Hair Loss Treatment Medicine

If we want to have a scientific view on hair loss, we can say that hair loss is mainly hereditary and cannot be definitively solved with hair loss treatment and hair strengthening drugs. According to theory, scientists and experts consider hair transplantation to be the only solution to treat hereditary hair loss. In the following, we will explain some of the common drugs and medicines that are used in for hair loss.

Also, never forget that the use of any medication and drug, therapeutic and diagnostic measures should be done after examining your doctor and reviewing your medical records at his discretion.

Topical Minoxidil

Topical minoxidil prevents hair loss and thinning and stimulates new hair growth. It can be given to people with a variety of hair loss complications, including male and female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia;

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body, including hair follicles;

Telogen effluvium disease, which causes hair loss due to disruption of the hair production cycle in the body; Anagen effluvium or rapid hair loss that occurs due to the use of certain treatments such as chemotherapy;

Hypothyroidism is a rare disease that causes very fine hairs to grow on the scalp and body and also helps with some forms of hair loss caused by injuries and scars.

How this drug works in the treatment of hair loss is not well known yet, but many people have been able to achieve very good results by taking it. Although minoxidil can be obtained without a prescription, try to consult a hair specialist to get the best results. Your doctor can determine the exact cause of your hair loss and determine which minoxidil (2% or 5%) is best for you. In addition, your hair specialist can show you how to use this medicine properly.

Minoxidil is produced in the form of foam or liquid. For best results, the drug should be applied directly to the scalp twice a day. Of course, it may take 4 months to a year for the hair to become thicker. You may also experience more hair loss early in the course of taking this medicine, and even this hair loss may continue until one or two months later.

After about 6 months, the hair specialist will evaluate the progress of the treatment and the effectiveness of the medication. To do this, your doctor will compare current photos of your scalp with photos taken at the beginning of the treatment period and count the number of new hairs per unit area of ​​the scalp. If the results are satisfactory for you, you can continue taking this medicine for as long as necessary, but if you stop taking the medicine, severe hair loss will often start again.

Minoxidil side effects have been reported very rarely, but can include redness and tenderness of the scalp and facial hair growth.

Oral finasteride

Finasteride is a medicine prescribed for the hair loss treatment with male and female pattern or androgenetic alopecia. This medicine reduces the hair loss and stimulates new hair growth. It works by blocking the production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles in the body. It is taken orally once a day and is effective when taken at a specific time each day. The effects of finasteride will be visible after about 4 months, but you can usually see a noticeable increase in hair growth up to a year later. Your doctor will review the progress of the results after about 6 months to determine if it is beneficial for you to continue taking this medicine. If the effect of the medicine is good, the treatment can be continued until the hair growth and density reaches the desired level, but if the drug is stopped, hair loss may begin again.

Side effects of finasteride are very rare, but can include erectile dysfunction and depression.

Anti-androgen medicine

Antiandrogens are medicines that block the activity of androgen hormones. Androgens are sex hormones that destroy or damage hair follicles. Thus, anti-androgen medicine can stop female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia in women.

You can get Antiandrogen medicines only with a doctor’s prescription. These medicine include spironolactone and contraceptives, the same contraceptive pills that contain estrogen. Antiandrogen medicine usually show their effect after 4 months. To prevent hair loss again, it is necessary to use this medicine for a long time.

Anti-androgen medicine can cause a variety of side effects, including menstrual irregularities and drowsiness. Women who are planning to become pregnant should not use these medicines.

Corticosteroid medicine

Some types of hair loss are caused by autoimmune diseases, and their treatment will be completely different from cases of hair loss caused by hormonal disorders. Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs, including the skin and hair follicles, and sometimes completely destroys healthy hair follicles.

Corticosteroid medicines are used to treat patients suffering from alopecia areata, lichen planus, and lupus erythematosus. These medicines play an important role in suppressing the immune system and therefore can disrupt the effects of autoimmune diseases and allow hair regrowth. Steroids are available as oral or injectable solutions and require a doctor’s prescription. Your doctor will determine which corticosteroid medication is best for you based on your age and the severity of your symptoms.

For children with coin hair loss, you can use a topical steroid cream on the scalp or body at the onset of symptoms. In adults, a hair specialist may inject a steroid on the scalp or body. Up to 80 injections at the bald spot may be given per treatment session.

Steroid therapy sessions can be scheduled every 4 to 6 weeks. Hair regrowth will begin one to two months after starting treatment. If your hair does not grow or you cannot tolerate the needles used for steroid injections, your doctor may prescribe the oral form of these medications for 8 to 10 weeks. If after about 6 months, no noticeable results obtained from these medicines, the treatment process should be stopped.

Topical and injectable corticosteroids have some side effects, including allergies and itching of the scalp that can lead to sores, thinning of the scalp, and redness or puffiness of the face. In addition, oral administration of these medicines can weaken the immune system and reduce the body’s ability to fight viral or bacterial infections.

Antifungal Medications If your hair loss is due to a fungal infection called ringworm in your hair, your hair specialist will prescribe an antifungal medication that you should take orally every day. It often takes one to two months to see the results of taking this medicine, and treatment with this medicine usually lasts for several months until the fungus that causes the disease is completely eliminated. If treatment for this condition is started immediately after the onset of symptoms, excellent results can be achieved in terms of hair regrowth.

Side effects of antifungal medications can include itching and pimples, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Other Medications Many types of hair loss can be treated with a combination of different medications to get good results from their treatment. Your hair specialist may also include antibiotics to prevent the immune system from invading healthy hair cells. He or she may also prescribe anti-malarial medicines to reduce inflammation of the scalp. Your hair specialist will give you information about each of these medications and fully explain the benefits, risks and possible side effects of these medications.