Propecia

In regrowing hair some have used propecia (also known as Proscar or Finasteride) and Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine) to complement hair transplants. The drugs can hold thinning hair lines, while hair transplants restore the areas that already are bald. Call it a defensive/offensive plan to cure baldness.

Holding the (Hair) Line - From research on and off the Internet, the consensus seems to be that THE two most effective drug treatments for combating hair loss are Finasteride (also known as Proscar, or Propecia) and Minoxidil (also sold as Rogaine). These two hair loss drugs are the only two currently approved by the FDA as "safe" drugs that have shown evidence of regrowing hair. Note - Propecia, however, is not to be used by women.

The FDA just recently approved a new drug called Dutasteride, which recent studies indicate may produce even better hair regrowth than Propecia. This drug works in a similar manner as Propecia in that it inhibits the production of (DHT) Dyhytestosterone in the body. DHT is known to be a catalyst in the balding process. Dutasteride is also not safe for use by women. (See the FDA Report)

Proscar - Merk Pharmaceuticals brand for Finasteride	Rogaine - Upjohn's brand for Minoxidil

That doesn't mean that the numerous other substances people use aren't effective, they're just not formally approved for use as hair loss treatments.

However, Rogaine and Propecia, used in combination by men, are considered by many experts (researchers, doctors, and thousands of hair regrowth junkies) to be the best drug treatment for baldness currently available. The two drugs have a synergistic and complementary effect on the thinning balding scalp.

Rogaine is applied topically to the scalp and works by increasing the blood flow to the scalp surrounding the thinning or balding areas. It has been found to be marginally effective in retaining or growing hair in the crown (top of the scalp in the back of the head). For some reason it does little if anything in restoring hair to the front hairline area. Rogaine (minoxidil) can be used safely by both men and women.

For most men Rogaine only regrows a thin coverage of thin hair, if even that. Its real strength may be in helping you retain your hair or in slowing the thinning process. Some people quit using it because they came to think of it a "Nogain." But then they could start shedding hair in the back of the head rapidly and got back on it again. That's the devils bargain you make with Rogaine, if you ever stop using it you will lose what ever it may have given you.

Fortunately Rogaine is now available without a prescription and can be purchased in generic formulas over the counter that are half the price of the Upjohn pharmaceutical companies name brand "Rogaine." However, if you want the stronger 5% you may need to by the brand name "Rogaine 5%".

Finasteride (sold by Merck as Proscar or Propecia) is generally more effective than Rogaine based on study results. Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription drug taken orally in pill form. It works by inhibiting the conversion of the hormone testosterone into Dyhytestosterone (DHT). Dyhytestosterone, or DHT, which is thought to be an active ingredient in causing hair loss.
DHT binds with receptor sites in those hair follicles that are genetically susceptible to baldness (a receptor is an arrangement of molecules organized to accept or "bind to" only molecules with a complimentary shape - in this case DHT). DHT appears to cause follicles to enter their resting phase faster and shed.

Gradually each successive growing/shedding cycle results in the production of finer and finer (less thick) hair being produced by the affected follicles, until the hair never breaks the surface of the skin. Once DHT binds to large numbers of receptors on the scalp, the follicles are gradually shut down and eventually become dormant resulting in hair loss.

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