Hair Loss Treatments
Medical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia (Male/Female Pattern Balding)
Topical minoxidil
Propecia / finasteride
Nizoral / ketoconazole – Ketoconazole is currently used as an antifungal agent in the treatment of fungal infections. Ketaconazole is also known to have anti androgenic effects and Ketoconozole can cause a reduction in the production of testosterone and other androgens by the adrenal gland and by the male and female reproductive organs. Nizoral shampoo contains 2% Ketoconazole and is often prescribed for the treatment of fungal infections of the scalp and sebbhoreic dermatitis, however as it has anti androgenic properties it is used by some individuals in combination with other treatments in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Medical Treatments for Women with Androgenetic Alopecia
Diane 35 (cyproterone acetate with ethinyloestradoil)
Tagamet / cimetidine
Androcular / cyproterone acetate
Spironolactone / aldactone
Natural treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia
Zinc
Saw palmetto extract
Gamma Linoic Acid
Vitamin B6
Polysorbate 80 – Polysorbate 80 is a cleanser that is found in many commercial hair products. It was one of the main original ingredients in the Helsinki Formula. Polysorbate 80 cause the release of histamine which is thought to be the main mechanism by which it promotes hair growth.
Treatments for Alopecia Areata
Cortocosteroids
Dithranol
Retin-A / tretinoin
PUVA – PUVA treatment involves taking a psoralen-light sensative drug and then undergoing a short exposure to UVA which is a long wave ultraviolet light.
Some patients do not respond to UVA treatment. It is estimated that the success rate is somewhere between 40-60 percent. The more recent the hair loss the more likely a response to treatment. Treatment normally takes between 3-6 months with sessions 2-3 times per week. Treatment time is about 3-5 minutes.
Immunosuppressive Drugs – Immunosuppressive drugs are normally used in transplant surgery to stop the immune system from rejecting the transplanted organ. It is thought that the same drugs should be able to suppress the immune systems action against the hair follicles which is considered to be the way in which Alopecia areata occurs.
The main drug used in preventing organ rejection is cyclosporin, this has been shown to be effective in regrowing hair lost due to Alopecia areata when it is taken systematically, however appears to have very little effect when applied topically.
The main problem with taking immunosuppressive drugs systematically is that it can led to a lowered resistance to infection and also leave patients more open to the possibility of tumors.