Hair-Stimulating Medications
Minoxidil (Regaine®)
Minoxidil is a medication that has had long term testing in the treatment for hair loss. The drug was originally developed to treat high blood pressure and a side effect of causing hair growth was discovered.
We do not know how minoxidil works to cause hair growth, but we do know that in a small percentage of men and women terminal hair will re-grow. Of greater significance is the fact that the rate of hair loss appears to slow down. In fact the latest research shows that there is an eighty percent (80%) possibility of slowing down or even stopping the process of hair loss in men and women.
Minoxidil is supplied as a lotion that should ideally be applied twice daily to the scalp. The drug has been found to be free of side effects apart from the occasional allergic reaction or skin dryness. In general, 5% (extra strength) is recommended for men, while 2% (regular strength) is suggested for women.
Rogaine Minoxidil Foam 5% is now available at Farjo. This is a much easier form to apply and is based on a different alcohol making it almost free from any irritating skin or hair side-effects.
To make an order for lotion or foam or for more infomation please call us on 08453 132 131 or click here to send an email
Click here to link to information on our Minoxidil research project
Click here for further information on Regaine (Minoxidil) official website
Regaine® Foam
Finasteride (Propecia® or Proscar®)
Finasteride is taken orally in tablet form. It was originally and still is also used for the treatment of enlarged prostate glands (prostatic hyperplasia) where the mechanism of action is similar to the scalp.
It blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reducing its level in the body. Research shows that there is an 80% to 90% possibility of slowing down or even stopping the process of hair loss in cases of male pattern baldness. They also show that there is a 15-30% chance of a cosmetically significant increase in hair volume. Finasteride’s action only begins to ‘kick-in’ at 3-4 months, while results should begin to be apparent after around 6 months. Any benefits gained by using Finasteride will be lost within a few months of stopping use of the drug.
There is a small potential for side-effects because the drug is taken orally, and therefore affecting DHT throughout the body and not just the scalp. The commonest side-effects are sexual (1 in 200 or 0.5% possibility) specifically decreased libido or difficulty with getting or maintaining erections. Normal sexual function should return to normal 1-2 weeks after stopping use of the drug. If you persevere with Finasteride despite the side-effects, the body has a 60% chance of getting rid of the side-effects without stopping the drug.
The drug must not come into direct contact with a woman who has the potential to get pregnant. Direct contact at the dose recommended for hair means taking the drug by mouth directly or even handling broken tablets. A possible rare complication in the case of direct contact as above and being pregnant is genital deformities in the newborn if male. This is one of the reasons why this drug is not normally recommended for use in women’s hair loss.
A consultation with Dr Farjo may be required to fully discuss the benefits and other issues involved, following which it will be possible to make an order for the medication.
For more infomation or to make an appointment, please call us on 08453 132 131 or click here to send an email
Click here to link to Propecia official website for further information
DUTASTERIDE (Avodart®)
This works on a similar principle to finasteride, but on a more powerful level. To date, it is licensed for treatment of enlarged prostates but not for hair loss. Although research has shown that it is more effective than finasteride in combating hair loss, the potential side effects are more common.
A consultation with Dr Farjo is required to fully discuss the benefits, possible side effects and the licencing issue, following which it will be possible to make an order for the medication.
For more infomation or to make an appointment, please call us on 08453 132 131 or click here to send an email
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