hair loss, there are two hypothetical treatment angles:
As far as current medications go for male pattern hair loss, you have two that are FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss and a few off-label options.
Minoxidil: This is a medication that can be used in men and women and is the active ingredient inside Rogaine. Minoxidil is thought to help with hair loss and thinning by helping to stimulate hair growth from the follicles and extend the growth phase of the hair cycle. It is not yet completely understood how Minoxidil does this, but part of the mechanism may include improved blood flow to the scalp.
Finasteride & Dutasteride: Finasteride and Dutasteride are in the same class of medications called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. This means that they help to inhibit the conversion of Testosterone into DHT. While they are both similar, Finasteride may inhibit DHT less strongly than Dutasteride. Also, Finasteride is FDA-approved for use in male pattern hair loss, while Dutasteride is considered an off-label use for this indication.
It is common to see both Minoxidil and a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used together for male pattern hair loss. And, combined use may give better hair loss results than using just one of these alone. Our topical Finasteride and topical Dutasteride formulations are combined with Minoxidil for just this reason.
Other treatments for baldness may be procedures. LLLT light therapy is a developing treatment that may stimulate hair growth. Also, hair replacement procedures are also an option that men may opt for when hair loss is extensive or you want noticeable results fast.
It is important to have realistic expectations in place when you are considering a medication for hair loss.
Once male pattern hair loss has begun, what you are really aiming for with treatment is a way to help keep the hair you currently have, more or less. While some lucky men may experience some degree of regrowth, that is not the main goal, and does not normally occur to a shocking extent.
Male pattern hair loss is a progressive condition. And, the first signs of thinning or balding may start as early as a man’s teens or twenties. The truth is that the sooner the treatments are started, the more likely that the progression will slow and be less extensive. Preservation and slowing the progression of male pattern hair loss is a successful hair loss treatment outcome for many men.
In men that already have significantly bald spots, or even just a horseshoe of hair around the sides and back of the head, it is unrealistic to expect hair to regrow on bald areas that have been bare for a while. In this situation, hair transplantation may be more suitable in order to achieve significant results. A hair loss doctor will be able to assess your current hair situation and give you realistic options.
Here at Strut, we offer a variety of male pattern hair loss medications to help you potentially slow the progression of your hair loss. While these are not considered “cures” and they will need to be continued in order to keep any improvements, they may successfully help you significantly maintain your current hair.
We don’t offer magic, or gimmicks, but we do offer the best of the current male pattern hair loss medications available along with information on realistic treatment expectations.
We carry oral and topical formulations to suit your goals and preferences, and use innovative combinations like Finasteride + Minoxidil (among others) to help amplify your end results.
If you are ready to try male pattern hair loss treatment with real medications, simply select an item you are considering and complete our free online questionnaire and image-based consultation with our U.S. licensed doctors in under 15 minutes. If you are a good candidate for treatment, your medication will be shipped from a U.S. compounding pharmacy to your front door with our free shipping.
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